Short Takes

The authors of the TV hit Queer Eye for the Straight Guy have made a book deal for a companion volume with Clarkson Potter senior editor Chris Pavone, buying from Brian Lipson at Endeavor for publication next spring.... In another deal at the same house, editorial director Pam Krauss signed with ICM's Esther Newberg for two more books by the celebrated cookbook author and TV personality Ina Garten, aka the Barefoot Contessa: a basic cookbook and a collection of healthy recipes.... A book edited by New York Times sportswriter Ira Berkow, published in hardcover by Morrow three years ago, has found a paperback home. It's Court Vision, an anthology of what basketball means to them by scores of famous folk, and the sale to the University of Nebraska Press, which is good with such books, was made by agent Andrew Blauner.... Counterpoint's Dawn Seferian bought a major bio of the late author/playwright Lillian Hellman by Deborah Martinson, North American rights, from agent Sandy Dijkstra.... Senior editor Martin Beiser, a newcomer at the Free Press, bought a joint bio of boxer Muhammad Ali and sportscaster Howard Cosell from agent David Black, world and audio rights.... Josh Behar at HarperEntertainment bought a first novel about the Hollywood celebrity life called Chore Whore direct from author Heather Howard, who has made a career as a celebrity assistant in the movie capital.