Roger Ebert wants to keep book under wraps

CHICAGO, May 15 (UPI) -- Renowned U.S. film critic Roger Ebert has confirmed he's writing a book, but has refused to disclose the subject matter.

The Chicago Sun-Times columnist and former co-host of "Siskel and Ebert at the Movies" told his newspaper employer that he's not talking about his latest literary project.

"Yep, I'm writing the book, but I'm not talking about it," he told the Sun-Times. "I didn't make that announcement. I subscribe to the old theatrical maxim: Don't leave it in rehearsal."

Grand Central Publishing executive editor Mitch Hoffman announced Ebert's book Friday and said it had a tentative release date of fall 2011.

The Sun-Times said the book will be memoir and include details of Ebert's battle with thyroid cancer and his relationship with his former TV partner and Chicago Tribune rival, Gene Siskel, who died in 1999.