Big Deal for Debut Novelist

by John F. Baker -- Publishers Weekly, 10/4/2004

Delaune Michel is a member of a literary family that includes the late Andre Dubus (an uncle) and James Lee Burke (a cousin), and has written award-winning short stories, so her first novel was eagerly awaited. It was swiftly pre-empted as part of a two-book, six figure deal by Carrie Feron at Morrow. The first book is called Aftermath of Dreaming and has been pitched as a cross between Anita Shreve and Jane Green, the story of a woman's struggle, both funny and poignant, to escape a perfect man. Feron bought world English rights from agent Eileen Cope at Lowenstein-Yost, who is expecting great things of the book at Frankfurt. Michel herself, in addition to her literary gifts, is also an actress who has played in theater, movies and TV.