HELP CAROL NAME HER NEXT NOVEL
Posted on October 22, 2008 | by Attention Interactive LLC
“This Year’s Model“, Carol Alt’s first novel, has garnered much praise since its publication this summer. In fact, one of the nation’s largest retail chains has chosen it as one of their 2009 important books-of-the-year, which is quite an honor. (We’ll let you know which store once the book hits their shelves. They don’t want us to spoil the surprise!)
“I try to invest any project with which I’m associated with a certain amount of social responsibility. In the case of “This Year’s Model”, my goal was to give young girls (and their families) a more realistic picture of what really goes on behind the scenes in a model’s life.
“It seems as if the image that’s being promoted by certain TV shows nowadays is that fashion models are constantly at each other’s throats. Some new girls who are just starting out may end up sharing apartments or hotel rooms, to save money. But seriously, can you imagine if a half dozen girls were thrown together and spent their entire day fighting with their roommates, or thinking and talking about nothing but sabotaging each other’s careers?! That may make for entertaining television, but it surely isn’t real life.
“In reality, if a modeling agency represents several girls who have arrived from out of town and have no place to stay, the agency will arrange for them to share a place. Knowing full well that these girls are in close proximity, the agency certainly isn’t going to send two or three of them to the same “go-see” (audition, in modeling jargon) at or near the same time. That really would be a recipe for disaster. Most of the time, the girls have no idea what the others are going up for. But if you believe what you see on TV, they’re all watching each others’ moves, just waiting to pounce and thriving on jealous rages. It’s ridiculous!
“Now, what probably will surprise most people is how things work for girls who have been scouted by an agency. Let’s say a potential model is discovered in Russia, for example. The agency will front the money to fly her to New York, put her up in a hotel, and also give her an advance so she can get set up – phone, food, clothes, etc. Well, guess what: The agency isn’t doing that out of the goodness of its heart. Not only will they expect to be repaid for the “loan” (which is what it is), but they’ll find very clever ways to add fees on top of the actual costs. If and when the Russian girl books her first jobs, the agency will pay itself back out of her earnings. It can amount to several thousand dollars, especially in the beginning of a career. That can come as quite a shock sometimes. What is an even bigger shock is if a girl does not book any jobs, she will still owe that money to the agency…!
“Then there are the photos for the model’s portfolio. Let’s just say, I find them useless. A professional modeling agent can size up a girl’s potential in the blink of an eye. That’s what he or she is trained to do,” says Carol. But, let’s say he sees a girl who he thinks is on the cusp – not quite perfect, but a ‘possibility’. The agent will set up a shoot to get some photos for the girl’s portfolio. He will send her to a studio with a photographer, hair and makeup. The session may cost $2-3000 but in reality, the photographer might only be charging a couple of hundred dollars and let’s say the makeup artist and hair stylist total up to another couple of hundred—but the girl is paying $2-3000! Where does the rest of the money go? Kickbacks!!! If the agency hired them on your behalf, they will get half of this upfront money for their “trouble” – and in the end, they may not even take this girl!! That kind of thing has always existed in the modeling industry. And yes, it’s underhanded and sneaky. Of course, as in any industry, there are the ethical professionals and these other types.
“Now, this naive girl thinks she has a professional portfolio – one everybody will respect – so she starts shopping herself around (armed with those very expensive photos) to other agencies. Another agency may decide to give her a try, but they will want to use their own photographer who shoots all of their girls. So now this poor kid has to decide whether or not to take the risk and spend another couple of thousand dollars just to please this new agency!
“This brings up another point I’d like to make: Modeling success or failure does not rest on a woman’s beauty. There are so many other factors that go into creating a successful model – height, bone structure, a certain look, an attitude – and all are necessary commodities, yes. But there are loads of absolutely beautiful women who never made it as models, while lots of offbeat looks have soared to the top of the heap. That’s why a modeling agent with a good eye for talent can look past perceived faults and find the gem that lies beneath – again, even without photos.”
But we digress. Or…do we?
“In my book”, Carol continues, “Melody Ann Croft (the heroine) works in Manhattan, but commutes to her home in the suburbs every night. She works, she goes home. This is closer to a normal scenario for a working model.
“I tried to show a more realistic picture of what really goes on, so that young girls and their families can understand what they’re up against. I really feel that any girl who thinks that she may want to model (and her parents, too) should read this book and not rely on the modeling shows on TV for their information.”
Carol is already well on her way to completing the second book in what is intended to be a trilogy, featuring the main character she created as the “star” of “This Year’s Model”, Melody Ann Croft.
“I need a title for this next novel. If anyone out there has a good idea, by all means I’d love to see it. You can send it to me via the comment box below this article. Obviously”, Carol laughs, “I can’t give you much help in terms of inspiration, since I don’t want to give any plot points away, so use your imaginations.”
ALSO…..
Another exciting event is taking place right now in conjunction with the publishing of this book. Carol says, “We are searching for the model who will appear on the cover jacket of my new book – even someone who might not have the opportunity to come to New York or L.A. can try out. Backed by Lord & Taylor and Avon Books, a search is being initiated in an effort to help out a novice model. It’s all being done via the internet.
“Send in your photos (make sure your face is clearly seen and that they are not too ‘model-y’. We need a clear shot of the face!) It doesn’t matter where you live. We expect to have our cover girl by mid-November.”
GO TO WWW.HARPERCOLLINS.COM, ‘SEARCH’ DETAILS ARE THERE…..
Loading ...
Houman says:
Hi Carol
I believe the name ” Mirage” would be the great name.
The meaning of the word based on Cambridge advanced learners dictionary:
mirage:
noun [C]
1 an image, produced by very hot air, of something which seems to be far away but does not really exist
2 LITERARY a hope or desire that has no chance of being achieved:
and please be informed that you are always ” The most beautiful and beloved woman in the world”
You are my dream.
Yours
Houman
Reply
Tim Hill says:
Carol,
I was just reading on the Huffington Post about why your former marriage ended and the comments posted by others. It is a sad state of affairs when someone is willing to end a marriage for that reason. If you love someone it should be forever no matter what happens. The hateful comments by readers were the worst. It is sad to see how mean people can be. I also wanted to tell you that you are an amazingly beautiful and intelligent woman. I wish only the best for you in the future.
Tim
Reply
carrie says:
I always thought of Carol Alt as a classic-I was disappointed to see you did a Playboy spread. Hope it isn’t a mid-life crisis.
Reply
Elvis Studenko says:
Wow what a great idea have viewers use their creativity to come up with an extraordinary and amazing name for your book a name so good that it is marketing genius and helps to sell lots and lots of copies. Then you make million$ how awesome and the person who actually created the title gets nothing…. thats a great plan and how about we send you a dollar with each book name we come up with that way you can even get paid for looking at other peoples ideas
Reply
Alexandra Sinacori says:
Where would you like the photo entries to be sent to? I looked on the Harper Collins web site and was unable to find anything about it.
Thank you for your time!
Alexandra
Reply
Patience DePhazio says:
She should name her book DIARY OF A MAD AIRHEAD.
Reply
carol alt says:
Hi Houman,
Thank you so much for your thoughts…..Seems like you thought long and hard on it….
i guess models and modeling are pretty much summed up with your “Mirage” description! LOL-
I am in russia/italy shooting a show and well, just got your idea!
I love it!
Thank you!
Carol Alt
Reply
carol alt says:
Dear Tim,
Thank you for your lovely thoughts on one of the reasons my marriage had ended. You know, perhaps if this had been a new “wound” the hateful comments would have hurt, but it was 10 years ago and certainly I have moved on and I have built a life out of the ashes of my poor health.
I had only wished the best to Ron and I understood why he went. The worst for me was that he denied knowing my state of Health But my medical history is my medical history and that can be changed- at least not by Ron’s denials for sure…..
In any case, i have spent a lot of my time in those years since, lecturing to others to try to get them to understand the importance of nutrition and health. With out it, there is no life worth living….at least not for me-
Fear is not an option!
It is kind words from people like you who remind me of why i do this business…..and why i am compelled to try to make this world a better place!
Thank you so much for your thoughts.
Carol Alt
Reply
carol alt says:
H Carrie,
Nope, not a mid-life crisis- I was trying to use this platform as a way to use pop culture to reach more woman and to get discussion going about health.
Whenever i speak to people about HEALTH-wow!! The hands go up and a defensive stance is taken
So, I thought, why not hit them where they spend their money? On Beauty! I wanted the photos to show that without RAW FOOD, I would not/could not have done this spread (by the way, Bazaar wanted to do it, but when Carrie Diamond-a great editor-left, they canceled the shoot)
Without RAW FOOD, and the health that it afforded me…..I would have been cut hip to hip and if i survived my desperate health issues, i would not have been in any shape to shoot nude.
This was a celebration of HEALTH!
And just for the record: I did not have a breast lift- or a face lift- I eat RAW FOOD and the photos you see are not head-to-toe body makeup nor are they retouched to death.
I asked Playboy and they agreed with the platform of health- as a magazine who loves women, they wanted to support this platform in any way that they could.
I appreciate how classy they were, and are, in handling this issue….
I also appreciate your comments- it is the chance for discussion i had hoped for when i did the shoot!!
(PS it was the hardest thing i ever did- but i think if the discussion saves just one woman’s life because she rethinks her diet, then i have achieved what i set out to do-)
All the best,
Carol Alt
Reply
carol alt says:
Hi Elvis,
WOW! I had not thought of that! Great Idea-
You know, if i thought like that, then maybe i would not be in debt with my book company!!
Just for the record:
I could not think of a name- but ultimately came up with Model Incorporated.
I had thought that the girl who wins my context and who may be on the cover of this book would get a great career and that would be giving back to someone else!
But, I just want you to know that my books usually cost me money……
i AM hoping that someday i may actually turn a profit-
But, I never went into writing books to earn a living!
Books to me are a way of reaching out to people and of giving back
Especially my books on RAW which is related to health issues.
The books on modeling i wrote in response to hearing how the industry was ‘using’ the new young models-
i had hoped to give them a moral compass in the shape of a “good girl” character who succeeds.
Frankly, if a contest for a new model for the cover, or requesting help from fans to help me name it, all get the word out- then yipeee!
i am glad.
However, if you would have written in with a suggestion on how i could have possibly given to the person who came up with the winning name a donation for their charity, i think that would have been a better letter. Don’t you?
I am always grateful for your thoughts,
And I wish you all the best!
Carol Alt
PS: i donate profit $$ from my health books to Dr Gonzales Alternative Cancer Research
Reply
carol alt says:
Patience,
Diary of a Mad Airhead!!
That actually made me laugh!
Thank you for your submission- I am always glad for a chance to smile….
All the best,
Carol Alt
Reply