Short Takes
by John F. Baker -- Publishers Weekly, 7/1/2002
Novelist Gail Godwin has written a brief fictionalized memoir about life with her late companion, composer Robert Starer, and Ballantine's Nancy Miller bought world rights from agent John Hawkins; it's called Evenings at Five, after the cocktail hour the pair used to share after their day's labors.... A novelist who began in the Christian field, then made the switch to Dutton for a two-book deal, has signed for a further pair with the house's Carole Baron; she's Augusta Trobaugh, and Baron bought North American rights in River Jordan, about black and white families in pre-integration Georgia, and a second book, from agent Harvey Klinger.... Alma Powell, wife of Secretary of State Colin Powell, is doing a pair of kids' books for HarperCollins's Susan Katz on behalf of the organization America's Promise, which she heads; the deal was signed with ICM's Marvin Josephson.... Cookbook specialist Rux Martin at Houghton Mifflin preempted the latest book by Jane and Michael Stern (Road Food); it's called I Hear America Eating, and Martin bought world rights plus audio from agent Doe Coover, for publication in spring 2004.... Warner's Rick Wolff preempted BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without B.L.O.W.I.N.G. It by Peggy Klaus, a "personal presentation consultant." She tells readers how to put their best selves forward in any circumstances. Wolff bought world English rights from agent James Levine and will publish in spring next year.... Author Diane Ackerman is moving to Scribner for her next book, to be called An Alchemy of Mind, all about the human brain. Senior editor Sarah McGrath bought North American rights from Virginia Barber at William Morris and will publish in fall 2004.
