There are those who spend a lifetime waiting for their shot at a book deal. Then there are the lucky few—or in some extraordinary cases, animals—who appear to effortlessly stumble upon the path to publishing fame simply by virtue of their existing celebrity status. In the era of social media influencers, it seems that almost everyone with a TikTok account is securing their own book deal, so the emergence of a new series of novels from Kensington highlighting and even crediting social media-famous dogs as co-authors should come as no great surprise.
Enter the Dog Agency Novels, a unique collection of books inspired by renowned canine personalities who have made their mark in the online world. These novels not only feature these beloved dogs as central characters but also attribute authorship to them, albeit it may be a strategic move to enhance searchability rather than an indication of direct literary contribution from our furry friends. The debut installment, “Tatum Comes Home,” weaves a captivating narrative around the escapades of a social media sensation dog named Tatum Talks, who finds himself momentarily adrift in the world. Building on this success, “A Dog Called Ducky” casts the spotlight on Ducky the Yorkie in a tale infused with romance, reminiscent of a heartwarming plot straight out of a Hallmark Channel movie.
Both of these enchanting novels showcase real-life dogs boasting millions of adoring fans, placing them in fictional yet endearing scenarios tailored to resonate with their substantial existing audience. Despite their substantial online followings, however, Ducky the Yorkie recently found himself in a rather lonesome situation during a book signing event held at a local bookstore for his latest literary creation. It was a woeful sight as no attendees appeared to celebrate this delightful pup and his literary endeavors.
As an empathetic observer, I can relate to Ducky’s plight, having experienced the disappointment of hosting events where few show up. My heart goes out to this adorable canine, even as I marvel at the emergence of a niche genre centered around crafting fictional narratives starring genuine canine social media stars. Such is the world we inhabit!
The realm of pet influencing is a vast and potentially lucrative domain for both the animals themselves and their dedicated human companions. In the official description of “A Dog Called Ducky,” Ducky’s devoted caregiver is affectionately referred to as his “momager,” a clever fusion of “mom” and “manager” evoking images of Kris Jenner and other assertive stage parents from various backgrounds. In this context, however, the ultimate destiny of these charming pets does not involve penning a revelatory memoir akin to Jennette McCurdy but rather entails licensing their images for literary works like the ones under discussion.
Yet, who am I to pass judgment? The writers (or co-writers) behind these novels are esteemed figures within the literary sphere such as Mica Stone and Amanda K. Morgan, garnering rave reviews from their readers. It is
