Evanovich switches publishers, signs 4-book deal

NEW YORK -- Here's a publishing plot twist: One of the book world's top moneymakers, Janet Evanovich, has switched literary homes.

The author of the multimillion-selling "Stephanie Plum" series and other popular mystery novels has left her longtime publisher, St. Martin's Press, and joined the Random House Publishing Group.

Random House announced Monday that Evanovich has agreed to write four new novels, including two Stephanie Plum releases. She will publish through the Random House imprint Ballantine Bantam Dell.

"I started my career as a Bantam author, and I'm very excited to be returning," Evanovich, 67, said in a statement. "Their sales, distribution, and marketing make them the perfect partner for me and my work. Load up the U-Haul; break out the pizza and the beer -- it's moving day."

St. Martin's publisher Matthew Shear said in a statement: "We've had a good relationship and I truly am sorry that we're unable to come to terms. But it's a negotiation like anything else and it didn't work. And I hope it works well for her elsewhere."

Financial terms were not disclosed, although Evanovich's book deal is likely worth tens of millions of dollars.

Evanovich's books have sold more than 75 million copies worldwide.