Hilary Duff has signed a world rights deal with Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers to publish her first-ever young adult fiction series, it was announced today. The first novel in the multiple-book series, entitled Elixir, publishes in hardcover in October 2010. Also part of the deal are world rights for a nonfiction title to be published in spring 2012 concerning the challenges faced by children of divorce.

Duff released a statement within the announcement of the deal, but it should be noted that multiple efforts by my younger brother to reach Duff have been unsuccessful for years. At least now we know what she was up to.