Debut Novels
Houghton's Anjali Singh has acquired North American rights to Rudolph Delson's Maynard & Jennica from Jay Mandel at William Morris. This comic novel uses a wildly diverse cast and dozens of narrators (35 in all) to paint a multifaceted portrait of 21st-century New York City, while telling what is at heart a simple love story. Delson left his job as a lawyer the day before his 30th birthday to write the book; he lives in Brooklyn. Rights have thus far been sold in the U.K. (Fourth Estate), Italy, Holland, Germany and Israel. Houghton will publish in spring 2008.
Holt's Jennifer Barthjust bought Toby Barlow's Sharp Teeth, a novel in verse about rival gangs of werewolves struggling for dominance in Los Angeles, with a goodhearted dogcatcher and a female werewolf who wants out of her pack caught in the middle. The novel is described as capturing the feel of a graphic novel without the pictures. Gernert's Stephanie Cabot sold North American rights. Barlow, an advertising director, is a contributor to n+1and the Huffington Post. Holt will publish in fall 2007.
Everlasting Love
Fireside's Amanda Patten has acquired North American rights to Project Everlasting by JasonMiller and MatBoggs, in an auction conducted by Lisa Grubka at William Morris. The book will relate the adventures of these two 20-something bachelors who, in reaction to the current climate of starter marriages and escalating divorce rates, set out cross-country in an RV to interview couples married for more than 40 years and collect their advice on how to make a marriage work. Miller and Boggs were recently featured on The Today Show, which is following their RV tour. Fireside plans to publish in June 2007, in time for the summer wedding season.
On Mathematics
Dutton's Stephen Morrow has acquired world rights to George Szpiro's Poincaré'sConjecture from agent EdKnappman. The book will tell the story behind the breaking news of Grigori Perelman's historic proof of a conjecture that has challenged mathematicians for over a century; this proof is the first of the U.S. Clay Mathematics Institute's million-dollar Millennium Prize Problems to be solved. Perelman was due this week to receive a Fields Medal, known as the Nobel Prize of mathematics, for his theory, but has thus far refused the honor. Dutton will publish in summer 2007.
Black to Riverhead
Comedian Lewis Black will publish his second, as-yet-untitled book, which will take a look at religion in America, with Riverhead; Jake Morrissey bought world rights from Steve Fisher at Agency for the Performing Arts. Black's memoir Nothing's Sacredwas published by Simon Spotlight in 2005. Black, whose second solo comedy special aired on HBO in June, will be featured in three upcoming studio releases this year, including Barry Levinson's Man of the Year. Riverhead tentatively plans a spring 2008 publication.
Life of Shatner
William Shatner will write his autobiography, tentatively titled William Shatner: Me, So Far; Thomas Dunne bought world rights for his imprint at St. Martin's from Peter Sawyer and Carmen La Via at the Fifi Oscard Agency. Best known for his role on Star Trek, the actor will tell the story of his career and how he survived the ups and downs of a life in show business. The book will be written with David Fisher and is tentatively scheduled for a 2008 publication.
