book deal

Noun

book deal (plural book deals)

1. An agreement between a publisher and an author, by which the author agrees to write a certain number of books to be published by the publisher.
   • If an original screenplay is commissioned by a producer, or written on spec by a writer and then purchased by a producer, there may be an effort to make a book deal before a financier-distributor gets involved.2004, Jason E. Squire, The Movie Business Book, Third Edition, page 93
   • Dominick Dunne would arrive on the scene for an exclusive interview in Vanity Fair. Could a book deal be far behind?2008, Mickey Sherman, How Can You Defend Those People?, page 148
2. An agreement between a publisher and one or more individuals to permit the publisher to publish a book, typically written by a different author, about events in the life of the individuals.
   • He is guarded with the details of his upbringing because he thinks that he will be able to turn them into cash at some later date with a book deal.1998, Ken Dornstein, Accidentally, on Purpose: The Making of a Personal Injury Underworld in America, page 361
   • Some even had book deals and movie producers sniffing around to secure rights to their stories.2003, Jessica Weiner, A very hungry girl: how I filled up on life--and how you can, too!, page 151