Philip Roth biography signed up by WW Norton

NEW YORK (AP) — A biography of author Philip Roth written with his cooperation has been acquired by publisher W.W. Norton & Co.

The book is tentatively titled "Philip Roth: The Biography."

The publisher said Thursday the book will be the "definitive" account of the celebrated author of "Portnoy's Complaint," ''American Pastoral" and many other novels.

Roth's bio will be written by Blake Bailey, the award-winning biographer of John Cheever. No release date has been set. Bailey already has a memoir planned for 2014.

Norton says Bailey will have "unrestricted access" to Roth's papers and unpublished works and will conduct "extensive interviews" with him.

Roth turns 80 next year. He has written an autobiography called "The Facts" and a book about his father called "Patrimony."