John Gertz, president of Zorro Productions, met Isabel Allende through mutual friends and mentioned that he was pitching a concept for a young readers book series. Allende asked to see the background materials and then, according to Gertz, "she just had to write the novel." In spring 2005, her tale of Zorro's coming-of-age will debut, followed by a series of YA books based on her original story. The novel and first three spin-offs, which are set for release in fall 2005—timed to the premiere of a second live-action Zorro film—are currently being auctioned.