Page 22 of The Player

Yeah, she could do this. Continue her WAG role a little longer, but behind the scenes this time. Had to be easier than strutting in front of A-listers and faking it.

But she’d told Wade to shove his offer so appearing too eager would be a dead giveaway something was wrong and she didn’t want him prying.

If she had to do this, it had to be a strictly business deal. From now on, her personal life was off-limits. Unless it involved inventing a little drama for the ghost writer.

‘What if I was crazy enough to reconsider your offer? What would it entail?’

He masked his surprise quickly. ‘We’d have a contract to you by this afternoon. Standard publishing contract with clearly stated royalty rates, world rights, advance, option to your next book.’

Next book? Heck, she could barely scrimmage enough suitably juicy info for this one. Though she’d love to publish a book raising the awareness of cerebral palsy and give an insight for carers. It was something she’d considered over the years: using her high profile to educate people regarding the lifelong condition.

But then she imagined the intrusiveness on Cindy’s life—the interview requests, the demands, the interference on her schedule, and the potentially damaging physical effects linked to emotional fragility in those with CP—and Liza balked.

Cindy thrived on routine and the last thing Liza wanted for her sister was a potential setback. Or, worse, increased spasticity in her muscles because she got too excited or too stressed. Most days were hard enough to get through without added complications and that was what spotlighting her sister’s cerebral palsy could do.

Embellishing her so-called glamorous life and leaving Cindy out of it would be a lot easier.

‘How much is the advance?’

He named a six-figure sum that made her head spin. Were people that desperate to read a bunch of stuff about her life?

Considering how she’d been occasionally stalked by paparazzi eager for a scoop while dating Jimmy and Henri, she had her answer.

‘The advance is released in increments. A third on signing, a third on acceptance of the manuscript, and a third on publishing.’

‘And when would that be?’

‘Six months.’

She laughed. ‘You’re kidding? How can you publish a book in six months?’

‘Buyers are lined up. A ghost writer is ready to start tomorrow if you can. Week-long interview process, two weeks writing the book, straight to copy and line editors, then printers.’

Liza knew little about publishing but marketing was her game and she’d interned at a small publishing house while at uni. No way could a book get turned around in six months. It took an average of eighteen months to get a paperback on shelves.

‘Do you have a marketing plan?’

A slight frown creased his brow. ‘I have to admit, Qu is lagging in that department at the moment. I want to bring the company into the twenty-first century with online digital instalments of books, massive social media campaigns, exclusive digital releases on our website, subscribers, that kind of thing.’

‘So what’s the problem? Hire someone.’

He tugged at his cuffs, the first sign she’d seen him anything but confident since she’d arrived.

‘Turnaround time on this book is tight.’

‘I’ll say.’ She shook her head. ‘Six-month release date? Impossible.’

‘And you can say that with your extensive publishing experience?’

She didn’t like his sarcasm, didn’t like the fact it hurt more.

‘Matter of fact, I interned for a publisher during my marketing degree.’

‘Next you’ll be telling me you’re applying for the job.’

And just like that, Liza had a bamboozling idea. For the first time since that soul-destroying phone call earlier, hope shimmered to life and gave her the confidence to retake control of her life.

‘That’s a great idea. Why don’t you give me the marketing job on this book and I’ll make sure it’s the best damn book this company has ever published?’

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