whitefox were recently involved in the publication of Hot Right Now: The Definitive Biography of Rita Ora, an unauthorised biography of chart-topping singer and X-Factor judge.

Authors Douglas Wight and Jennifer Wiley came to whitefox while they were deliberating how to publish their book. After researching and writing the book, they were in the unusual situation of securing a serial deal with a national newspaper before they had a publisher in place. They had interest from publishers and a concrete offer but for a variety of reasons the traditional route didn’t appeal to them on this occasion.

Wight approached whitefox, whose team members have considerable experience publishing celebrity books to tight timescales. The potential in the project was immediately evident. Thanks to whitefox’s sales and distribution expertise, Wight and Wiley decided to test out a new form of self-publishing –creating a quality hardcover book that could attract retailers.

The result is a deal and distribution of the physical books through numerous UK retail and wholesale channels including WHSmith and Amazon. whitefox helped Wight and Wiley to take the book from manuscript to market in under three weeks, coinciding with the current season of ITV’s X-Factor.

Mainstream media have embraced the hardcover book, highlighting how successful collaborative self-publishing today can increasingly be as relevant as more traditional routes to market. Hot Right Now has made the cover of The Sun on Sunday, with continued serialisation this week, and also featured prominently in the Mail Online. The book is currently available via Amazon and WHSmith stores nationwide to cater to fans of Ora’s platinum-selling album and the 7 million-strong fan base of the X-Factor.

Douglas Wight, who with Jennifer Wiley created 22five Publishing to produce the book, said:

“When I floated the idea to whitefox they immediately got it and we became excited about the chance to do something a little different. It seemed crazy to think we could produce a book so quickly – and one that might compete with other celebrity titles at the busiest time of the year. But, with whitefox’s help we have managed to bring our book to the marketplace.”

CEO of whitefox John Bond says:

“It is great to be part of a new model of publishing, empowering commercial writers who want to work with experienced professionals in taking their book to market with speed and precision.”

You can read Doug Wight’s article about the publication of his book here.