Joe Biden’s memoir deal is a stark reminder of how far his market appeal has declined compared to that of his predecessors.
This latest reversal of fortunes leaves many to question how he stacks up against other Democrats, such as Obama and Clinton.
At a Glance
- Biden’s memoir advance is only $10 million, a fraction of the $65 million for the Obamas.
- The memoir market for political figures has cooled significantly.
- The publishing industry is facing declining sales of political titles.
- Biden’s presidency was marked by intense polarization and health scrutiny.
Biden’s Memoir Deal Falls Short
Biden’s post-White House memoir has sold to Hachette Book Group for a mere $10 million advance.
This figure is notably lower than the advances secured by Barack Obama, who landed a jaw-dropping $65 million deal, and Bill Clinton, who received $15 million for his memoir “My Life.”
The disparity has sparked discussions about market value and public interest in Biden’s narrative.
Biden suffers humiliating blow as memoir sells for paltry amount compared to Obama, Clinton https://t.co/U4UVSHIbix
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) July 24, 2025
The publishing industry is grappling with a saturated market for political books and declining sales for recent titles. Biden’s tenure, spanning from 2021 to 2025, was marked by political polarization and intense scrutiny of his health, ultimately leading to his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
Despite these challenges, Biden sought to shape the narrative around his presidency and the events leading to his exit through his memoir.
Stakeholders and Their Motivations
Biden is keen on shaping his legacy and providing his account of his time at the White House. Financial considerations are also at play, with Biden reportedly hoping for a more lucrative deal.
Hachette Book Group, the publisher, is responsible for editing, marketing, and distributing the memoir. Despite the prestige of publishing a presidential memoir, they are cautious due to current market trends.
Biden’s literary agent, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), aims to maximize the advance and terms for their client. Jill Biden could have potentially increased the deal’s value to $30 million if she had been included as a co-author, but she is not currently involved.
The reading public, alongside political commentators, will scrutinize the memoir for insights into Biden’s health, decision-making, and intra-party conflicts.
Current Developments and Market Trends
Biden’s memoir has been sold to Hachette for an advance of approximately $10 million, and no publication date has been set as of July 24, 2025.
Biden has publicly stated he is working diligently to finish the memoir, which will focus on his four years in office and the events leading to his withdrawal from the 2024 race. Insiders suggest a joint deal with Jill Biden could have fetched up to $30 million, but she is not involved.
The relatively low advance is seen as a reputational blow for Biden, signaling diminished market enthusiasm compared to his predecessors.
The deal reflects broader industry trends: declining sales for political nonfiction and increased risk aversion among publishers. The memoir’s content could influence Biden’s historical legacy, especially concerning his health, decision-making, and the circumstances of his 2024 withdrawal.
Expert Perspectives and Market Implications
Industry experts note that the market for political memoirs is saturated, with advances increasingly tied to realistic sales projections rather than prestige alone.
Book agents and editors have cited “glut” and “fatigue” in the political nonfiction market, with even well-publicized books underperforming.
Some commentators argue that the lower advance reflects the overall decline in political book sales, while others view it as an indication of diminished public interest in Biden’s narrative.
The memoir’s eventual content and reception may influence both Biden’s legacy and future publishing deals for political figures.
The deal’s size may discourage other publishers from offering large advances for political memoirs in the near term, prompting them to seek more diverse or non-political nonfiction projects. The memoir’s reception could also affect public perceptions of Biden’s presidency and the Democratic Party’s internal dynamics.
