The Doctor Is In: Julius Erving Inks Deal For Autobiography Due Out May '13

Pro Basketball HOFer Julius Erving “has signed to write his autobiography” in what is “believed to be a $1 million deal,” according to Keith Kelly of the N.Y. POST. The book, tentatively titled “Dr. J,” will be co-written by SI's Phil Taylor and is "scheduled for publication in May 2013.” HarperCollins Exec Editor David Hirshey “acquired worldwide rights to the book from Erving’s business manager, Alan Rubin, and his literary agent, Matthew Guma.” Kelly wrote Erving “suffered a couple of well-publicized personal setbacks,” and since that time has “all but disappeared from the limelight.” Erving said, “I’m ready to talk about all those stories. People may have read some things, but they haven’t really heard about them in my voice. I want this to be Julius Erving, the good and the bad, flaws and all” (N.Y. POST, 9/7).

BOOK SHELF: In N.Y., John Williams reported Mets P R.A. Dickey has “signed a deal to publish three children’s books with Dial, an imprint of the publisher Penguin.” The first book, to “appear in fall 2013,” will be an adaptation of his memoir “Wherever I Wind Up.” That will be followed “by two picture books.” The first, slated for spring ‘14, will be titled “Knuckleball Ned.” Penguin said that the book is “in the early stages and still awaiting an illustrator” (NYTIMES.com, 9/7). Meanwhile, Gold Medal-winning U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas announced Thursday that she will write an "inspirational memoir," planned for December publication. The book will be titled “Grace, Gold and Glory, My Leap of Faith.” Zondervan “acquired the book” (PEOPLE.com, 9/6).