With all due respect to Thomas Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt, I'm calling bullshit on his assertion here that the Lynn Spears book was not and never has been "a book on parenting." Yeah, maybe not now, but that's not what Thomas Nelson reps were saying back when the deal was announced:
“We’ve signed her to a deal,” a spokesman for Thomas Nelson tells Us. The book, which will be coming out next Mother’s Day is titled Pop Culture Mom: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World.
“It’s a parenting book that’s going to have faith elements to it. I don’t think it’s totally been written yet,” says the publisher’s rep, who expects the manuscript by December.
Someone over there thought it was a parenting book. And I stand by my original opinion that this was the dumbest book signing ever, right up there with Judith Regan's O.J. Simpson deal.
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[UPDATE]:
In comments, Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson, writes:
Contrary to what the media has reported, it's not a book on parenting. It never has been. It's a memoir.
Okie dokie.
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Amid the news that Britney Spears’ 16-year-old little sister is pregnant comes this bizarre sidebar:
Lynne Spears's book about raising her famous daughters Britney and Jamie Lynn has been put on hold, the publisher confirms to PEOPLE.
"The book is delayed indefinitely. It's delayed, not cancelled," says a spokeswoman for Thomas Nelson, which publishes inspirational books and Bibles.
It had been scheduled for a spring 2008 release and was put on hold last week, says the rep. On Tuesday, news hit that 16-year-old Jamie Lynn is pregnant with her boyfriend's child.
Lynn Spears was writing a book on Christian parenting? Are you kidding? Someone thought this was a good idea?
Thomas Nelson is a Nashville-based Christian publishing house, the largest Christian publisher in the industry with nearly one-third of the marketshare (according to the CEO ‘s blog).
This is a big, big business. I just can’t believe someone thought Lynn Spears had anything valuable to say about Christian parenting, unless it’s that she sucks at it. Of course, in this modern era of church-as-capitalism, no doubt the potential profits and crossover appeal were too tempting for Thomas Nelson turn down.
I also really like the “it's delayed, not cancelled” bit. I hate to sound cynical but let’s be real here: the only reason to delay a book like this is to wait for the dust to settle and Mama Spears to come up with her “it was a really tough time but prayer got me through it” spiel.
Sorry, but I’ve seen this movie too many times already.
