What is this summer’s big mystery book?
The Internet is abuzz over a forthcoming nonfiction book, a 544-page memoir (including 40 full-color photographs) slated to be published by Flatiron on July 9th. Why? Because The Internet thinks it was probably written by Taylor Swift.
It all started when the owner of indie bookshop Good Neighbor Bookstore posted a video on TikTok reporting that a major publisher had informed them of a secret book coming in July, and speculated that it might be by the singer, citing various Easter eggs and clues. The publisher quickly asked the bookseller to take the video down, but of course, nothing can truly be deleted anymore so you can watch it at your leisure.
According to a screenshot originally posted to Reddit showing notes from sales rep Anne Hellman on Edelweiss, the book has an announced first print run of 1 million copies, “it is fun and NOT political,” and the title will be announced on June 13. Hellman also points out that July 9th—the worldwide pub date—is a Sunday, an unusual day for a book to be published, and that booksellers who want copies in advance must sign an affidavit.
The fans, obviously, are going deep. (You could spend the rest of your day unpacking the clues and rumors; that’s up to you.) Some are even theorizing that not only will Taylor be publishing a memoir in July, she’ll be using it to come out.
HOWEVER, venerable publishing gossip Instagram account @xoxopublishinggg has gotten “multiple confirmations that the secret book is by BTS.” July 9 being, apparently, Army Day. (And all things being equal, I’m inclined to trust them over The Internet at large. Sorry, Swifties.)
The title, whatever it is, will be announced on June 13. In the meantime, as Publishers Lunch reported, the book, currently going by 4C UNTITLED FLATIRON NONFICTION SUMMER 2023, is selling like hotcakes: hitting #6 in all books on Amazon and #1 on BN.com.
Any other guesses?
