Simon & Schuster has acquired the first book by Michael Schur, creator of the hit TV series “The Good Place” and co-creator of hits “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Parks & Recreation.” The book, tentatively called How to Be Good: A Definitive Answer for Exactly What to Do, In Every Possible Situation, will use humor and philosophy to determine how we should deal with the large and small ethical challenges we all face every day. Schur will take readers on a journey through the 2500-year discussion of ethics, explaining and poking fun at these grand ideas, and sketching a roadmap for how we ought to act. The project will include contributions from Professor Todd May of Clemson University, who served as an advisor on “The Good Place.” Simon & Schuster plans to publish How to Be Good in the fall of 2021. Eamon Dolan, Vice President and Executive Editor at Simon & Schuster, acquired World English and audio rights from Richard Abate at 3 Arts.
“What drew us immediately to Mike’s book,” said Dolan, “is the same quality that has drawn millions to his work on television—its ability to be profound and funny at the same time.”
Schur added, “I’m thrilled to be working with Simon & Schuster on this project. I don’t know how to write a book, but Eamon assured me that wouldn’t be a problem.”
