Singer-songwriter Steve Earle has deal for 2 books

(AP) Steve Earle likes the literary life.

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, and published author, has a two-book deal with Twelve, the publisher announced Friday. Earle will write a memoir, scheduled for 2014, and a novel set in the 19th century about an escaped slave. A previous Earle novel, "I'll Never Get Out Here Alive," came out last year.

According to Twelve, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Earle's memoir will tell of his friendship with Townes Van Zandt, his drug problems and the making of the 1995 album "Train a Comin.'"