Science fiction novelist John Scalzi will release the next book in his Old Man’s War series as a digital episodic novel. The Human Division serial will begin in December.

Tor senior editor Patrick Nielsen Hayden outlined the strategy in the release: “The Human Division will be an experiment: an episodic novel, released initially in digital, serialized form. Currently the plan is to publish these episodes weekly between December 2012 through February 2013. Like the episodes of a good high-end cable drama, each one will have enough internal integrity to work as an enjoyable chunk of story on its own, but each will advance a ‘season’-long storyline as well.”

The book will be released in traditional formats next year, once the experiment has concluded. Hayden hopes that the price for the complete serialized novel will be “about the same as buying the full eBook.”

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Thriller novelist Tess Gerritsen has inked a book deal with Ballantine Bantam Dell to publish two more Rizzoli & Isles books. The deal also included an e-original story called “John Doe.”

The books follow the adventures of homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and forensics pathologist Dr. Maura Isles, the inspiration for the TV series Rizzoli & Isles–just renewed by TNT for its fourth season.

Jane Rotrosen Agency agent Meg Ruley negotiated the deal with publisher Libby McGuire and editorial director Linda Marrow.

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Ann Coulter has landed a book deal with Penguin Group’s Sentinel imprint, scheduled to publish an unnamed book “directly relevant to the presidential election” in October.

William Morris Endeavor agent Mel Berger negotiated the deal with Sentinel publisher Adrian Zackheim. The book’s subject will remain “confidential for now,” according to the release.

Jason Pinter added some context to the move: Coulter had previously published her work with Random House’s Crown Forum imprint.

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Joe Muto, a former television producer at Fox News, has landed a memoir deal with Penguin Group (USA)’s Dutton imprint.

Muto, “a self described bleeding heart liberal,” wrote An Atheist in the Foxhole to recount his eight years at Fox which includes his time working with political commentator Bill O’Reilly. The nonfiction title is slated for publication in early 2013. Executive editor Jill Schwartzman oversaw this acquisition and secured world rights.

Here’s more from the release: “Having finally reached a breaking point, Muto decided to leak salacious bits of FoxNews gossip to the ultra-popular website, Gawker. He only lasted only 36 hours as theso-called “Fox Mole” before being discovered and suspended, but in those 36 hours,a record-breaking 8.5 million readers were fascinated by Muto’s bizarre and hilarious stories.”

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Novelist Abigail Tarttelin just landed a six-figure book deal with Orion Books UK for the UK and Commonwealth rights to her new book, Golden Boy.

Publication is set for May 2013. Agent Jo Unwin from Conville & Walsh negotiated the deal with Arzu Kahsin, the editor of The Kite Runner and The Tiger’s Wife.

Things didn’t always look this rosy for the young author. She debuted with Flick last year as a 22-year-old novelist, but her UK publisher promptly entered administration, dashing her hopes for a proper release. We caught up with the young novelist to find out more about her story…

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Gospel music star BeBe Winans has landed a book deal for a memoir about his friendship with the late singer Whitney Houston. Worthy Publishing will publish The Whitney I Knew in July, complete with photos and links to video performances.

Above, we’ve embedded footage of Winans’ moving tribute to Houston at her funeral. Here’s more about his upcoming memoir:

Winans met Houston at a concert in Detroit 26 years ago and quickly developed a close bond. They considered each other to be family … Delivering a moving eulogy at her nationally telecast funeral, BeBe Winans affirmed the truth about the Houston he knew for so long, relaying stories laced with humor and strength of spirit that characterized her life. “She gave us plenty of memories. In my heart and mind, I have so many great, great moments to share,” said Winans.

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Mortal Instruments author Cassandra Clare and The Spiderwick Chronicles author Holly Black have landed a book deal for a five-book middle grade fantasy series.

Scholastic will publish the first book, The Iron Trial, in 2014. Editorial director David Levithan negotiated the deal with literary agents Russell Galen (for Clare) and Barry Goldblatt (for Black).

Here’s more from the release: “In this exciting new series, twelve-year-old Callum Hunt has grown up knowing three rules by heart. Never trust a magician. Never pass a test a magician gives you. And never let a magician take you to the Magisterium. Callum is about to break all the rules. And when he does, his life will change in ways he can’t possibly imagine.”

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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Buzz Bissinger has published a sequel to his classic book about high school football, Friday Night Lights. Published through Byliner, the After Friday Night Lights eBook looks at the lives of the characters in a book that spawned a movie and a television show.

The book focuses on the journalist’s relationship with Boobie Miles, a promising football star in the original book. The $2.99 eBook is available through Apple, Amazon and Kobo. Check it out:

Heading into the 1988 season, Miles looked like a star-in-the-making, a sure bet to ascend to college and the NFL. Abandoned by his mother, beaten by his dad, he had scraped through a rough upbringing, but it appeared that success on the field was soon to redeem his pain. Then, in a meaningless preseason scrimmage, Boobie blew out his knee. By midseason he was off the team, no longer needed by his coaches, who had found themselves a new running back. After Friday Night Lights follows Boobie through the dark years he suffered after his injury right up to a hopeful present. It is the indelible portrait of the oddest of enduring friendships: that of a writer and his subject, a “neurotic Jew” and a West Texas oil-field worker, a white man raised in privilege and a black man brought up in poverty and violence, and a father and his “fourth son.”

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High-wire artist Philippe Petit has landed a deal with ABRAMS to publish his nonfiction title, Why Knot? How to Tie the Most Ingenious, Useful, Beautiful, Life-Saving, Magical, Intriguing, and Secure Knots Ever Knotted.

The book will be released in spring 2013. Publisher Steve Tager oversaw the acquisition of this title and secured world rights. Editor Laura Dozier will edit the project.

Here’s more from the release: “[This book] will explain how to tie sixty useful knots. All the knots included have been put to task during one wire walk or another; each passed the ultimate test: to hold a man’s life. All of the sketches and drawings are by Petit himself, and many are beautifully wrought works of art that have been exhibited at the Clic Gallery in Soho. The book will also include photographs of Petit’s major high-wire walks, with explanations of how specific knots have been put to significant use. Why Knot? comes with a little red rope—similar to the one Petit carries in his pocket at all times—that will allow readers to practice their new knot skills.”

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Sh*t Girls Say creators Kyle Humphrey and Graydon Sheppard have inked a book deal with Harlequin.  A book based on the popular YouTube video series is scheduled for a fall 2012 release.

The first video (embedded above) has already generated more than 16 million views on YouTube. Creative Artists Agency negotiated the deal with executive editor Deborah Brody.

Here’s more from the release:  “In the irreverent spirit of Humphrey and Sheppard’s YouTube videos and Twitter feed—which allows Graydon Sheppard to famously exhibit his feminine side—the book will feature full-color images that capture the hilarious essence of everyday phrases used by women. Quirky and fun, the print edition of Sh*t Girls Say will appeal to the millions of devotees of this pop culture phenomenon.”

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