Amanda Knox's ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, gets a book deal

Raffaele Sollecito waits in Perugia's Court of Appeal Oct. 3, 2011, in Perugia, Italy, before hearing that he won his appeal against his murder conviction.

/ Getty

(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - Amanda Knox's former boyfriend has a book deal of his own.

Raffaele Sollecito will be the first to tell about the Italian murder case that made them famous worldwide. He has a deal with Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books for a book scheduled to come out this fall. Knox's memoir is due next year.

"Presumed Guilty: My Journey to Hell and Back with Amanda Knox" would cover his relationship with the U.S. exchange student, their arrests and imprisonment in Italy over the death of Knox's roommate and their eventual release last fall after the convictions were overturned, the publisher announced Thursday.

"Sollecito was an unwilling participant in a case that riveted the world. The Italian media convicted the young couple before any evidence had even been heard," according to Gallery. "Over and over, Sollecito came under pressure to change his testimony and get himself off the hook, but he refused to betray Amanda and he refused to lie.

"In 'Presumed Guilty,' Sollecito will finally tell his side of the story - from his first meeting with Amanda Knox, to his arrest, prison time, subsequent release, and current relationship with the woman he stood by through the worst ordeal of both their lives."

Financial terms weren't disclosed. Last month, Knox agreed to terms with HarperCollins on a deal worth $4 million. While numerous publishers bid on the Knox book, the deal for the 27-year-old Sollecito's memoir was reached after Gallery made a "pre-emptive" offer to literary agent Sharlene Martin.

Gallery spokeswoman Jennifer Robinson said Sollecito would collaborate on the book with Andrew Gumbel, an award-winning British journalist and author whose books include "Steal This Vote" and the upcoming "Oklahoma City," about the 1995 bombing.

Knox and Sollecito were originally found guilty for the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher, a 21-year-old British student who shared an apartment with Knox in the university town of Perugia. They were sentenced to 26 years and 25 years in prison, respectively. TV cameras showed footage of Knox and Sollecito hugging and kissing outside the crime scene in 2007 as police inspected the house.

But an appeals court ruled in October 2011 that the evidence didn't hold up. Knox returned home to the U.S.; Sollecito lives in Italy.

Simon & Schuster is owned by CBS Corp.

[70rock]

Outstanding. I long to hear from both Amanda and Raffaele, their ordeal was so...? I can't find a decent word, (you know) but so what's wrong in the world today! May the Lord Our GOD abundantly bless them in all their endeavors.

[mariemoreno12]

I CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL THE BOOK COME OUT. I WILL BUY IT. IV'E BEEN FOLLOWING THIS STORY SINCE IT HAPPENED. AND ALWAYS SUPPORTED BOTH OF THEM AND WAS WONDERING WHEN HIS SIDE OF THE STORY WAS GOING TO COME OUT.

[wolfmagic2012]

Who cares. Don't want to hear any more about this woman - won't read the book, and could care less.

[joancj]

Then why are you reading this article?

[joancj]

Then why are you reading this article?

[involved_indi]

somebody's gonna pay him to read one???

[AnnieDanny]

I'm glad to hear it. Like the article said, the news media went nuts with this one. And not just in Italy, apparently: also in the UK. This wrong definitely needs to be corrected, in my opinion. There are lots of people who still hate Sollecito and Knox, and maybe always will. But the evidence was not there, and never was. I'm amazed that some people in the Italian justice system still have their jobs.

[joancj]

@AnnieDanny - I so agree!!! These two people have been through hell and deserve compensation for their trauma. I hope his book is very successful and I will certainly buy it. I'm glad Raffaele is in the US and wish he would stay here as I fear for his safety as long as Mignini retains his power, which he seems to be doing despite glaring evidence that he, Stefanano and the Perugian police are totally corrupt and should be behind bars.