Big Win for Hyperion: Travolta

by John F. Baker -- Publishers Weekly, 9/20/2004

Hyperion editor-in-chief Will Schwalbe emerged the winner from a long-running auction for a memoir by movie idol John Travolta. The deal, which is said to be worth more than $2.5 million for North American, audio and first serial rights, was signed with agent Susan Crawford, and the book, which Travolta will write by himself, is due in fall 2006. Travolta noted that he was just turning 50 and thought he should write his story while he could still fit it all in one book. Schwalbe recalled that in Travolta's long career he had many notable friendships, about which he will write, with a range of personalities from Marlon Brando to Princess Diana; his book, said the editor, would be likely to "surprise, move and entertain readers on every page."