That seems to be somewhat of a trend these days, with two high-powered music stars signing in the same week for books designed to help their many fans cope better with their lives. At Random House, editor-in-chief
Jonathan Karp signed pop singer
Clay Aiken for a book to be called
Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, in which Aiken will tell of people who taught him important lessons about life in his rapid ascent, first to special education teacher, then to music stardom via American Idol. Author
Alison Glock will be his collaborator, and the world rights deal was signed with
Alan Nevins of the Firm in Hollywood, for publication in November. A much more seasoned music star and TV performer,
Tanya Tucker, signed her deal with
Trish Todd at S&S's Fireside imprint. It's for an anthology, compiled by Tucker, called
100 Ways to Beat the Blues, and will feature a mix of celebs (including former President George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara, Loretta Lynn and Jerry Orbach), plus "just plain folk," describing their own recipes for happiness. This was a deal for world rights plus first serial, signed with
Cathie Pelletier, for publication next March.
