New York, NY(RushPRnews)11/25/08– MIDNIGHT, is the new novel by New York Times bestselling author and hip-hop pioneer Sister Souljah. MIDNIGHT is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to Sister Souljah’s enormously successful debut, The Coldest Winter Ever. Originally published by Atria Books in 1999 and now widely considered the book that created the urban fiction genre, The Coldest Winter Ever is currently in its 20th printing and has over one million copies in print. In announcing the acquisition of MIDNIGHT, Judith Curr, Executive Vice President and Publisher said: “The Coldest Winter Ever was a phenomenon and we look forward to watching MIDNIGHT catch on in the same way,”

MIDNIGHT was acquired and edited by Souljah’s long time editor, Emily Bestler, Vice President and Executive Editorial Director of Atria Books. “Since the publication of The Coldest Winter Ever, readers across the country have had only one question, ‘When is the next one coming?’ We’re thrilled to say now, that it’s here,” says Emily Bestler.

Atria Books launched MIDNIGHT on November 4th 2008 with a major national publicity tour and a multi-media promotional campaign. MIDNIGHT hit #7 on the New York Times bestsellers list after its first week on-sale.

Sister Souljah is loved and cherished by readers around the world. Her work is devoured and highly regarded in the streets, schools, universities, hoods and even prisons nationwide. Youth in Brickston, Kingston, Soweto, Tokyo, and Cairo alike all read her stories and find inspiration in her message. Sister Souljah is an activist, which she defines simply as “a problem solver.” Her powerful thoughts and books, creative solutions and masterful oratory have made her the most requested speaker on the lecture circuit.

So much more than talk, Souljah is the architect of the African Youth Survival Camp, designer of cultural curriculum for students aged 10 through 18, and was the Executive Director of Daddy’s House Social Programs Inc. of Bad Boy Entertainment for more than twelve years. Souljah is the originator of the educational and cultural summer sleep away camps for homeless and urban youth. She created, financed and implemented the blueprint which inspired celebrities like LL Cool J, Mariah Carey, Sean Combs, Lauryn Hill and even Tyra Banks to start their own.

Atria Books is an imprint of Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation. Simon & Schuster is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Online, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonsays.com

For information please call Christine Saunders, Assistant Director of Publicity, at 212-698-1129.