News that Jordan’s contribution to the world of fiction, Crystal (159,407 sold and counting), is outselling the whole of the Booker shortlist (120,770 in total) might cause a shiver of alarm. But to devotees of the fast-growing genre of celebrity novels, it comes as no surprise.

With two novels published before the age of 29, Katie Price, to use her authorial name, is the Philip Roth of the market — but others are catching up. This autumn, Kerry Katona is publishing her first novel. Some feared Katona would have a devil of a job outdoing her autobiography, which featured Katona’s mother plying her teenage daughter with speed. Happily, Katona’s Tough Love — described as “a blend of Shameless and Footballer’s Wives” — does not alter the author’s gritty literary reputation a jot. Meanwhile, Nicole Richie is rumoured to be considering a follow-up to 2005’s The Truth About Diamonds.

The history of celebrity novelists is not a noble one. But whereas William Shatner (sci-fi, surprisingly) and Ethan Hawke (self-obsessed twaddle, surprisingly) took themselves relatively seriously, the new generation of celebrity novels offer a more voyeuristic appeal.

Under the forgiving banner of “fiction”, so much can be discussed. Naomi Campbell, who was clearly ahead of her time with her then-mocked 1994 novel, Swan, adhered to this template: “Swan is a leading supermodel but aware that she doesn’t want this life for ever.” Crystal features a young girl from humble beginnings who finds sudden fame. In Richie’s novel, the main character makes a reality TV show with a friend described as “inarticulate to the point of mental incompetence”. Obviously, this character was not inspired by Richie’s friend Paris Hilton in the slightest.

It is assumed that celebrity autobiographies are written with assistance, but when it comes to the novels, the line that they are self-penned is strictly maintained. Having someone write a novel for you smacks of getting someone to do your English GCSE coursework, a plot device that has sadly yet to feature in any of these novels. But then, inhaling ketamine (as showcased in Richie’s novel) or winning a reality TV show (Price) probably do offer superior literary fodder.