Pippa Middleton lands £400k book deal

Pippa Middleton has reportedly landed a £400,000 deal to write a book about throwing the perfect party.

The professional party planner, who works for London-based events company Table Talk, is said to have prompted a bidding war between publishers such as HarperCollins and Random House subsidiary Cornerstone before Penguin secured the rights.

Middleton, the younger sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, finalised the deal last week with the help of literary agent David Godwin. She will not use a ghost writer, instead spending several hours a day working on the project, The Mail On Sunday reports.

"Pippa says it's a nerve-racking prospect but she is looking forward to the challenge of writing her first book," a friend said. "She had to deliver a synopsis that was sent to a number of publishers under a strict confidentiality agreement.

"There were some serious offers, but Penguin stumped up the most cash. It will be about entertaining and how to throw the perfect party. It's not just about being the perfect hostess - it will also include recipes and information about how to host different types of events.

"Pippa has been sketching out the chapters and has decided to start each one with an amusing anecdote."

Middleton has previous writing experience, editing The Party Times newsletter on her parents' Party Pieces website.

The report also claims that she doesn't want to appear to be cashing in on her royal connections and so spoke to St James's Palace before signing the book deal. Kate apparently thinks it's a "brilliant idea".

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