Susan Spencer-Wendel, a journalist diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), has landed a $2.3 million book deal with HarperCollins.
Spencer-Wendel’s memoir, tentatively titled Breathe Deeply, chronicles the “beyond the bucket list” road trips she has taken since she the diagnosis. The Palm Beach Post reported that Dewey author Brett Witter will co-author the memoir.
Spencer-Wendel (pictured, via) was profiled on the Wall Street Journal‘s Speakeasy blog. Foundry Literary + Media agent Peter McGuigan read the piece and signed her as a client. According to Publisher’s Weekly, McGuigan supposedly pitched the manuscript as “the female version of The Last Lecture.” Editor Claire Wachtel acquired the memoir in a deal that includes North American rights.
THe Wall Street Journal also reported that Universal Pictures snatched up the film rights for seven figures. Here’s more from the article: “The writers have a deadline of December, but Spencer-Wendel, who is quickly losing the ability to speak and type, says they’re aiming to finish by October. And she’s vowed not to let her declining health stand in her way. ‘Will write till day I die,’ she said in a Facebook posting to her friends.”