A fierce new book deal

The world’s favorite smizing*, H2T** model is writing teen books!

Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks—host of America’s Next Top Model and The Tyra Banks Show—has signed a three book deal with Delacorte. The series is called Modelland, and according to Publisher’s Marketplace it’s about  “a teenage girl who finds herself competing for a way of life that’s both hotly desired and woefully out of reach at an academy for Intoxibellas, the most exceptional models known to humankind.”

Turns out this isn’t a huge leap for Tyra, as she’s an avid reader. On her blog, she posted: “Modelland has always been a part of my mind and my heart.  As you might know, I step into a bookstore and I shake (really!) because I love books so much.”

Wendy Loggia, who worked on Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Lauren Kate’s Fallen, will edit.

Variety has more on Tyra’s decision to write fiction (she’s already the author of self-help book Tyra’s Beauty Inside & Out):

“I have this notebook I write everything in and started working on titles and breaking down characters. And I kept going and going. I knew I didn’t want it to be some autobiography; I wanted to create a fantastical place.”

Banks said the books shouldn’t be considered “chick lit” but will contain messages of empowerment within the fantasy storyline. “I wanted to make the project a little more what my brand is,” she said. “And give (readers) an experience that they haven’t seen when it comes to this modeling world.”

Banks said she sees “Modelland” as eventually turning into a feature franchise and has already received interest from studios. “I’m not writing the books as scripts,” she said. “I’m writing true literature, which can then be adapted into film by Bankable.”

Tyra fans: will you check out Modelland? Does Tyra have what it takes to be. . . America’s Next Top Author? (Sorry. Couldn’t help it!)

*”smize” = smiling with your eyes, in Tyraspeak
**”H2T” = head-to-toe modeling