HarperCollins has announced a two-year deal with FremantleMedia Enterprises, Syco Entertainment and Modest! Management to publish The X Factor winner's books, beginning this year with the season 7 winner, whose book will be released in conjunction with their first single at Christmas.
The first book will be published on Dec. 20, just five days after the winner is announced. The book will offer unseen photographs shot especially for the book by fashion photographer Simon Harris, backstage footage, behind-the-scenes gossip and the story of the winner's journey from hopeful to pop star. The book will also be accompanied by the release of an ebook of the winner's story 72 hours after the live finale. An enhanced version of this title will include unique video and audio materials from the winner.
"The show is an absolute juggernaut giving unsigned talent the most unbelievable platform—as we've seen with the success of JLS and the books that we have published with them," says Natalie Jerome, publishing director for non-fiction at HarperCollins. "We are pulling out all the stops to deliver not only the fastest book to press ever achieved, but a multimedia package that encompasses some truly groundbreaking digital activity. It is going to be a very exciting and busy Christmas!"
"The X Factor" is one of the U.K.'s biggest entertainment shows and now airs in more than 20 countries.