Former reality TV and NRL star Luke Bateman divides internet with book deal

7NEWS

2 days ago

Former NRL player turned Bachelor star Luke Bateman has divided the internet after it was revealed he had a book deal with Simon and Schuster.
Bateman, who was on the Canberra Raiders list between 2015 and 2019, recently bobbed up on TikTok to excitedly tell the BookTok community that he was now invested in the group and he was there to talk all things books.
'I've loved books my entire life,' he trumpeted loud and proud in his first TikTok video that has now had more than 2 million views.
'Love fantasy ... it's my main go to ... but I've never had anywhere to really talk about it because I'm a male in a blue collar work and from the country.'
He also said there were a lot of females in the community who 'love smut and spice'.
That video has since had over 2 million views and there were some favourable comments, but things have suddenly turned.
He recently told the community that he had signed a two-book deal and that's when questions started to get asked about the 30-year-old Queensland pine cutter.
Needless to say, many aspiring writers have tried countless times to get book deals and failed.
So, the question clearly was, how did this former NRL player get one?
TikTok creator and activist Jeff Kissubi — who goes by the handle @blondejeff and has almost 200,000 followers — led the charge.
'Race and privilege shape who get the shortcuts,' Kissubi said.
'Black and marginalised authors, especially women and gender-diverse creatives, are out here with finished, powerful stories that still get overlooked.'
Audra Winter Books was also shocked.
'Let's put this into perspective, shall we?' the account said.
'I have around the same size audience, with a completely written book and series, over 10 years of experience in writing, and a platform built solely around my concept; I struggled for three years to even secure a literary agent.
'This is why I turned against traditional publishing; it's never been truly about the story WRITTEN. There are so many talented and skilled authors from marginalized communities across this app who HAVE put in the effort, who HAVE worked to refine their skills, who HAVE worked to build their platform, and yet this is what publishing prioritizes. Yikes.
'You, as an author with a voice, should be standing up and recognising the flaw in this, if you are truly part of the community on this app with many authors who have actually written and marketed the book getting shadowed by you.'
Brisbookblog said: 'I'm confused, lol - how did you get a book deal with no book written???'
Another TikTok user said: 'A white man getting a book deal without having written anything? My jaw stayed right where it was.'
And another: 'This opportunity is the intersection of white privilege, male privilege, and pretty privilege. Not a reflection of worth.'
But there was support for Bateman too.
QBD Books Australias said: 'Congratulations Luke! We can't wait to read your debut book!! 👏🤩'
Another user said: 'Why the hate? Why is it about race? Why is it about gender? The double standard has got to stop.
'We made him famous. Now we are tearing him down? He did nothing wrong. Right place at the right time. Say congrats and move on! And if the book is good or bad, remember reading is subjective. Congratulations!! I wish you all the best!! This is an insane opportunity!'