Since we're speaking about book deals, might as well mention Hill Harper's recent one. After the unexpected success of his LETTERS TO A YOUNG BROTHER, the actor and Ivy League graduate received a two-book deal from Gotham Books (the same imprint with the deep pockets that shelled out more than $1 million for a parenting book by Rev Run and wife Justine).According to Publishers Lunch, Harper's first book will LETTERS TO A YOUNG SISTER. Hmm, okay. It will be interesting to see what Harper has to say to young women. His second book is tentatively called THE CONVERSATION, which I hear is about male-female relationships.
I'm sure Harper's aggressive promotion of his first LETTERS (I've seen it and him everywhere) had a lot to do with it's success and this subsequent deal.
He's carving out a nice, new niche for himself as a self-help author who's smart and nice to look at. I think a talk show is next.
Comments: (23)
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By: Butta on 6/14/2007 5:05PM
Congrats to Hill. That's a good look for him. I haven't read his first book but I'm intrigued by what he has on deck.
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By: I press on 6/15/2007 3:07AM
I absolutely LOVE this brotha here...he is just awesome! I know he will do MORE great things, I look forward to seeing them.
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By: Khadija on 6/15/2007 10:22AM
Go 'head on, brotha! I love Hill and can't wait to get this book!
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By: Annika on 6/15/2007 3:56PM
He makes me WET...sorry, he just does. He's doing great things.
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By: A on 6/15/2007 11:03PM
Hill Harper is a very intelligent black man, not to mention fine as wine. I think he is a great actor and deserved much success and respect. HE is trying to help young black men. If we had more black men like him, this world would be a better place. As black women we need to embrace who we are as a people, our history and strength. We have survived all that the world has thrown at us. We are not the "IT" Girls in hollywood, they don't think we can sell in films. For example "Hitch" they said it would not sell if Will Smith had a black women in the lead. I love Will Smith but I don't like the industry and we need to do like Tiley Perry and make our own films.
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By: Sunny on 6/16/2007 6:25PM
Felicia, what you you mean by "pseudo" self-help? Is his opinion any less valid than anyone else's, give or take a psychology degree? Is one required to offer common sense on how to conduct oneself like a well-balanced, well-adjusted adult?
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By: Barbara Smith on 6/18/2007 12:16PM
Thank you, Sunny, for your response to Felicia. You're right about common sense. However, since Felicia thinks it's "pseudo" advice, without a degree, that it is JUST his opinion, I'll do her homework for her. His book deals were not based on his being an actor, rather on the need to share the work he has been doing with young people for YEARS. The success of that work had created a model which is being used by many others, a model of how and what to do that works. His credentials include not one degree but several from schools even more prestigious than Yale, where he got his first; they are impeccable for someone giving advice to young people. There's nothing "false/pseudo" about them. Felicia might also need to go back to school and re-learn? the definitive difference between FACT and OPINION. To the other "ladies", read his book to young men and you'll conclude that one piece of advice he implies is to stay away from people like you!
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By: Annika on 6/18/2007 6:01PM
Go Head Bro!!
Great comments Barbara and Sunny. I love Hill and his advice. I think it's practical and wonderful. Like you two said...when you've got one three degrees from Ivy League schools, you don't need to have a psychology degree.
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By: Just Saying on 6/19/2007 4:30AM
Go Hill Harper
This is what I mean, Progressive Blacks Standing up and lending a hand to a our weaker brothers and sisters who need guidance.
It's such a WONDERFUL image to see that people in our race is trying. I was holding my breath about the success of his book.
Am so happy we proved the publishers wrong and his book was a success, they told him they were concerned because Black people don't READ.
P.S. Felicia does seem to have a SARCASTIC undertone, am in the same line of work, as an activist, I will keep a lookout for her name.
Never ever fight POSITIVE ENERGY, even if you WISH you where in that person's shoes---PATHETIC.
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