the kicker

How* to Get a Book Deal! (*If your name is Meghan McCain!)

April 10, 2009

Dear Young Journalists:

Is it a dream of yours to write a book? Are you thinking that now might be the time? Some tips:

1. Have a topic you’re passionate about. Your political vision, your love life, etc.
2. Get your name out there. Blog. On your own site. Or on The Daily Beast, maybe.
3. Engage in a high-publicity feud with a divisive journalistic figure. Laura Ingraham, perhaps.
4. Be the offspring of a political celebrity. John McCain, ideally.

Oh, maybe we should have listed that last one first. In a move that will surprise precisely no one, Meghan McCain–blogger, pundit, famous political offspring–has signed a book deal. Indeed, the only thing moderately unexpected about the move is this delightfully fanciful line, from the New York Observer‘s report about the deal (emphasis mine):

Sources say Hyperion has prevailed over at least three other publishers in an auction that began earlier this week, following a round of meetings during which the in-your-face young conservative and the literary agent she shares with her father, Sterling Lord Literistic president Flip Brophy, discussed a number of possible approaches to the book with editors around town.

Perhaps McCain will be writing a prequel to “The Jabberwocky,” or something, this might make you think? Or a sequel to her 2008 tome-in-pictures, My Dad, John McCain?

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Nah. “It will probably have something to do with the future of the Republican party, and how it must change to attract the votes of modern young people.”

Well, then. My breath is officially bated.

Megan Garber is an assistant editor at the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University. She was formerly a CJR staff writer.