Running with a Two-Book Deal
Last year was something of a renaissance for Joseph Simmons, aka Rev Run, one of the founding members of the '80s rap group Run-DMC, whose current MTV show Run's House, which reveals the home life of the now-reverend and his family, has struck a chord with a multigenerational audience. HarperCollins's Dawn Davis has now acquired world rights, from agent Jillian Manus, to Words of Wisdom, a "best-of" anthology of Rev Run's words of inspiration and motivation, which come to him in his bathtub and conclude every episode of Run's House. For the past two years, Run's words of wisdom have been e-mailed to a list of luminaries, including P. Diddy and Serena Williams. Harper's Amistad imprint plans to crash the book out in April to coincide with the new season of the show. Davis also acquired Rev Run's wife Justine Simmons's God, Can You Hear Me?, the first in a proposed series of spiritual children's books.
Two for Delbourgo
Former publishing executive Lisa Robyn has sold a business book to Tricia Boczkowski and Jennifer Bergstrom at Simon Spotlight Entertainment, who acquired North American rights at auction from agent Joelle Delbourgo. The book, the title of which is under wraps, will provide a new model for how women can succeed in the workplace by identifying how and when to adopt different roles. Drawing on her own experience, as well as the experience of other women in a variety of fields, Robyn's book will emphasize a creative "bag of tricks" and seven "disciplines" that will help women exercise their true power in the boardroom. A publication date of spring 2007 is expected.
Delbourgo also accepted a preemptive offer from Holt's Sarah Knight, in her first acquisition for the house, for Maxim editor Chuck Thompson's Smile When You Are Lying. This will be an uncensored look at the travel industry and what lies underneath the brochures. Knight acquired world rights and plans to publish in summer 2007.
Ginger's Book for Kids
Tina Louise, best known as "Ginger" on the classic show Gilligan's Island, will write When I Grow Up, a story that uses animals and insects to offer career advice to children. Howard Reeves, v-p and publisher of Abrams Books for Young Readers, acquired world rights from lawyer Jeremy Nussbaum. Louise, who has become a passionate literacy advocate, was reportedly inspired to write the book as a result of her mentoring young readers. When I Grow Up will be illustrated by Oliver Corwin and published in fall 2006.
Calhoun Rebounds
Agent Noah Lukeman has resold world rights to Winning Every Day: 10 Leadership Secrets for Success in Business, Sports and Life by famed University of Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun to Marc Resnick at St. Martin's. Lukeman had sold the same book to publisher M. Evans last year, before the house was sold to Rowman & Littlefield. Over the past 20 years, Calhoun has built the UConn basketball program into an national powerhouse. The motivational book will be co-written by Richard Ernsberger, an editor at Newsweek. Publication is set for January 2007, to coincide with the height of basketball season.
Flocker Back to Da Capo
Da Capo executive editor Marnie Cochran has signed Michael Flocker for a fourth book with the house, tentatively titled The Real Office Survival Guide, from Adam Chromy at Artists and Artisans. Flocker, the author of The Metrosexual Guide to Style, will provide a humorous guide to succeeding in corporate culture, navigating the office and its dress codes, cubicles, politics, lingo, computer and e-mail disasters. Cochran acquired world rights and will publish in fall 2006.
