Emeril Lagasse: 10-Book Deal with HarperStudio

By JULIETTE ROSSANT If you are look for a sign of what is to come in the Celebrity Chef cookbook world, then look no further than Emeril Lagasse's new deal to write a series of 10 books for HarperCollins' new imprint HarperStudio. According to Crain's New York Business: Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Mr. Lagasse will receive a modest advance, as well as 50% of profits generated from the titles, according to Robert Miller, head of HarperStudio. Launched in April 2008, the new imprint made waves as the most recent effort by book publishers to cope with stagnant book sales and increasing production costs. It is unique because it splits profits with authors in lieu of paying them hefty advances and aims to eliminate the costly practice of allowing booksellers to return unsold copies. HarperStudio also focuses on electronic books and digital audio editions, one of the key reasons MSLO [Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia] executive chairman Charles Koppelman pushed Mr. Lagasse to the experimental imprint. Electronic cookbooks could easily put all of Emeril's recipes on a reader for easy reference in the market or the kitchen. What's Emeril's first book going to be? Indoor and outdoor grilling no doubt timed for July 4th, 2009 – or maybe even a double whammy – for the NASCAR crowd. Chefs, cooks, and cookbook writers like Emeril, who have large TV audiences and tourists visiting their multiple restaurants, can sell large number of books, even if they are ho hum and filled with unhealthy recipes. Who else is in this league? Bobby Flay, Paula Deen, and others on the Food Network, FLN, and Bravo. Chefs without that kind of platform will be lucky to make their advance. Press releases: Emerils.com Related news: Crain's New York Business Reuters New York Post New York Daily News Examiner International Business Times MSN Money AOL Money & Finance SmartBrief Previous articles: Martha Stewart Buys Emeril Lagasse Emeril Live! No More Emeril Goes Gulf Coast Emeril Leads Space Race? Emerils Re-Opens in New Orleans Halloween: Emeril's Delmonico Cookbook Emeril Lagasse: Wine Spectator Award Hey, Katrina: WHERE IS EMERIL? Emeril Lagasse: iPod ReciPods Emeril Lagasse: Carnivale du Vin All-Stars Emeril Lagasse Lays Apple iPod Emeril! - The Magazine>? Motley Fool Mulls Over "Frankenfish" (or Emeril's Notches on B&G Foods) Just a Spoonful of Aerosmith Makes the Emeril Go Down? Chef Branding: B&G Foods Exposes Emeril? Hello Kitty, Meet Emeril Lagasse Food Television - complete] [Chefs & Branding - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging --> back to Super Chef