Sep 15 2008
Leading Christian Publisher to Release Memoir from Britney’s Mom
The mother of Britney Spears says that the singer has overcome the tabloid nightmares of the past few years and believes that that little by little, her daughter is regaining her “glorious voice.”
Lynne Spears writes of her famous child and her other celebrity daughter, Jamie Lynn, in “Through the Storm,” to be published Sept. 16 by Thomas Nelson, a leading Christian publisher. The Associated Press obtained an early copy.
The 211-page book, which includes several pages of family photographs, tracks Britney Spears’ life through her precocious early years - she was singing and dancing by the time she was 3 - through her explosive rise to her pill-addicted, near-tragic fall.
Lynne Spears describes young Britney as a confident, outgoing girl whose talents were so obvious that family friends would insist she would one day be on Broadway. Spears rejects the image that she pushed Britney into show business, and writes that the singer was always focused on achievement and would constantly practice to the music of Madonna, Whitney Houston and others.
In “Through the Storm,” Lynne Spears presents herself as a loving, selfless (she gave up her job as a school teacher for her daughter’s sake) but increasingly powerless parent. After the jolting, but pleasant surprise of Britney Spears’ debut smash, ” … Baby One More Time,” Lynne Spears says she felt she was losing control when a 1999 Rolling Stone magazine story featured a racy cover of the singer in panties and a bra.
Read more here.
[From me]
What? Look, if she wants to write a memoir that is her business. I know that publishers want to make money but why would a Christian publisher publish a book by anyone in the Spears family? What help could she give a Christian family except keep your children out of show business? What about those who are trying to publish books that might actually help someone in their faith? I guess money means more than integrity even in Christian Publishing.
What do you think?
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8 responses so far
Appears to me that for years much of Christian publishing has been about $$$$$$ not content. There have been some truly awful books that have made it to the top of the bestseller list because of “the name.” Can anyone say JO? But this is beyond description. What’s next? Jessica Simpson’s dad writing on how to be a youth pastor and quit to push your child’s career? Thomas Nelson ought to be ashamed for stooping this low. As I read what you wrote and the full report it was like a mom trying to justify wayward actions and straying from the faith. My .02 worth
P.S. I hope you find yourself a publisher K. Now that is one book I will read.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..The Ugliness of Prejudice
Bill said, “Appears to me that for years much of Christian publishing has been about $$$$$$ not content.”
While this book is certainly not worthy of a Christian book publisher, I would be careful not to lump all Christian publishers together. That’s the same as saying all pastors are bad because a few are child molesters…
Was this book a wise choice? Definitely not. However, for whatever reason, Thomas Nelson believed the book should be published. As Kevin is finding out or will soon find out, having a book published is next to impossible for a new writer. Without having connections, rarely does an unpublished writer get published.
Remember when you were 16 and you went to apply for a job. The person interviewing said, “What experience do you have?” And you had to say, “None sir.” His reply? “Well, we are looking for someone with experience!” How do you get experience without being able to get the first job. How do you get published without publishing your first book?
The Spears family is a known name. It will sell a few books…not many, but some. Did you know that the average book today says less than 1,000 copies? 98% of all books that go to print sell less than 1,000…so, maybe we are making too much of this because few people will actually read her book…Will it get hype? It already has. Will it be a best seller? Not on your life?
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Fast and Furious
I just read where the book has already hit the top 300 just from pre-order sales. I guess that’s why they published it.
jonathan’s last blog post..today’tomorrow
Seems more like it should be an Entertainment Tonight story instead of a Christian book. But, who knows? I haven’t read it so . . .
Michael’s last blog post..Big Z No-Hitter!!!
I’m with Michael. Who really knows until we read it? Could be one of the most spiritually profitable books published this year…and it could also be no better than a tabloid. I’d like to give Thomas Nelson the benefit of the doubt and wait to see before deciding it is nothing more than “$$$$$$ not content.”
Shane’s last blog post..Stormtrooper Regret
I have read all the responses and I agree with Steve. I am not lumping all Christian publishers into one group and if I did I apologize for that assumption. Steve does bring a unique perspective to the discussion because of his work in publishing. I stand ready to apologize if I am proven wrong and was too caustic. or sarcastic. I am also not saying it will be a totally worthless book since one can learn something from anyone even if it comes in through the back door.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..One of those AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH Moments
Bill…I personally don’t think an apology is necessary…you shared your thoughts, and I only slightly disagreed with you…but, hey, that was just my opinion…:)
There is probably something of value in the book…to somebody…now, will Thomas Nelson be getting any of my money from it? Not on your life! I don’t think I’ll even be using my library card to check it out…
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..The Price of Integrity
M Steve Hartsill
What’s a library card? Is it something I plug in to my PC? I don’t think my laptop has a slot for that type of card.
bloginafogpastor’s last blog post..Blessings and Unity