Just 16 years after his first

Michael Palin is to write a second novel – 16 years after his acclaimed debut.

He has signed a deal with publishers Weidenfeld and Nicolson to produce a follow up to his 1995 book Hemingway's Chair.

The former Python hasn’t yet thought of a title for the novel, but there’s no immediate rush as it is not due for publication until May 2011.

Kirsty Dunseath, publisher of Weidenfeld and Nicolson fiction, said: ‘Michael Palin is a fine and observant writer who has a terrific eye for unusual stories and a natural gift for characterisation. Publishing his novel will be a privilege.’

Palin has previously published a diary of his Python years as well as itles to accompany his TV travel series. He is also the author of a number of children’s stories, and the play The Weekend.

Palin said: ‘I’ve enjoyed writing my travel books enormously but I feel it is time to give the imagination a bit of exercise.’

Weidenfeld and Nicolson also publishes the second volume of Palin's diaries, Halfway To Hollywood, this September.

Published: 16 Jul 2009