Perry
After turning heads at the box office with his hit "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," Tyler Perry has moved on to books.
The playwright, filmmaker and now author nabbed a nearly $2 million advance in a 10-publisher bidding war over his first book, "Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life."
Book will be published by Riverhead Books in 2006.
"Diary," released by Lions Gate, recently made waves when the $5 million film grossed $22 million over its Feb. 25 opening weekend. It has so far grossed $50 million.
In "Don't Make a Black Woman," Perry shares observations, advice and beliefs in the voice of Madea Simmons, the irreverent, gun-toting grandmother at the heart of many Perry productions, including "Diary."
Riverhead hopes to tap into Perry's devout following of black women, who have made him a household name in black church communities around the country. Revenues for Perry's performances and merchandise have totaled $80 million.
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