When Money Talks, Publishers Listen

Have you heard about this summer's hottest book, a memoir titled The Tell? Everyone I know has been talking about it for months. This due to the fact that the author has been on a whirlwind press tour including appearances on Oprah, Gwenyth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon’s shows.

Well, big news. The New York Times recently published a devastating investigation into author Amy Griffin’s memories of sexual abuse, which she says she recovered during MDMA therapy. While these accusations are troubling, I’m not concerned here with the veracity of her tale. 

What struck me most as I read the long article on The Tell was something else entirely: The raw power of privilege in publishing.

Let me break it down. A billionaire New York socialite who sits on the Board of the Met wrote a book (with a ghostwriter, of course!). Within months, she had Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, and Jenna Bush Hager promoting her work together for the first time in history. She landed a nearly $1 million advance. The book hit The New York Times bestseller list for months.

Amy Griffin’s secret? It wasn't her writing. It wasn't even her story. It was her Rolodex and her access to cold, hard cash.

The Privilege Playbook Revealed

Griffin's book proposal included a list of 90+ people who could promote her book: Amy Schumer, Laura Dern, Anna Wintour, Katie Couric. Many were friends. Others ran companies she'd invested in through her venture fund.

When Gwyneth Paltrow gushed about the book on her podcast, saying Griffin is "this beautiful, incredibly positive, brilliant woman," she failed to mention that Griffin was an investor in Goop. Oh, and also? Griffin failed to mention that she and her husband are major investors in the company that promotes MDMA for healing from trauma. 

The day the book launched, dozens of Griffin's well-connected friends posted glowing reviews on social media - all on the same day, to the same millions of followers.

This is how the game really works.

What This Means for You

I've been in publishing for over 25 years. I've seen authors with profound stories and exceptional writing get rejected repeatedly. I've watched brilliant first-time authors struggle to get anyone's attention.

Meanwhile, celebrities and billionaires get seven-figure deals and are invited to appear on every major podcast, show and TV network.

The Times article notes that publishing increasingly relies on "books with the kind of celebrity connections that can pump sales." Translation: Publishers aren't looking for the best books. They're looking for the best-connected authors.

Would Griffin's book have been published if she were a middle-class nurse from Ohio with the same story? Would it have received the same promotion? The same advance? The same automatic belief?

We know the answer. No. 

Traditional publishing has always had gatekeepers. But the gates have never been more firmly locked to those without wealth and connections.

The Real Opportunity

This is exactly why I created Your Bestselling Book. Because while you may not have Amy Griffin's $77 million townhouse or her venture fund, you do have something she maybe didn’t have at all: You have a story that matters. 

You have expertise earned through experience. And now, you have paths to publication that don't require knowing Oprah personally. You can publish and promote your book without any connections or a book deal. And you know what? You retain 100% of the IP and profits. So really, it’s a win.

The publishing industry's obsession with celebrity connections has created a massive opportunity for the rest of us. While traditional publishers chase famous names, readers are hungry for authentic voices.

Self-publishing and hybrid publishing have leveled the playing field. You don't need to be on the Met Gala guest list to reach readers who need your message.

But you do need to be strategic. You need to understand that publishing demands building genuine relationships with readers who care about your topic. 

Aloha,
MeiMei

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Build Your Brand

The Amy Griffin story is a reminder that the old publishing system isn’t designed for most of us. But that doesn't mean we can't succeed.

Start building your platform now. Create content. Connect with readers. Share your expertise, wisdom and love. Build real relationships with people who want to hear from you - not transactional ones based on wealth, but authentic connections based on value.

Start with Substack, an email newsletter, a LinkedIn newsletter, or a podcast. Just start today. Believe in yourself. 

Your story deserves to be told. And readers deserve to hear it - whether or not you know someone who knows Oprah.