Outrage As Former Sport Star Who Is Very Marketable And Has A Massive Literary Following Gets A Book Deal

WENDELL HUSSEY | Cadet | CONTACT

The literary and social media community are still reeling from an apparently shocking revelation.

Booktokers and distinguished unpublished/self-published authors around the country and the world are entering the third week of losing their minds over a marketable person with a sizeable following getting a book deal.

The person in question is Luke Bateman, a former NRL player and Bachelor who amassed a couple hundred thousand followers in a short space of time after bringing his rugged charm to the TikyToks.

He was initially lauded as a darling for bringing the good word of books to the world, from a place that not many associate with literary consumption.

However, while many assumed a Queenslander and former NRL star spreading positivity about books and indulging in things like fantasy and romance was a good thing, his standing in the eyes of many turned when he secured a two book deal.

Following in the footsteps of countless NRL stars and luminaries like James Tedesco who famously released Red v Blue about kids playing footy against each other – Bateman is breaking the mould somewhat with a couple of fantasy novels.

The good news for the man making a life for himself outside of footy that doesn’t involve going to the mines, smoking methamphetamines or riding motorcycles with heavily tattooed men quickly turned sour.

Beginning in Australia, videos began emerging all over the world from grumpy BookTokers furious that a knockabout bloke with a huge following could be offered a book deal that would provide a commercial return for investors.

Emerald Alison (28), a Llocal BookToker and proud owner of an account with 14 followers, explained the frustration at the issue.

“Ive been trying for ages to try and get a book deal,” said Emerald.

“And he’s come along and used social media to craft a persona pretty new to the community to pursue and avenue extremely common for footy players – ie getting a book deal.”

“But it just doesn’t sit well with me, he’s just too, how do you say, too much of a jock.”

“And it’s not fair for people like myself who are writing great novels that no one wants to read.”

“So rather than attacking the publisher for pursuing commercial opportunities based on their financial positions, I’m going to attack a local Queenslander for having a crack and trying to do something different.”

“That makes me feel better about my own insecurities and lack of relevance in the world.”

More to come.