Viking senior editor Molly Stern has bought a new novel from reclusive 21-year-old author JT LeRoy, whose first story collection, The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things, was published when he was in his teens, and whose novel Sarah was done by Bloomsbury two years ago. Stern bought North American rights from Ira Silverberg at Donadio & Olson, and will publish in spring 2004.... A satirical take on the children's classic Pat the Bunny has been put together by New Press executive director Diane Wachtell, and editor Patty Rice at Andrews McMeel bought world English rights from agent Laura Dail. Wachtell's illustrated spoof Pat the Money has the original's Paul and Judy as "babybusters" who can no longer afford the kind of life shown in the original.... Henry Ferris at William Morrow preempted a book by recently retired Yankee right fielder Paul O'Neill called Me and My Dad, in which he will talk about his career and his close relationship with his late father. The agent was Mel Berger at William Morris; publication is next spring.