Want to watch how a bestselling book comes to life? Watch the next 30
days in the life of Amanda Knox, the young Seattle girl who was just acquitted of murder in Italy. While the murder itself is tragic and is clearly unsolved, the details in Amanda’s life are pretty predictable. She will receive offers from hundreds of sources in the media. She’ll be offered millions for interviews and book deals.
In working with authors I find that many have compelling personal stories that can be woven into their writing. But this very public incident will confirm the importance of having an audience. If you have a great story but no audience you will not have a bestselling book. If you have a strange story but a big audience, you can have a guaranteed bestseller. No one wishes for tragedy in their own lives but then we seem eager to read all the details about tragedy in someone else’s life.
Amanda has all the components of a best-seller: she’s a young, attractive woman caught up in a world-watched story involving sex, murder, race, judicial upheaval, and intrigue. It appears to be a story where the truth may be stranger than fiction.
Interviews, book and movie rights will be worth millions.
I know it’s frustrating for authors to have a great message, knowing that it could bring hope, encouragement and inspiration to many, only to have it languish on the shelves. I am not glamorizing what we will see in Amanda Knox’s future – only pointing out the inevitable explosion of voyeurism we will see in the coming days.
However, let me assure you. The slow way of building credibility, reputation and respect is more long-lasting. I sell books to the friends I’ve developed over years of teaching, blogging, podcasting and writing. Amanda’s publisher will sell to strangers and spectators.
