Joe the Plumber: Next Pop Culture Sensation?
Man made famous by John McCain has book in the works.
Nov. 3, 2008 — -- Tired of Joe the Plumber?
Either way, you'll be seeing a lot more of him. It seems Joe the Plumber, whose real name is Samuel J. "Joe" Wurzelbacher, has not tired of the spotlight. He's hired himself a publicity team to handle the flood of media and appearance requests that have poured in since the presidential debate made him a household name.
"I have 300 requests on my desk today," his Nashville-based publicist, Jim Della Croce, told ABCNews.com on Friday, "personal appearances, endorsements, interviews -- anything a celebrity would expect."
And like any good celebrity these days, Wurzelbacher already has a book in the works. Della Croce confirmed that "there is a person working with him on the book," but would not offer up any details.
So what will Wurzelbacher write about? Attacking tough clogs?
Wurzelbacher wasn't available to speak with ABCNews.com on Friday – "he's with his son for Halloween," Della Croce said – but he told USA Today on Wednesday that his book will be a "dignified" story of how his campaign-trail encounter with Democratic nominee Barack Obama brought him national attention.
Joe the would-be Author will also elaborate on his views of the world, and he said people would listen because "I speak straight."
One thing Wurzelbacher will not be doing, contrary to rumors, is cutting a country album. The rumors grew out of his recent association with country music star Aaron Tippin ("Drill Here, Drill Now"). After Tippin met Wurzelbacher on the set of the "Huckabee" show, hosted by former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Tippin introduced him to his publicist, Della Croce, and his manager, Bobby Roberts.
Sara Nelson, editor-in-chief of Publishers Weekly, has low expectations for a book by Joe the Plumber.
"I think a publisher would be ill-advised to spend more than four figures for a book from Joe the Plumber," Nelson told ABCNews.com. "No matter what happens Tuesday, Joe the Plumber will be at best a footnote or a trivia question. I'm sure Joe the Plumber's family and friends will buy this book. It seems unlikely that his experience with 15 minutes of fame is going to compel large numbers of readers."
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