The Penguin Group has acquired the North American and audio rights to the Diary of Alicia Keys as well as a Songbook of poems and lyrics. The Songbook will be published by Putnam in hardcover in November 2004, with a Berkley paperback edition coming in 2005. The Diary of Alicia Keys will be published in hardcover by Putnam in Fall 2005, with a Berkley paperback edition to follow in 2006.
"It isn't everyday you are offered the opportunity to publish someone as unbelievably talented as Alicia Keys," said Ms. Carole Baron, President of G.P. Putnam's Sons. "Her story is as inspiring as it is astonishing, and we are excited to be publishing her story, in her own words."
Mr. David Highfill, senior editor of G.P. Putnam's Sons, commented, "I'm a huge fan of Keys, especially her genius for mixing styles from jazz to hip-hop to classic 70s soul to create a sound and mood that's completely contemporary and completely her own. But it's the wisdom and emotional power of her lyrics that reveal the warmth and dignity she brings to her composition. Her words and her music are a stunning combination and I believe we will be reveling in her art and listening to what she has to say for many years to come."
Alicia Keys is a devoted reader of books, classical and contemporary, and she is genuinely committed to keeping it real when relating to others and charting her path in life. Her lyrics are a strong testament to that fact. Her DIARY will be a unique reflection of her childhood in New York's Hell's Kitchen, the daughter of a single mother, her very early musical education and growing skill, and her phenomenal rise to pop stardom. She sees the value of loyalty, integrity, courage and determination, and that belief has influenced her music and in turn the world.
When she was only twenty years old, Alicia Keys' debut album, Songs in A Minor, catapulted her into the music limelight when it debuted at number one on music charts and stayed in the top 20 for 29 weeks. Over ten million copies of the album have been sold worldwide and she has won five Grammy Awards, in addition to a plethora of other accolades. Her sophomore album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, sold more than 617,000 copies in its debut week in December 2003 and has currently sold more than 2.7 million copies. Not only is she a commercial success, but she also enjoys high critical acclaim for her work and is known for her strong vision.
Penguin Group owns a wide range of imprints and trademarks.