Mailer’s Widow to Write Memoir

by Matthew Thornton -- Publishers Weekly, 2/26/2008 7:49:00 AM

Norman Mailer’s widow Norris Church Mailer has signed a deal to write a memoir of her life with the author and their extended families; David Ebershoff at Random House acquired world rights from John Taylor “Ike” Williams at Kneerim & Williams.

Mailer has been the subject of several biographies over the years, but this is the first significant book deal struck since the two-time Pulitzer winner’s death in November. Random bought the book on description only, according to Kneerim & Williams. No title or pub date is yet forthcoming.

Church Mailer, a former model, is the author of two novels, Windchill Summer and last year’s Cheap Diamonds; both were published by Random House. She was Mailer’s sixth wife and was married to him for 32 years.