Amanda Hocking, self-publishing star, finds four-book deal

Amanda Hocking, the self-publishing star whose books -- particularly e-books -- have sold more than a million copies this year, has signed a four-book deal with traditional publisher St. Martin's Press, the New York Times reports.

As we noted Tuesday, Hocking, a 26-year-old Minnesotan, was said to be looking for a deal with a publisher. Commenters on our post were against the move: "I hope she decides against going the traditional publishing route," wrote Avid Reader. "[T]his little gal has way too much life in her to let them suck her dry."

But maybe $2 million from a traditional publisher is juicy enough:

The bidding eventually rose beyond $2 million for world English rights, said one publishing executive familiar with the negotiations. (St. Martin’s declined to comment on how much it agreed to pay.) Ms. Hocking was represented by the literary agent Steven Axelrod.

Hocking, who writes urban fantasy novels, will begin a new series with St. Martin's. "Watersong," a four-book series for young adults, will begin in the fall of 2012.

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Photo: Amanda Hocking at her Minnesota home. Credit: Robb Long / Associated Press

Comments

[Michel]

The NYT describes this girl as "an indie heroine in the literary world "

If the "literary world" chooses its heroines about how much money they can make writing tween vampire porn, I never wish to read anything from said world ever again. Publishing has always been degraded but this is the cake taker.