More than you might think.

A few weeks ago Snookie from the The Jersey Shore was paid more money to speak at Rutgers than Nobel Prize winner, Pulitzer Prize Winner Toni Morrison.

Well, I guess that makes sense, both are bestsetllingwriters…

I’m sure the recent novel Shore Thing and Beloved are…like… pretty much the same thing.

I must say, I cannot get over the recent rise in celebrity-turned-bestselling writer. Snookie joins the ranks of her Jersey peer, J-Woww, Bristol Palin, Miley Cyrus, George W. Bush, Shania Twain, and Sarah Palin on the New York Times Bestseller List.

Hm.

There seems to be a growing divide between good literature and a good marketing tool. More and more teenage memoirs (what could they possibly have to say?), beach-read-novellas, and personal narratives flooding the bookstores, all with photograph of the “writer” on the cover.

For an aspiring writer who doesn’t have a reality show, fluke-political campaign, or pop-star career, this can be a little disheartening. These writers are redefining a successful book to be based solely on money and fame. Which, any writer knows is NOT the reason to write.

I think next time I stop in the local Borders I’ll think twice about what’s on the posters and what’s on display… perhaps I’ll go down the road a little to the independent store and peruse the shelves, pick up a copy of Beloved and remind myself what true literary success is: a voice etched on the page, never losing its luster, no matter how many Snookies, Pookies, or Cookies come through.