Dolly Parton’s Unreleased Memoir Reportedly Sells for $13 Million After Fierce Bidding War
Dolly Parton may have left fans one more personal gift: a memoir that remained under wraps until after her reported death in August. The unpublished book has reportedly attracted intense interest from publishers, with Grand Central Publishing securing the rights in a deal valued at $13 million.
Sources told Page Six Hollywood on October 29, 2026, that the sale followed what they described as a “wild, heated bidding war.” Folio, the literary agency that represented Parton’s 2023 book, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, reportedly handled the rights to the new memoir.
For now, the details surrounding the book remain a mystery. It is not known when Parton wrote it, which aspects of her life it explores, or when it will reach readers. Her estate has not yet publicly commented on the reported deal.
The news has added another intriguing dimension to Parton’s enduring legacy, as fans await the chance to discover what the country music icon chose to share in a book that was not previously known to the public.
Dolly Parton Planned Projects for Decades Beyond Her Lifetime
The reported memoir is just one part of a much broader collection of projects Parton prepared before her death. Her longtime manager, Danny Nozell, previously revealed that the singer had worked with her handpicked team for several years to establish a long-term plan for continuing her creative and business ventures.
“Dolly worked up until the day she died. She loved seeing her dreams come to life, and loved knowing her work brought people joy,” Nozell said.
He explained that Parton had always been a planner and had taken steps to ensure that her work could continue reaching audiences for years to come.
“Ever the planner, Dolly worked with the team that she handpicked, for the past several years to build a project roadmap that will guide us for decades to come,” he added.
Nozell also stressed that the projects left behind were at different stages of development. He wanted fans to understand that future releases would reflect plans Parton had personally helped shape.
“Many projects were in various stages of development, and we want to be transparent with her fans about this fact,” he said.
He added that fans could have confidence in unreleased music, books, products, experiences and campaigns released through Parton’s official channels, knowing that she had put her personal stamp on them.
Nashville Attractions and Broadway Plans Move Forward
Several of Parton’s posthumous ventures have already begun reaching the public. Her Nashville hotel and museum recently opened, while her coffee line is available to purchase online.
The singer is also set to feature in upcoming holiday entertainment through Dolly On The Holly, planned for this winter. Around the same time, previews are expected to begin for Dolly: A True Original Musical on Broadway.
Her plans extend into lifestyle and consumer products, too. A collaboration with jewelry brand Kendra Scott, a line of dog treats, and bedding and home décor collections are all scheduled to arrive in 2027.
Together, these ventures demonstrate the range of projects Parton developed beyond her music, spanning entertainment, hospitality and products inspired by her personal brand.
More Film and Television Projects Are in the Pipeline
Parton’s planned legacy also includes several screen productions. A Parton-themed avatar show is in development, alongside a documentary about her Broadway musical, a biopic, a docuseries and a scripted series.
An animated series based on Billy the Kid is also among the projects being developed.
With so many plans already in motion, the reported $13 million memoir deal adds another major project to the slate of work associated with Parton’s legacy.
The book’s contents and release date have yet to be disclosed, leaving fans with plenty of unanswered questions. For now, the reported bidding war offers a glimpse of the continued interest in Parton’s unpublished work—and the possibility that her own words may provide another perspective on a remarkable life and career.