Publishing World - Meet Johnny Depp



That well known face who's brought life to film characters such as Captain Jack Sparrow, Donnie Brasco, Willie Wonka, the Mad Hatter and Sweeney Todd - along with many more - will be helping to bring new characters to the book world with his announcement to launch publishing imprint in conjunction with Harper Collins.

What is a publishing imprint?
Basically it usually refers to a subsidary publishing house. Imprint publishers will often specialize in subjects, styles or genres whereas their parent companies have no limitations.

Depp has played literary characters in over a dozen films including:

"What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (1993). Adapted from the novel by Peter Hedges.

"Donnie Brasco" (1997), based on the memoir "Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia" by Joseph D. Pistone and Richard Woodley.

"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" (1998), based on the book by Hunter S. Thompson.

"Sleepy Hollow" (1999), based on the story by Washington Irving.

"Secret Window" (2004), a thriller about a novelist, based on a Stephen King story that appears in his collection "Four Past Midnight."

"Finding Neverland" (2004), based on the life of "Peter Pan" author J.M. Barrie.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005), based on the children's book by Roald Dahl.

"Public Enemies" (2009), partially based on Bryan Burrough's history "Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34."

"Alice in Wonderland" (2010), based on the books by Lewis Carroll.

Depp's imprint is called Infinitum Nihil (his production company is known by the same name which means "Nothing is Forever.") Already on the list of new releases...

 

"The Unraveled Tales of Bob Dylan" by Doug Brinkley which promises to shed new light and truth about the musician's life and career.

 

and

 

"House of Earth" by folk singer Woody Guthrie.

In a statement, Depp said, “I pledge, on behalf of Infinitum Nihil, that we will do our best to deliver publications worthy of peoples' time, of peoples' concern. Publications that might ordinarily never have breached the parapet. For this dream realized, we would like to salute HarperCollins for their faith in us and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship together.”

Is this good for the publishing world?
Should celebrities lend their fame to the book world in such a hands-on format? I guess only time will tell however I think that anything that gets people - young and old - reading is a good thing. Perhaps Johnny Depp will be a refreshing addition that will bring forth good reads that might not have otherwise been noticed.

In the spirit of my favorite Depp character, "Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate."