Nearly 20 years since his debut novel, Nick Cave will put pen to paper for a second work of fiction, "The Death of Bunny Munro." Canongate has acquired world rights for the book, due in September 2009.

The book traces the fortunes of one man and his son on a road trip around the south coast of England following the suicide of his wife.

"Nick is one of the great forces in contemporary culture -- not just an outstanding musician and singer, but also a superb writer, be it of lyrics, screenplays, music scores or novels," says Canongate publisher/managing director Jamie Byng. "This novel is going to shock and amaze a lot of people."

Canongate is planning a multimedia launch, with an audio book narrated by Cave and an e-book launching simultaneously. A signed and numbered limited edition will also be available, as will a special e-book version combining Cave's narration with an original "soundscape."

Cave's previous foray into fiction was 1989's "And the Ass Saw the Angel," which is available in two special editions via Black Spring Press.

In other Cave news, the artist is working with longtime collaborator John Hillcoat on the soundtrack for a forthcoming film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," which is due out in November.