Hachette Book Group has signed William P. Young, author of the runaway best-seller, The Shack, to write a new novel. Company officials would not disclose the title of the book or its release date.

In 2008, Hachette began to distribute The Shack, published by Windblown Media, becoming an international phenomenon with more than 15 million copies in print—10 million in the United States. The book spent 50 weeks at No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list and has been translated into 41 languages.

"We have had quite the adventure this last couple of years, and I look forward with anticipation to what the future holds," Young said. "The folks at Hachette are creative and passionate about the process, and I am grateful for the integrity and support I have found at every level of this company."

Rolf Zettersten, senior vice president of Hachette's Nashville division, added: "Just as he did with The Shack, Paul's new work is a compelling story that touches deeply felt emotions and needs, and questions of the heart."

Young recently settled out of court his contract dispute regarding The Shack. Court documents show that a jury trial was scheduled for late September in Ventura, Calif., but on Aug. 12 the case was dismissed without prejudice.

Young filed suit in November 2009 against Brad Cummings and Wayne Jacobsen, wh Windblown Media countersued for $5 million in federal court and made a claim to the authorship of the book, collaborated with Young in writing the novel and founded Windblown Media to publish it in 2007 after it was rejected by multiple publishers.

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