NEW YORK, April 19 (UPI) -- Tor Books says it has signed a three-book deal with U.S. fantasy author Terry Goodkind.
The first is to be a new Richard and Kahlan novel, and is due for release in early 2011.
Richard and Kahlan are the principle characters from Goodkind's previous New York Times best-selling "Sword of Truth" books, which were also published by Tor.
Goodkind is returning to Tor after writing several non-fantasy books for G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin Books.
"We are excited to publish Terry Goodkind again," Tom Doherty -- president and publisher of Tor Books -- said in a statement Monday. "Millions of people delight in the novels of Richard and Kahlan and eagerly await the continuation of their story."
Twenty-five million copies of Goodkind's 12-book series have been sold worldwide and have been translated into more than 20 languages, Tor said.
A television series adaptation of the novels -- called "Legend of the Seeker," produced by ABC Studios and broadcast via syndication -- first aired in 2008 and is now in its second season.
