Michael Crichton Changes Publishers

NEW YORK (AP) â€” Michael Crichton has agreed to a two-book deal with HarperCollins, ending a 30-year affiliation with Alfred A. Knopf. <br><br>Although terms were not disclosed, the contract is almost

Wednesday, February 14th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) â€” Michael Crichton has agreed to a two-book deal with HarperCollins, ending a 30-year affiliation with Alfred A. Knopf.

Although terms were not disclosed, the contract is almost certainly worth seven figures.

``Michael does believe in change,'' his agent, Lynn Nesbit, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. ``His relationship with Knopf was comfortable, but perhaps too comfortable, and he needed a shot of energy.''

At his new publishing house, Crichton will be reunited with Jane Friedman, a publicist and executive at Knopf for much of his time there and now president and chief executive officer of HarperCollins.

``The change is particularly meaningful to me because it gives me the opportunity once again to work with Jane Friedman, a friend and colleague,'' Crichton said in a statement.

Crichton, author of such blockbusters as ``Jurassic Park'' and ``The Andromeda Strain,'' is expected to publish his first book for Harper in 2002.