CHICAGO, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Sen.-elect Barack Obama, D-Ill., is set to sign a three-book deal for a reported $1.9 million advance from Crown Publishers.
Obama's office announced the deal Friday, but it is contingent on the approval of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, a panel that reviews book contracts, reported the Chicago Sun-Times Saturday.
The senate panel monitors conflict-of-interest and other rules governing the conduct of senators and their staff however, no Senate regulations prevent Obama from signing a book contract before he is sworn into office Jan. 4, the Sun-Times said.
Obama will be paid an $850,000 for a book due to be published in 2006 "offering a window into the political and spiritual convictions that propelled" Obama's Senate win. He is to receive another $850,000 for a second book under discussion.
He is also to receive a $200,000 advance -- that will be donated to charity -- for an illustrated picture book for children written by Obama, his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, 6-year-old Malia and 3-year-old Sasha. It will be published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
