Astronaut Mark Kelly has inked a deal with with Paula Wiseman Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, for a picture book called Mousetronaut. Publication is set for October 9th.

Artist C. F. Payne will illustrate the book. Publisher Paula Wiseman will edit the book. Executive vice president Jon Anderson negotiated the deal with Williams & Connolly LLP attorney Robert B. Barnett.

Here’s more from the release: “Mousetronaut tells the story of a small mouse that wants nothing more than to travel to outer space. The little mouse works as hard as the bigger mice to show readiness for the mission . . . and is chosen for the flight! While in space, the astronauts are busy with their mission when only the smallest member of the crew can save the day.”

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Author Jeffrey Zaslow died in a tragic car accident last week. He was 53 years old.

His family has started a memorial webpage for the late author. Here’s more from the family: “Together with our close friends, we are mourning the loss of our uncle, brother, son, father and husband, Jeffrey Zaslow.  We are incredibly appreciative and in awe over the outpouring of love and condolences offered by so many around the world.  Your continued warm words are great comfort for all of us during this time.”

Zaslow was the author of The Magic Room and co-author of The Last Lecture, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope and Highest Duty. He also wrote as a columnist for the Wall Street Journal.

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Today Scribner announced a November 15 publication date for Gabrielle Giffords’ and Mark Kelly’s new memoir, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope.

Wall Street Journal columnist and The Last Lecture co-author Jeffrey Zaslow also worked on the book. The cover for the memoir is embedded above.

Here’s more from the release: “Gabby will be a deeply personal account of Gabrielle Giffords’ and Mark Kelly’s lives together, recounting their courtship, Ms. Giffords’ rise in U.S. politics, and the tragic January 8th shooting in Arizona which killed six people and gravely wounded Representative Giffords and twelve others.  The book will also tell the story of her recovery process and will trace Mark Kelly’s career from decorated Desert Storm combat pilot to his recent mission as the commander of Space Shuttle Endeavour’s final flight.”

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has landed a book deal with Scribner to write a memoir with her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly.  No publication date has been set and the book is currently untitled.

Here’s more from the release: “[It] will be a deeply personal account of Mark Kelly’s and Gabrielle Giffords’ lives together.  The memoir will recount their courtship, Ms. Giffords’ rise in U.S. politics, and the tragic January 8th shooting in Arizona which killed six people and gravely wounded Representative Giffords and twelve others.  The book will also tell the story of her recovery process and will trace Mark Kelly’s career from decorated Desert Storm combat pilot to his recent mission as the commander of Space Shuttle Endeavour’s final flight.”

Attorney Robert B. Barnett negotiated the deal with executive VP Susan Moldow and editor-in-chief Nan Graham. Author Jeffrey Zaslow will help the couple write the book.