Megachurch pastor and best-selling author Joel Osteen is to publish his next book with Free Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster (S&S). The agreement comes in the wake of Osteen's Your Best Life Now (Warner Faith, 2004), which has sold more than 3 million copies. The book is currently No. 3 on The New York Times Hardcover Advice Best-seller List (March 19, 2006, reporting date), and has spent 71 weeks on the list.

The New York Times reported yesterday that Osteen's contract allows him a smaller-than-normal advance for each book, but that he would receive 50% of the publisher's profit on sales. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, however S&S confirmed the agreement was for one book plus ancillary products, like journals and devotionals. Ancillary products for Your Best Life Now have sold more than 1 million units.

The deal gives S&S audio and U.K. rights. The book is tentatively scheduled for fall of 2007.