Impossible Creatures author Katherine Rundell has criticised the ‘high percentage’ of children’s books published under famous names that could have been ghost-written
Katherine Rundell, the acclaimed author of Impossible Creatures, has criticised celebrities who use ghost-writers for not taking “sufficient care” with the children’s books published under their names. The novelist, who clinched the Waterstones Book Of The Year title in 2023, suggested that “a high percentage” of celebrity-published books might be ghost-written, estimating the figure to be just shy of 50%.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s This Cultural Life, she expressed her frustration: “I think the thing that frustrates me most would be where people are publishing books that they have not themselves written”.
She continued, highlighting the lack of personal touch in such works: “Because, of course, there are many great comedians who could write great children’s fiction, I’m sure, but if you are creating a children’s book in the same way you would create a perfume or a series of steak knives, you are not giving it sufficient care.”
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Rundell added her thoughts on the importance of authenticity in children’s literature: “I think ghost-writing makes perfect sense for memoir, for non-fiction, but for fiction, when a child opens a story they should be entering a pact with you, that you will have thought of them and what they need, their desires, their drive.”
She warned of the potential negative impact of ghost-written books on young readers: “And if you break that pact, and if you flood the market with books that break that pact, you risk turning children off books.”
Rundell concluded with a stark message about the importance of genuine storytelling: “And to turn children off books is to turn them off the great history of ideas. Books are the place we have gone to set down our most bold and ambitious thought and to risk turning children off that, I think, is a stupidity for which we shouldn’t be forgiven.”
When queried on the proportion of children’s books that are ghost-written, she estimated: “I don’t know. A high percentage, probably less than half, but not that much less.”
Rundell achieved recognition winning the Costa Children’s Book Award in 2017 for her novel The Explorer. She then scooped up the Blue Peter Best Story Award in 2014 for her book Rooftoppers.
Her literary contributions to children’s fiction also encompass titles such as One Christmas Wish (2017) and Skysteppers (2021). Readers are highly anticipating release of The Poisoned King, which is set to succeed Impossible Creatures (2023).
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