An ongoing auction to secure the joint rights for memoirs by former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle has eclipsed $60 million, according to a new report.
The Financial Times reports the auction between publishing giants Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan will easily set a record as the highest-priced presidential book deal in U.S. history.
Obama has written three books and they were all published by Penguin Random House. That publisher, according to the Times, is the highest bidder thus far.
The Times notes that former President George W. Bush made about $10 million on his memoir, while former President Bill Clinton netted $15 million for his book.
Last September, it was reported that the Obamas could make as much as $45 million in advances for their books.
Earlier this month, the Obamas announced they had hired an agency for speaking engagements and lawyers for their book deals.
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