THE North Yorkshire vicar who wrote the hugely successful Shadowmancer novel has signed a multi-book deal with publishers in the United States.

The Rev Graham Taylor, from Cloughton near Scarborough, has been snapped up by Penguin Young Readers Group in New York, as well as brokering a deal with Faber & Faber in the United Kingdom.

It means Rev Taylor, 43, will have a new book published every year in both countries.

Shadowmancer spent 15 weeks at number one on the paperback best seller list in Britain and remains on the list today.

The swashbuckling adventure of good versus evil has been translated into nearly 20 languages.

In the US, the book is poised to sell an unprecedented number of hardcover copies before it goes on sale on April 27.

Recently, Hollywood bosses snapped up the chance to turn the novel into a £2.5 million blockbuster smash.

Fortitude Films will be behind the project, with Mel Gibson touted as director.

It is set to be filmed in Whitby, Ravenscar and Robin Hood's Bay. Actors Sean Bean and Donald Sutherland have also been linked with the film.

Rev Taylor's second book, Wormwood, will go on sale in the UK this summer.

He said: "Over the last year, I have been made so welcome by Faber and Penguin that an offer to work with them for further books couldn't be turned down.

"I have a very close working relationship with the editorial staff that has enhanced my confidence as a writer.

"I look forward to being with them in ten books time and beyond."

Doug Whiteman, executive vice-president of the Penguin Group, said he was "thrilled" to be working with the writer.

He said: "We are sure with Graham that we have an author with a unique and fertile imagination, who is also a delight to work with."

Updated: 09:24 Saturday, April 17, 2004