HarperCollins: Charles M. Schulz Biography Set for Oct. 16 Release

By: E&P Staff The publication date for the long-awaited biography of "Peanuts" creator Charles M. Schulz (1922-2000) has been set for Oct. 16, according to publisher HarperCollins.

David Michaelis worked for approximately six years on "Schulz and Peanuts," a warts-and-all book that runs 600-plus pages.

Michaelis conducted more than 200 interviews, and was given unrestricted access to the Schulz studio and personal archives by the cartoonist's widow and children.

In addition, United Media -- the company that still syndicates "Peanuts" reruns and handles "Peanuts" licensing -- allowed Michaelis to see papers that document the rise of Schulz's creation into a business HarperCollins says earns $1.2 billion a year.

Also in October, PBS is scheduled to air a documentary of the cartoonist's life titled "Good Ol' Charles Schulz." The program will include an interview with Michaelis, whose other books include "N.C. Wyeth: A Biography."

The 1950-launched "Peanuts" was appearing in about 2,600 newspapers at the time of Schulz's death.