Former US president writing novel

NEW YORK (AP) -- Neither Bill Clinton nor James Patterson has ever tried something like this before.

The former president and the best-selling novelist are collaborating on a thriller, 'The President is Missing', to come out June 2018 as an unusual joint release from rival publishers -- Alfred A. Knopf and Little, Brown and Co.

'The President is Missing' is the first work of fiction by Clinton, whose best-known book is the million-selling 'My Life'.

For Patterson, it's the chance to team up with a friend who knows as well as anyone about life in the White House.

"Working with President Clinton has been the highlight of my career, and having access to his firsthand experience has uniquely informed the writing of this novel," Patterson said in a statement.

In his statement, Clinton said: "Working on a book about a sitting president -- drawing on what I know about the job, life in the White House and the way Washington works -- has been a lot of fun. And working with Jim has been terrific. I've been a fan of his for a very long time."