According to a royal family expert, there are discussions reportedly underway between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle regarding a second book, with the intention of adopting a friendlier tone.
Speculation has arisen that Harry may pen another book following his lucrative deal with Penguin Publishers in 2022. This speculation is fueled by Harry's previous hints at a follow-up, during which he mentioned removing over 400 pages from the original manuscript.
Royal expert and author Tom Quinn suggests that Harry and Meghan have contemplated a second book, albeit without the shocking claims of the first, as the couple reportedly seeks to build bridges with the royal family. Quinn stated to the Mirror, "I'm told the couple have discussed Harry writing another book.
He can't write another 'Spare', but he'll be aware that writing a more consolatory book might even help their relations with his brother." Beyond the prospect of another book, Harry is unlikely to pursue his own commercial projects, according to Quinn, who notes Harry's demeanor in interviews as evidence of this tendency.
After the release of "Spare," critics claimed that the memoir missed important parts of Harry's life, such as his decision to step down from the royal family with Meghan Markle and their relocation to the United States. It was rumored that Harry had omitted content from his book to save material for a sequel, but Royal author Ingrid Seward believes he will leave memoir writing to his wife. Seward expressed doubt about Harry's inclination to write another book, suggesting that any subsequent publication would likely come from Meghan, who has bigger projects on the horizon. However, Seward also speculates that Meghan might pen her own memoir and earn significant revenue from it.
"Harry's Memoir: Spare" became a significant setback for both the author and the publisher, Penguin Random House. Released on January 10th, 2023, the book aimed to provide an honest account of Harry's life but instead turned into a bitter and self-indulgent critique of his family and the monarchy, filled with falsehoods, exaggerations, and accusations.
The public, media, and royal experts heavily criticized and mocked the book, branding Harry as unappreciative, disloyal, and hypocritical. Many readers found it dull, repetitive, and poorly written, leading to low ratings on platforms like Goodreads and Amazon.
Expert analysis revealed that Harry's book received the fourth-lowest rating among celebrity authors over the past three years, averaging only 1.5 out of five. In contrast, esteemed figures like Paul McCartney garnered high ratings, with his lyrics achieving an impressive 4.75 out of five. The negative reception directly impacted sales, falling far below expectations. "Spare" sold only 200,000 copies worldwide, while McCartney's lyrics surpassed 2 million copies sold. Harry's book failed to make it into the top 10 bestseller lists in the UK and the US, whereas McCartney's lyrics dominated charts in both countries.
Penguin Random House, which reportedly paid Harry an advance of at least $20 million for the memoir, now faces significant losses, turning the venture into a costly blunder. Reports suggest that the publishers are demanding the return of the advance or a substantial portion, citing Harry's failure to fulfill promises and obligations.
The publisher is dissatisfied with Harry's lack of cooperation and promotion, as he declined interviews and events to support the book's launch. In response, Harry is hesitant to reimburse the money, blaming the publisher for the book's failure and accusing them of leaking it to the press before the release date, tarnishing its reputation and sales.
