A little over 24 hours ago, Milli Bobby Brown, the actress known for her role in ‘Stranger Things,’ released her debut novel titled Nineteen Steps. The book draws inspiration from her grandmother’s experience during the 1943 Bethnal Green tube disaster and was ghostwritten by Kathleen McGurl. However, the absence of McGurl’s name on the cover led to criticism from netizens.
In the face of this backlash, Brown has also received support from the ghostwriting community. Catherine Yardley, author of Ember, defended Brown, stating that the criticism stemmed from jealousy, ageism, and sexism. She pointed out that men rarely face this level of scrutiny. Hannah Yelin, author of Celebrity Memoir: From Ghostwriting to Gender Politics, echoed this sentiment, mentioning other young female stars who have faced similar criticism.
Yelin emphasized that collaborative authorship, including ghostwriting, has a long history. Shannon Kyle, founder of the Ghostwriters Agency, concurred, noting that ghostwriting has been part of celebrity culture for centuries. She commended Brown for her transparency and asserted that her involvement in the story remains significant.
Catherine Yardley acknowledged that some might feel cheated by the use of a ghostwriter but praised Brown for being open about it. Kathleen McGurl, in a blog post, explained that Brown provided extensive research and ideas, and they collaborated on multiple drafts of the book.
While Brown faces criticism for using a ghostwriter, Prince Harry’s memoir Spare was also ghostwritten, albeit without as much controversy. JR Moehringer was the writer behind it. What are your thoughts on ghostwriters assisting celebrities like Milli Bobby Brown? Share your opinions in the comments.
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