Tyra Banks is writing the great American model novel

Look out: Tyra Banks is at work writing the great American model novel. The model, television talk show host, reality TV show host/producer and occasional actress ("Coyote Ugly") is writing her first book. "Modelland," Tyra writes on her website, "takes you to a fantastical place you’ve never seen, or heard about, or read about before… Where dreams come true and life can change in the blink of a smoky eye. ;)" The novel does not yet have a release date.

Tyra describes "Modelland" as a fantastical place inhabited by "Intoxibellas" who are beautiful, fierce (yes, Tyra's website says "fierce") and may have superpowers. A group of teen girls is magically transported there, even though they don't belong. What will happen to them? Tyra has a 3-book deal with Random House to work it out.

If Tyra's chasing fellow television host and media magnate Oprah into book territory, she's doing it with a few twists. Oprah's bookish enthusiasm has been, primarily, as a reader, while Tyra's going for full-on authordom. And Oprah has focused on books that enlighten and empower, while Tyra seems headed toward a kind of modern sci-fi urban fantasy.

Which is -- say it with me, girls -- fierce!

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Photo: Tyra Banks at the 2010 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

Comments

[AJD]

Oh no, she's not ... this is making me nauseous. Unless this is some kind of not nice prank or joke, the mere idea is turning my stomach. I will not be reading it and it only goes to show how the publishing industry is going down and in not a nice way. :) Sorry to be so candid.

[Ann]

I think it'd be a huge twist if the book comes out and it's actually good. It doesn't sound like something I'd read, but here's to hoping that it has at least SOME literary merit.