This week we were asked which celebrity we would want to hold up one of our books to tell the world that they should read it. There are of course the obvious answers like Oprah or Reese Witherspoon who share with their fans the books that they love. These two get the word out about books and people listen. While I would love if they decided to share one of my books they are not the first ones who popped into my mind when asked this question.
You see, for me I would want the celebrity to be someone who I could picture portraying one of my characters. So, for me I think I would have to say that I would want Richard Armitage to possibly proclaim a fondness for Love Overcomes and a desire to portray Jeremy. He comes across as a man who loves the written word and bringing characters he enjoys to life on the screen and stage.
I do not believe that he has a big social media following like many celebrities have so while him holding up one of my books and saying it is a good read might not boost sales it would boost my confidence. Which is something that writers need a lot of in order to put their works out there for others to devour and pick apart.
It would be even more amazing if he would recommend the book to be made into a movie. Can actors do that? Do you think they have the pull to get a book they love turned into a feature film? I have heard of actors who start their own production companies so they can work on projects that they really want to work on.
Like I said if I wanted my book held up just for a boost in sales ranks and to make the USA Today bestseller list then I should wish for Oprah to hold up one of my books. However if anyone,whether the teacher who lives down the street from me, Peter Jackson (my favorite director), The Queen of England, or the gas station attendant who works around the corner were to hold up one of my books and proclaim, “Hey everybody should read this!” Then I would be so incredibly elated. Someone thought well enough of my writing to recommend it to others! That single recommendation makes all the difference.
Is there someone you would want to talk about your books?
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
Good answers! As for celebs saying that they want pictures to be made, it depends on their ‘clout’, that is, recent box-office successes. You are right about some of them starting companies, but you will see also on many credits that the stars are named as ‘producers’. That often means that they were either involved in getting the movie made or that they have enough clout to call some of the shots, (like if they really don’t want to work with certain actors, they can make sure they aren’t cast).
I remember hearing that Joan Crawford complained that every time she found a vehicle for her career and took it to Irving Thalberg, (who was big at the Paramount and MGM studios), he’d make the movie, but his wife, Norma Shearer, would get the role. “How can I compete? She sleeps with the producer!” Joan said.
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I’m with you one the “I’d be happy if anyone gave my book a shoutout.” You’ll see some of my more celebrity choices tomorrow.
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I’ve never heard of this actor (Richard Armitage) but I love your notion of securing the promo services of someone who is not only a big reader and a celebrity, but an actor who would love to bring one of your characters to the screen.
As for actors bringing properties to the screen, I know of several who have purchased the rights to stories (novels, plays, whatever), with precisely that in mind. One that pops in mind is Katherine Hepburn, who bought the rights to something that later became a hit.
Also, I’ve long awaited a screen treatment of Walker Percy’s “The Moviegoer” — the rights for which (as I recall) were purchased by actress Karen Black. She’s not too well known now, but a few decades ago, she was quite recognizable.
I’ve heard of many others. Some have languished for years and years waiting on the right producer, right director, or whatever. But some have moved right on down the chute into the silver screen.
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Kate Hepburn certainly had the ‘clout’! Of course, then you have Sylvester Stallone who could have sold out cheap and had Hollywood ruin “Rocky”, (they wanted to cast Burt Reynolds!). He stuck to his guns.
You may not hear much about Karen Black. She got mixed up big time in Scientology. Don’t get me started. (I have first-hand experience with those people.)
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I think it might not hurt. His fans (we) read a lot of things that he suggests. And a lot of fans bought the paper copy of one of his most recent audiobooks (The Tattooist of Auschwitz), which has now gotten on a bestseller list. Maybe it would have made it there anyway, of course. But I agree on the whole the fandom is too small to move markets.
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