Julian Assange Book Deal: Assange to Keep WikiLeaks Afloat With New Book | ThirdAge: "Julian Assange, the controversial head of secret-document release website WikiLeaks, has signed a book deal worth more than $1 million to pay his organization's legal bills.

Assange told The Sunday Times in London that the book would be an autobiography. He reportedly signed a deal with Alfred A. Knopf for $800,000 and with Canongate books for $500,000. Knopf is an imprint of Random House publications based in the U.S.

Assange says he has been under house arrest in an English mansion waiting to attend hearings on allegations of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion until Jan. 11. He told the British paper due to his circumstances he needs to write the book to keep his website afloat."