Yahoo News Viola Davis & James Patterson To Cowrite Novel In Splashy Deal With Little, Brown And Company
Viola Davis and bestselling author James Patterson have signed with Little, Brown and Company to co-write a novel. Davis has won the Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Grammy, and she has already made the bestseller lists with her memoir Finding Me. Patterson is a fixture on the bestseller lists, most recently for Eruption, the number one bestselling collaboration with the late Michael Crichton.
Set in the present-day rural south, the novel follows a dynamic and brilliant female judge on the brink of a decision with seismic repercussions for her small county, and potentially the whole nation. It puts her career, principles, and ultimately her life at stake. The novel will be published in association with JVL Media, the media packaging firm and independent publisher founded by Davis, Julius Tennon and Lavaille Lavette. The novel will be published as a lead title by Little, Brown and Company in 2025 or 2026, specific date to be announced along with a title.
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Hachette Book Group will distribute the book in North America and Century, an imprint of Penguin Random House UK, will distribute in the UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canada). The rights were sold by Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell of Williams & Connolly.
In a statement, Davis said she was “beyond excited to partner with the legendary James Patterson on our novel. James’s ability to weave compelling narratives with depth and suspense is unparalleled, and I am honored to work alongside him. Writing about a character as compelling as Judge Mary Stone has been an extraordinary experience, and I believe readers will be deeply moved by her journey. This collaboration is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to share the fruits of our creative synergy with the world.”
Said Patterson: “It is an honor to work with Viola Davis. I’ve long admired Viola as an actress, producer, and writer. Her memoir, Finding Me, was among the most insightful and uplifting I’ve ever read. Her gift of storytelling in film and beyond, as well as her generous spirit, is without peer. And there has rarely been a more important time to spotlight the subjects raised inthis novel. I could not have asked for a better partner than Viola.”
This is a coup for the publishing house. Hachette Book Group David Shelley called it “a real honor to be able to publish this unique collaboration between two remarkable creative forces. This is a story that I think will touch millions of readers around the world, and we have huge plans to get it into their hands.”
Said Little, Brown Publisher Sally Kim: “At the heart of any unforgettable narrative is a story you haven’t heard before, with characters you root for and ideas that challenge you and leave you forever changed. James Patterson and Viola Davis are two artists and storytellers at the absolute height of their game who do this with every work they engage in. This collaboration is a thrilling gift for everyone who values story.”
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