Ashley Smith Writes Book About Her Hostage Ordeal

Posted on June 16, 2005

Ashley Smith, the woman who convinced convicted courtroom killer Brian Nichols to surrender, is going to be publishing a book about her ordeal called Unlikely Angel. The book will be co-published by William Morrow and Zondervan. Zondervan also published The Purpose-Driven Life, which is the book Ashley Smith says she read excerpts from to calm her kidnapper Brian Nichols. Smith says the book helped to calm Nichols. The Associated Press says that after the hostage ordeal Smith was bombarded with everything from book deals to marriage proposals:

"I'm uncomfortable becoming the focus of this event, which left so many families in tragedy," she said in a news release. "But after prayerful consideration, I believe that God is calling me to use this opportunity to not only turn my own life around but also to inspire others to do that, too."

After the hostage ordeal, Smith was bombarded with offers for books, movies, speaking engagements and even a few oddball marriage proposals. Following months of negotiations, she struck a deal with HarperCollins.