Glenn Beck: The new Oprah?
The power of the Fox News host to promote a certain kind of book
Beck: A big fan of the thriller genre
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Novelists know that a plug from Oprah Winfrey can catapult them to success. But thriller authors have a new champion—Fox News star Glenn Beck, who has boosted sales for dozens of writers by endorsing their books on his TV and radio shows. Is the conservative populist helping to revive book sales? (Watch Glenn Beck mockingly make book selections for White House reading.)
Call Beck a mini-Oprah: Glenn Beck clearly "has a massive effect on sales" for writers of political thrillers, says Chris Rovzar in New York. Of course, he won't have to go head-to-head against Oprah Winfrey—Oprah focuses on "inspirational and lyrical fiction," while Beck likes action and intrigue. "But who cares! Schlock writers need to complete their vintage-car collections, too!"
"Glenn Beck is ‘our Oprah,’ say massively successful thriller writers"
Beck must be doing something right: If a conservative populist has The New York Times singing his praises, says Glynnis MacNicol in Mediaite, he must be doing something right. Maybe, in a way, he is the next Oprah. Politics aside, if the man is doing his part to save the struggling book-publishing industry, "he deserves all the credit that can be heaped on him."
"Glenn Beck's heroic attempt to keep America literate"
No one person can save publishing: Book publishers need all the help they can get, says former Mediabistro writer Sarah Weinman in her blog. But Oprah's power to bestow "the magic elixir of book sales" is decreasing this year, and Glenn Beck is preaching to an audience made up mostly of white males. He can't save the industry—but if he turns his 3 million viewers onto a single book, he has the power to create an instant hit.
"Glenn Beck, the new patron saint of thriller writing?"
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11 Comments
Posted by Barbara, Friday, November 6, 2009, 4:24 pm Mr. Beck is nothing like Oprah. She is encouraging and works to help improve quality of life for her readers and viewers. He is a monster that represents everything that is absolutely wrong with FOX and those who view the world like he does. He does nothing to improve the condition of the world. He is sensationalist and arogant. He's there for the money and prestige . . . liken him to Limbaugh and you may have something there.
Posted by John_Gault, Friday, November 6, 2009, 5:02 pm Barabara, And Oprah isn't trying to make money? Her entire goal is to make money! She is just a brilliant marketer and has convinced her fans, also known as customers or clients, that her product, helping people, is legitimate. She may be a good person, but people that successful didn't get their by accident. She had a carefully crafted plan and she has been extremely aggressive in its implementation. Now Beck on the other hand provides a different product, which you obviously aren't a customer. However, both are selling something!
Posted by Jose, Friday, November 6, 2009, 5:22 pm Beck may not be trying to improve the quality of life but he sure is trying to keep from losing it.After being unsuccessful at stopping the government destroy housing, banking and the auto industry, he is now trying to stop the destruction of human existence itself by opposing a carbon tax on what you exhale and the death panels in the new health care system.Yes Barbara, he is a monster to those trying to do harm. More power to him.
Posted by joe, Friday, November 6, 2009, 5:33 pm Barbara: It's Unbelievable how empowered you feel to make such statements. You have no idea how many Americans believe in Glenn Beck over Oprah Winfrey. How easily decieved you are. Watch out for a revolution from conservatives. Oprah's time is just about up...... tick...tock.....
Posted by Barbara, Saturday, November 7, 2009, 3:48 pm So, Jose, I am interested. What did Beck do during the 8 years of Bush administration to stop the government from destroying housing, bankingand auto industry? Where is the evidence of death panels in the health care proposals and how is Beck helping? By spewing opinion?And to Joe, you know my opinion but to presume you know the feeling of a commentor . . . Really? Shame. But typical of what I hear from those who value opinion over fact. Beck is just another Face in the Crowd same as Limbaugh.
Posted by ncc, Saturday, November 7, 2009, 5:32 pm send him to combat in Afghanastan...he is so arrogant and who is he?He appears to be a meanspirited trouble maker without a heart....please dont tell me he has any religious beliefs.
Posted by John Galt, Sunday, November 8, 2009, 1:40 am Oprah's not in it for the money? Wow, I never knew.
Posted by Jose, Sunday, November 15, 2009, 9:13 pm Barbara, it wasn't Beck's job to stop the government from destroying housing, banking and auto industry. He reported it and people like you ignored and/or made fun of it.
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