Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen To Write A Book For Young Readers....Called "Influence"

Writing the straight headline doubles as a punchline: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have signed with Penguin Young Readers to write a new book, with the working title Influence, introducing them to the towering figures that have influenced the "Business Women, Designers and Global Style Icons." Don't look for Margaret Thatcher or Golda Meir here, though — these are more the folks you'd find on PatrickMcMullan:

Influence introduces readers to respected artists, seasoned designers and others who have influenced Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen over the past decade. The book will feature influential figures including; Christian Louboutin, Lauren Hutton, Bob Colacello, Terry Richardson, Jack Pierson and Robert Lee Morris. A coffee table book, Influence includes exclusive photographs of Ashley and Mary-Kate from world renowned photographer Rankin, and a wide variety of other never-before-seen materials and interviews from Mary-Kate and Ashley's personal collections. This unique book is edited by fashion and arts writer Derek Blasberg and designed by eminent book designer Rodrigo Corral.

These, according to Ashley, are "the most interesting, challenging, creative people we know — the ones who helped pave the way for us and our generation." Adds Mary-Kate: "Ashley and I interviewed the people who have inspired us, with the hope that they will inspire and teach others."

There's no question that these two have influence themselves — they built a multi-million dollar business by the time they hit puberty and had possibly the most hotly anticipated 18th birthday in history (and maybe the shortest NYU tenure). They're now 21, moguls and fashion icons, and have lately been famous for all sorts of other things.

The book is due in fall 2008 and will be published with Penguin's hip YA Razorbill imprint; the deal was brokered by Razorbill president and publisher Ben Schrank and Jill Zimmerman, EVP of Dualstar Entertainment Group. Kudos to the Penguin PR department for providing completely separate and distinct bios for the twins, which we have provided after the jump.

Ashley Olsen

Admired for founding the luxury brand The Row, Ashley Olsen is a designer, entrepreneur, actress and style icon, not to mention one of the most influential young women in the fashion and entertainment industries. The Row, launched in 2006, was quickly picked up by high end retailers globally. Following on the heels of its success, Ashley ventured with her sister Mary-Kate into the contemporary market with the Elizabeth and James brand. Ashley was recently named "Fashion's New It Girl" by Harper's Bazaar.

Mary-Kate Olsen

Revered for her eclectic style and old Hollywood soul, Mary-Kate Olsen is an actress, designer, style icon and entrepreneur. Her influence in fashion has been recognized around the world and she currently co-designs The Row and Elizabeth and James with her sister and business partner, Ashley. Most recently, she has completed a recurring role on the hit TV show "Weeds" and wrapped the film "The Wackness" with Sir Ben Kingsley. The Hollywood Reporter named Mary-Kate one of the "Most Powerful Women in Hollywood."

Comments

[ergoth]

05:44 PM on 02/28/2008

these two talentless idiots are the perfect example of american celebrity culture. they got obscenely rich peddling crap to toddlers and now they think they have actual careers. can either of these two act? no. sing? no. one thinks she's a designer? ha ha ha ha....... sure. and if things had worked out differently marketing wise gary coleman would be puff diddy daddy today.

[desertdweller]

05:30 PM on 02/28/2008

Why not call it "Skanks for the memories>"

[loki]

01:46 PM on 02/28/2008

Somehow I doubt they will write anything. Someone will write it, they will get their name on it.
I doubt these two could spell their names. They are to busy dating old men like Lance Armstrong and other more important things. They have to set examples for the children who grew up with them , dont they.

[indyny]

12:17 PM on 02/28/2008

Ms. Sklar: I'm glad you have finally found your niche. Stick with the entertainment shtick - politics is just too complicated and nuanced for such a superficial mind.

[GlimmerofDope]

09:52 AM on 02/28/2008

Silence! The offspring of Skeletor have something to say!

[Doug Watt]

08:00 PM on 02/27/2008

Finally, a topic you can write about with depth and authority, Rachel. This is your milieu, please give us more in this vein.

[GrouchoMarxist]

07:34 PM on 02/27/2008

Olsen Twins to Write Book on "Influence"...

Shortly After Being Caught Driving Under the Influence.

[Wolfgang]

06:36 PM on 02/27/2008

All that money and they are still homely looking.

[wadenelson1]

06:25 PM on 02/27/2008

Cuuute little vampires..

OUCH! Why did you bite me????

[whizzobutter]

04:57 PM on 02/27/2008

First off, why is Huff reposting this press release? Second, fashion icons? They both dress like high end bag ladies.

[amanda85]

04:18 PM on 02/27/2008

It'll be forgotten in a New York minute...

[rektruax]

10:44 AM on 02/28/2008

I have young daughters so it's OK for me to get that reference right?

[thebanana]

01:55 PM on 02/27/2008

Like these two bimbos have anything to say...

[BPCentrisAmerican]

01:24 PM on 02/27/2008

Who cares.

[rroy]

01:05 PM on 02/27/2008

They sure were cute kids from their earliest beginning in show biz up to and through their adolescence.

I am one hell of a long way from being a fan nut,I walk by all these goofy Mags at the check out counter and hardly glance at the garbage I see there,but I have always found the Olsen girls attractive and fun to watch.

I gotta admit,celebrety life looks like it's loaded with all kinds of perks,but the slide down from the top must be pretty traumatic.

Personaly,I wouldn't give a nickel for it.

[mrcontinental]

12:54 PM on 02/27/2008

Shouldn't that be Under the Influence?