Game Change authors get $5.3 million for sequel

John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, authors of the surprise bestseller Game Change, about the 2008 presidential campaign, have snagged an estimated $5.3 million advance from Penguin for the sequel, publishing sources say.

The book will be about the 2012 campaign.

Ann Godoff, the head of the Penguin Press imprint, beat out the Crown imprint of Random House as well as Harper Collins, the publisher of Game Change. Harper Collins is owned by News Corp., which also owns the NY Post.

Crown’s Maya Mazjee was believed to be the next highest bidder, offering under $3.5 million.

The deal was brokered by Scott Moyers at the Wylie Agency.

Penguin officials could not be reached for comment.