Rice to meet with publishers about memoirs

NEW YORK -- Executives at two publishing houses say they plan to meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice this month to discuss book projects, including a memoir of her service in the Bush administration.

Rice on Friday confirmed to The Associated Press in Washington that she is pursuing book proposals.

The publishers and a senior aide to Rice say potential book deals would also include a memoir about Rice's family and a multimedia project about international affairs for preteens and adolescents. All asked not to be identified, saying that talks were still in preliminary stages.

Although the 54-year-old Rice has been criticized for her loyalty to an unpopular president, publishers believe there is strong interest in her story.