In a pre-London Book Fair auction, publisher Hodder and Stoughton has acquired the world rights to an updated and revised version of Freddie Mercury: The Definitive Biography authored by Lesley-Ann Jones. Although an exact number was not revealed, the deal is reportedly worth “high five-figures.”
According to The Bookseller, nonfiction editor Hannah Black negotiated the deal, securing world rights, with Mulcahy Conway Associates literary agent Ivan Mulcahy. A publication date has been set for 2012 to synchronize with the release of the Freddie Mercury biopic starring Sacha Baron-Cohen as Queen’s lead singer.
Jones (pictured, via) released the original version of her Freddie Mercury biography with Hodder and Stoughton in 1997. In the past, she has also written titles profiling pop star Kylie Minogue and supermodel Naomi Campbell.