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GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING ACQUIRES STRONGER, AN INSPIRATIONAL MEMOIR BY BOSTON MARATHON BOMBINGS SURVIVOR JEFF BAUMAN

New York, NY—September 4, 2013

Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group, is pleased to announce the acquisition of a memoir, STRONGER, by Jeff Bauman, the Boston Marathon bombings survivor who lost his legs during the attack but went on to identify the terrorists behind it and is making an inspirational recovery. The memoir will be written with six time New York Times bestselling co-writer Bret Witter (Dewey, Until I Say Goodbye, Until Tuesday).

Jamie Raab, President and Publisher of Grand Central Publishing, acquired the North American rights from Anthony Mattero and Peter McGuigan of Foundry Literary + Media. STRONGER will be published in April 2014 to coincide with the first anniversary of the bombings.

Just prior to the first bomb going off at his feet, Bauman was surrounded by revelry at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon, waiting for his girlfriend to finish. Shortly after the bombs went off, he became the face of the attack when a photo of him in a wheelchair with blackened clothing and a smoke smeared face, and in some versions including his severely injured legs, was being shown by press outlets throughout the world.

When he woke up the next afternoon after two life-saving surgeries, Bauman remembered every detail. Rather than take stock of his altered life, Bauman – who turned out to be the only survivor with a clear view of the bomber -- struggled to communicate so he could identify the terrorists, helping set off one of the biggest manhunts in the country’s history.

In STRONGER, Bauman chronicles his experiences at and since the marathon. On writing the book, Bauman said, "The past months have often been difficult, but the support I've received from around the world, and especially from the people of Boston, has inspired me to set and achieve high goals. I hope sharing my story will inspire others in the same way, because together we are stronger."

Raab said of the acquisition, “Jeff Bauman gives new meaning to the term ‘Boston Strong.’ His story is deeply moving. But more than that, it is incredibly inspirational. I am honored to be publishing STRONGER, and know that Jeff’s story will strike a chord with Americans who believe that acts of cowardice and terror must be countered with strength and resilience.”

About Hachette Book Group:

Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading trade publisher based in New York and a division of Hachette Livre, the second-largest trade and educational publisher in the world. HBG publishes under the divisions of Little, Brown and Company, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Nashville, Orbit, and Hachette Digital.

For foreign rights queries, please contact Kirsten Neuhaus of Foundry Literary + Media, .

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