Gillian Anderson Kicks Off New Sci-Fi Imprint With Debut Novel

Gillian Anderson is putting an "X" next to author. 

The former X-Files star has signed with Simon & Schuster to write the EarthEnd Saga series. A Vision of Fire, the first volume, will kick off the publisher's new Simon451 imprint, which will be a digital-first line focused on science fiction. (And yes, the name is intended as an homage to Ray Bradbury's seminal Fahrenheit 451).

Jeff Rovin, who has penned Tom Clancy's Op-Center novels, will co-write. 

"This is a very exciting endeavor, and I'm thrilled that Simon & Schuster has taken us under their wing," said Anderson in a statement announcing the deal. "Together, we will make the most of what I hope will be a compelling series of adventures."

Plot details and a release date were not revealed by S&S when announcing the acquisition. More details are promised at New York Comic Con in October. 

The publisher also announced The Undying, a Paris-set dystopian fantasy penned by Ethan Reid, as another of Simon451's launch titles.

"Within the science-fiction and fantasy genre, e-books and online communities are becoming the primary means of reading and discovery," said Sarah Knight, the senior editor who is leading Simon451. "We aim to give those readers what they want, when and how they want it."

Anderson and Rovin are represented by Doug Grad at the Doug Grad Literary Agency.