Simon & Schuster to Publish Shonda Rhimes Memoir

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Mannie Holmes | Variety.com

Shonda Rhimes’ anticipated memoir “Year of Yes” is set to be published this fall, Simon Schuster VP and Editor-in-Chief Marysue Rucci announced on Tuesday.

The premise is simple and an interesting business strategy: In December 2013, the “Gray’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” creator, who was also a self-proclaimed introvert, was challenged to say “yes” to anything unexpected for an entire year. Rhimes’ book is a result of her transformative journey into agreement.

“Saying yes for an entire year turned out to be one of the most amazing decisions I have ever made,” said Rhimes. “It was also a little insane, a lot terrifying and sometimes wildly embarrassing. So this is not a story I ever planned to share with anyone. However, once Simon & Schuster asked me, I had no choice – what else could I say but yes?”

Rhimes is also executive producing the highly-successful “How to Get Away with Murder,” so “it’s mind-boggling that the mega-talented Shonda Rhimes, one of the most admired and accomplished women in Hollywood, would feel the need to challenge her status quo,” said Rucci.

“But by saying yes for a year, she truly transformed her life for the better in every way,” she said.

“Year of Yes” will arrive in November 2015. Rucci acquired World English rights from Jennifer Joel, partner at ICM Partners. Simultaneous with hardcover edition and eBook, Simon & Schuster Audio will publish an unabridged audiobook.