Ellen Degeneres To Publish Book With Simon & Schuster

Posted on August 21, 2002

Simon & Schuster has acquired world publishing rights to a new book of comic essays by Emmy-winning writer and comedian Ellen DeGeneres. The book will be published in Fall 2003 to coincide with the launch of DeGeneres's new syndicated daytime talk show. Ellen's first book of humor, My Point ... and I Do Have One, was a #1 New York Times bestseller that spent 23 weeks on the hardcover Best Sellers list.

"Why write a second book, you ask?" said DeGeneres, "Because there are some words I didn't use in the first one."

The acquisition was made by Rob Weisbach, Vice President and Editor-at-Large of the S&S imprint in a deal negotiated by Esther Newberg and Eddy Yablans at International Creative Management. Weisbach published My Point ... and I Do Have One in 1995.

"I'm thrilled to be working with Rob again," DeGeneres said. "I can't imagine doing it with anyone else. A book, that is."

Weisbach said, "Ellen's ingenious wit was meant for the book page. And how lucky am I? Most people don't get to be entertained by the funniest woman on the planet while they work."

DeGeneres has won numerous awards for her work as a writer and actress on her comedy series Ellen including a Peabody Award, an Emmy Award, an American Comedy Award, and a People's Choice Award. DeGeneres made history in 1997 when her on-screen persona Ellen Morgan became the first openly gay leading character on television, landing DeGeneres on the cover of Time magazine. Most recently, DeGeneres starred in the CBS series The Ellen Show and hosted the Saturday Night Live Christmas special and the 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Ellen's nationally syndicated daytime talk show will begin airing in the fall of 2003.