Extend your 15 minutes of fame with a book

NEW YORK - Heidi and Spencer Pratt did it. So did Kate Gosselin and Omarosa.

These "reality stars" all have published books, extending another minute or two the 15 minutes of fame that Andy Warhol once predicted for everyone.

Now trying to stretch those minutes into hours are some of the current crop of "The Real Housewives." Eight women from the Bravo franchise have penned books - most with the help of a ghost writer.

Jill Zarin from "The Real Housewives of New York" got the idea to write a book from feedback she received to a scene last year in which her mother gives advice to cast member Bethenny Frankel. "Secrets of a Jewish Mother" comes out in April. In it, Zarin, her mother Gloria Kamen and sister Lisa Wexler share stories from their own lives and dispense advice on everything from friendship to money.

Last week's episode of "The Real Housewives of New York City" (now in its third season) features Zarin, her mother and sister at a photo shoot for the book cover.

Barnes & Noble's vice president of merchandising, Patricia Bostelman, expects Zarin's book to do well.

"The books that have done the best are the books that are really woven into the plot of the show," Bostelman said.

If that's the case, then Danielle Staub of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" should have a best seller. Her book, "The Naked Truth," will be released in June. Much of the New Jersey show's first season focused on the discovery of a 1995 book that revealed Staub's 1986 federal prosecution for possession of cocaine and extortion.

"Danielle's story is incredibly moving and inspirational. ... Her book 'The Naked Truth' is just that - a no-holds-barred account from a true survivor," Jennifer Bergstrom, vice president and editor-in-chief of Gallery Books, a division of Simon and Schuster, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. The book has a first printing of 150,000 copies.

Fellow castmate Teresa Giudice is releasing a book of Italian recipes in May called "Skinny Italian."

Like Warhol's ephemeral 15 minutes, the "Real Housewives" books are merely a short-lived trend, Bostelman said. They can sell well, but their shelf life tends to run out. The most important factor is whether the books have broad appeal.

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Home Site Map Advertise For Sale Subscribe to our Monthly Email Newsletter	Book Steps Extend your 15 minutes of fame with a book NEW YORK - Heidi and Spencer Pratt did it. So did Kate Gosselin and Omarosa. These "reality stars" all have published books, extending another minute or two the 15 minutes of fame that Andy Warhol once predicted for everyone. Now trying to stretch those minutes into hours are some of the current crop of "The Real Housewives." Eight women from the Bravo franchise have penned books - most with the help of a ghost writer. Jill Zarin from "The Real Housewives of New York" got the idea to write a book from feedback she received to a scene last year in which her mother gives advice to cast member Bethenny Frankel. "Secrets of a Jewish Mother" comes out in April. In it, Zarin, her mother Gloria Kamen and sister Lisa Wexler share stories from their own lives and dispense advice on everything from friendship to money. Last week's episode of "The Real Housewives of New York City" (now in its third season) features Zarin, her mother and sister at a photo shoot for the book cover. Barnes & Noble's vice president of merchandising, Patricia Bostelman, expects Zarin's book to do well. "The books that have done the best are the books that are really woven into the plot of the show," Bostelman said. If that's the case, then Danielle Staub of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" should have a best seller. Her book, "The Naked Truth," will be released in June. Much of the New Jersey show's first season focused on the discovery of a 1995 book that revealed Staub's 1986 federal prosecution for possession of cocaine and extortion. "Danielle's story is incredibly moving and inspirational. ... Her book 'The Naked Truth' is just that - a no-holds-barred account from a true survivor," Jennifer Bergstrom, vice president and editor-in-chief of Gallery Books, a division of Simon and Schuster, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. The book has a first printing of 150,000 copies. Fellow castmate Teresa Giudice is releasing a book of Italian recipes in May called "Skinny Italian." Like Warhol's ephemeral 15 minutes, the "Real Housewives" books are merely a short-lived trend, Bostelman said. They can sell well, but their shelf life tends to run out. The most important factor is whether the books have broad appeal. Continue reading the rest of "Extend your 15 minutes of fame with a book" by Athens Banner-Herald © 2009 http://onlineathens.com - Athens Banner-Herald - All rights reserved. Rate This Article: Comment on "Extend your 15 minutes of fame with a book" Your Name Your Comments Verification Code: 6P3NSV Enter Code: LeBron reveals pot use in book CLEVELAND - LeBron James struggled with sudden fame after appearing on Sports Illustrated's cover as a 17-year-old and admits he smoked marijuana during his junior year in high school. Phelps, his bulldog featured in new kids book SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Michael Phelps, children’s book author? Yes, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist has a new book in stores titled “How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals.” Outdoors: Inspired by region's magnificence, UGA environmentalist writes new book Anyone who visits Great Smoky Mountains National Park can see that the forest changes the higher one climbs toward the mountain crest. Author defends acupuncture in new book Acupuncture could be voodoo mind over matter or an Eastern treatment that releases endorphins and promotes blood flow to reduce inflammation and strengthen muscles and connective tissue. Hardly textbook style, 'Mrs. O' look gets book NEW YORK - Mary Tomer is the first to acknowledge she's not the biggest fashion follower - or she wasn't until Michelle Obama burst onto the media scene. Since then, Tomer has become an almost daily chronicler of the first lady's wardrobe on her blog, Mrs-O.org, which now boasts site traffic from 221 countries and territories. Obama starts vacation with new summer book VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. - In the first full day of a Martha's Vineyard vacation, President Obama set aside some of the cares of office Friday to work on his family's summer reading list. Writing Book Reviews Need to write a book review Whether for a school requirement or a professional gig, book reviews are always an interesting work on, with little requirements in terms of formalities and plenty of flexibility when it comes to style and form Obama half brother, George Obama, working on book NEW YORK - Another Obama relative has a book deal. A memoir by George Obama, the president’s half brother and a resident of Huruma, Kenya, will be published by Simon & Schuster in January 2010.