Rockets Owner TILMAN FERTITTA will "release his first book in September, expanding his self-made billionaire brand into the publishing world," according to Paul Takahasi of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. The 180-page “SHUT UP AND LISTEN!” will "share business insights gleaned from Fertitta’s three-decade career in the hospitality industry." Fertitta said that he was "paid an advance of around $500,000" by publisher HarperCollins Leadership and "expects to make another $500,000 from book sales." Fertitta: "I never thought someone would come to me and pay me seven digits to write a book." He "spent the past six months" working on the book. He said, “The book isn’t just for entrepreneurs. It’s for anybody interested in business.” Fertitta said that he "came up with the title during a meeting with HarperCollins editors in September." Everyone was "talking over one another, and Fertitta interrupted, 'Ya’ll shut up and listen!'" Fertitta said that he "planned to go" on a multi-city tour to promote the book (CHRON.com, 3/11).
INSIDE THE KING'S EMPIRE: In Cleveland, Marc Bona noted the latest book about LEBRON JAMES by ESPN's BRIAN WINDHORST "rarely touches on James' on-court exploits," and instead takes a "focused look at how James has accumulated wealth." "LEBRON INC.: THE MAKING OF A BILLION DOLLAR ATHLETE," set for release next month, is about the "sophisticated approach James and his allies take" to business. A section on James' involvement with Beats headphones "makes for fascinating reading." It is "clear from the start James's business interests stem from whether he believes in a product." Windhorst writes in a "smooth style -- not flashy, very readable." The result is a "fascinating read" (CLEVELAND.com, 3/11).
SPEAKING OUT: In Michigan, Matt Mencarini noted former U.S. gymnast RACHAEL DENHOLLANDER, the first woman to publicly say that LARRY NASSAR sexually abused her, will "publish a memoir and children's book" in September titled "WHAT IS A GIRL WORTH?" and "HOW MUCH IS A LITTLE GIRL WORTH?," respectively. The release of the books -- by Tyndale House Publishers -- will be "followed by a national media tour." Denhollander will "reveal the crushing impact that this abuse has had on her life; trace her journey in harnessing the courage to speak out against such abuse -- both for herself and on behalf of abuse victims everywhere; and illuminate the path to a better way forward" (LANSING STATE JOURNAL, 3/6).
