The Observer looks at book proposals about the financial meltdown. Joe Nocera and Bethany McLean have one out for a “definitive chronicle of the stunning financial crisis” through Darhansoff, Verrill and Feldman, and the asking price “is said to be more than $1 million.” Nocera says, “We want to write the big book, and I’m not afraid of saying that. It will be a book for the ages and–I know this is going to sound egomaniacal, but–between our contacts and our reporting skills and our writing skills, I think we’ll be pretty tough to beat.” Newsweek’s Daniel Gross is aiming […]
Deals
Sparks Writes for Both Grand Central and Miley Cyrus
Nicholas Sparks’s new novel, for publication in fall 2009, is being written simultaneously with the author’s own adaptation of that story as a starring vehicle for Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus (Offspring Entertainment is producing, for Walt Disney Pictures). Sparks had pitched “a premise for a novel that intrigued Cyrus, her family and the producers,” Variety says, though no details are being shared. Sparks says, “This is similar to the way it’s gone with movies based on my novels; it’s just out of order. Certain opportunities garner your interest, and this was one of those.”Variety
Inside Harper Studio
Bob Miller’s start-up unit Harper Studio is blogging via the new site 26thStory.com, and they have announced their initial batch of acquisitions from almost 25 authors via the site. The imprint will launch in April 2009 with a collection of previously unpublished Mark Twain stories (see below). Among the other titles signed so far are former Disney ceo Michael Eisner writing on “great business partnerships,” including his with the late Frank Wells; actor John Lithgow’s memoir; Moosewood Cookbook author Mollie Katzen starts a series for beginning cooks; author Richard Carlson’s (Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff) widow Kris on finding her […]
S&S Children's Starts Film Unit
Simon & Schuster’s Children’s division has partnered with Gotham Group, a Los Angeles-based management firm, to develop book properties for film, starting with Alienated, director David O. Russell’s upcoming middle-grade book series. “It’s about having more control in the process,” Rick Richter, president and publisher of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, told the New York Times. The Times offers a painstakingly clueless account of how this might aid S&S, with no sense of other film partnerships struck by other big six houses recently.NYT
Former New Lines Execs to Produce Asimov's Foundation
Founders of New Line Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne will produce a film version of Isaac Asimov’s FOUNDATION trilogy for Warner Bros. as the first deal for their new company Unique Features. But this unique project was picked up in turnaround from Fox (which released I, Robot in 2004). Shaye tells Hollywood Reporter, “Our idea [is] to renew the worldwide audience’s appetite for the story.” HR