Mitch Albom Signs Three Book Deal With HarperCollins

Posted on May 2, 2013

Mitch Albom has signed a three book deal with Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. He was previously with Hyperion. Albom has published five consecutive number one New York Times bestsellers, so his move from Hyperion to HarperCollins is significant for both publishers. PublishersWeekly reports that Disney's Hyperion "may be moving further away from a standard frontlist publishing program."

The deal was negotiated by SVP, Publisher Jonathan Burnham and SVP, Executive Editor, Karen Rinaldi with David Black from the David Black Agency. Albom's next novel, The First Phone Call from Heaven, will be published on 11-12-13.

Albom said in a Facebook entry, "The First Phone Call From Heaven, my new novel, is out 11/12/13!! I wanted you, my friends and loyal readers, to hear it from me. Am breaking some new ground today! Will be publishing a brand new novel for the first time ever in November (usually September), first time ever in a consecutive year from last book (thank you, caffeine!) and first time ever with HarperCollins, my new publishing partner. It's a magical story about what happens when one little town, way up north, starts getting calls from souls in heaven. Who believes, who doesn't? Who flocks to join them? Who points fingers and calls them fools? And ultimately, what happens to the world when the biggest mystery of life seems suddenly solved? I'm having a great time writing it, and I am really happy to be sharing this with you. A cover will be revealed soon. Meanwhile, would love to hear your early thoughts. And don’t forget to let your fellow readers know. Thanks, as always, for being such a wonderful part of my world!"