While sales of titles by some brand name authors have slowed in recent years, that hasn’t been the case with James Patterson and the prolific author has just inked a new 17-book deal that will keep him with publisher Hachette through 2012. The deal includes 11 adult titles, to be published in hardcover by Little, Brown and Company and in paperback by Grand Central Publishing, and six titles for young readers, to be published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
The contract includes new novels in Patterson’s three series of #1 bestselling detective novels, featuring Washington, D.C’s detective Alex Cross; San Francisco’s Women’s Murder Club; and NYC’s detective Michael Bennett. The books for young readers include new titles in the Maximum Ride and Daniel X series, and the Witch & Wizard series debuting this December. The contract also features new stand-alone novels, summer thrillers, nonfiction books, and what Hachette calls "other surprises." In a statement, Patterson said ,"I love writing stories. I have more to tell and I’m thrilled that the wonderful Hachette Book Group will continue to be my partner in exciting readers with these stories that I love.”
Patterson was represented in the negotiation by Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell of Williams & Connolly LLP.
