Amanda Knox signs a massive book deal with HarperCollins

Amanda Knox, the 24-year-old American who was imprisoned on murder charges for four years in Perugia, Italy, has signed a book deal with HarperCollins for close to $4 million, the New York Times reports. A heated auction for the book rights had been ensuing for four days.

Four months ago, Knox was released from Italian prison and acquitted of charges that she murdered her roommate Meredith Kercher. During her incarceration, Knox, who studied creative writing, kept a diary that will now help shape the book.

Said HarperCollins in a statement: “Knox will give a full and unflinching account of the events that led to her arrest in Perugia and her struggles with the complexities of the Italian judicial system. … Aided by journals she kept during her imprisonment, Knox will talk about her harrowing experience at the hands of the Italian police and later prison guards and inmates. She will reveal never before-told details surrounding her case, and describe how she used her inner strength and strong family ties to cope with the most challenging time of her young life.”

Back when Knox’s conviction was overturned in Oct. 2011, EW spoke to prominent publishing insiders about the industry’s interest in a book written by Knox. A major literary agent told EW, “I think her experience in her own voice, that includes the verdict, that includes coming home, that includes reintegration into American society, and what she thinks of her future as a free person and what she’s going to do with herself, is an important part of the last act of this story.” He correctly predicted that the book deal, due to enormous international interest, would go for a huge amount of money.

The prospects for the sales of the book hinge on the nation’s belief in Knox’s guilt or innocence. “People vote at the bookstore when it comes to any big case,” an editor said to EW. “You need to ask, ‘Where is the court of public opinion on this?’ That’s who’s going to buy the account.”

Knox’s memoir is tentatively slated for an early 2013 release. Will you be picking up a copy? Or does the whole thing disgust you?

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