A new five-book deal was struck at Kensington with veteran bestseller Fern Michaels, for five women's novels, three hard/soft and two as mass market originals. Michaels has published many books with the company over her career—the house is even now bringing back some of her hardcovers as Zebra paperbacks—and she also publishes through Atria and Pocket Books. Kensington CEO Steve Zacharius negotiated the deal with agent Martin Friedman at McLaughlin & Stern, and the books will be edited by Audrey LaFehr. The next title in Michaels's Sisterhood series for the house, Payback, is due in June.