Kamala Harris is set to rebound from her historic election loss to President-elect Donald J. Trump with substantial offers from publishers for a potential book deal. Media speculation suggests leading publishing houses are offering up to $20 million for exclusive rights to a book detailing Harris’s experiences, including her election campaign.
According to one insider, “Virtually the moment Kamala lost to Trump, offers began pouring in from the publishing world.” The proposed book is expected to cover her interactions with Joe Biden, campaign strategies, and the events that unfolded within the Oval Office.
In addition to publishing offers, there is speculation regarding potential interest from streaming services such as Netflix, which is considering producing content related to Harris after her tenure as Vice President. Similar endeavors have been pursued with other political figures, though outcomes vary.
Book deals for political figures are historically lucrative. In 2001, former President Bill Clinton secured a $10 million advance for his memoir. Later, in 2017, Barack and Michelle Obama negotiated a $65 million agreement with Penguin Random House for their joint publications.
Critics, however, question a Harris book’s potential success. Some note the challenges she faced in communicating effectively with the electorate during her campaign. Others recall past accusations of plagiarism related to her 2009 publication, Smart on Crime, which she co-authored while she served as San Francisco’s district attorney.