Colin Meloy–the lead singer and songwriter behind the critically acclaimed indie rock band The Decemberists–has sold a children’s series to HarperCollins after a five-publisher auction. Entitled Wildwood, the first book will be illustrated by Carson Ellis.

The three-book middle-grade series sold to Donna Bray, the co-publisher of the HarperCollins imprint Balzer & Bray. The deal was negotiated by Steven Malk of Writers House. Described as “a classic tale of adventure, magic, and danger, set in an alternate version of modern-day Portland, Oregon,” publication is set for fall 2011.

Meloy (pictured, via) had this statement: “The germ of this series goes back a long way … For me, this is the culmination of a long-term collaboration with Carson, matching words and art. I grew up on a steady diet of Lloyd Alexander, Roald Dahl, and Tolkien; this is our humble paean to that grand tradition of epic adventure stories.”