Is there nothing that Dolly Parton can’t do? The country music icon that gave us “Jolene”, the Buffy TV series, and funding for crucial COVID vaccine research, has now announced that she’s pursuing a career as a novelist, with her debut novel coming in 2022.

Co-authored with the bestselling US fiction writer James Patterson, the upcoming book — titled Run, Rose, Run — treads some familiar ground for Parton, revolving around a young singer-songwriter (the titular Rose) who moves to Nashville, Tennessee. Rose is said to be “on the rise and on the run” in the thriller, “and determined to do whatever it takes to survive”.

According to Dolly Parton’s announcement on social media, Run, Rose, Run combines her “love of storytelling and books” (previously, she’s penned several memoirs). 

She’ll also accompany her fictional debut with a new record of the same name, comprising 12 original songs. Apparently, these songs “were written based on the characters and situations in the book”, while their lyrics will feature in the novel itself.

“It’s been an honour – and a hell of a lot of fun – to work with the inimitable Dolly Parton, whom I’ve long admired for her music, her storytelling, and her enormous generosity,” adds Patterson in a statement. 

“The mind-blowing thing about this project is that reading the novel is enhanced by listening to the album and vice versa. It’s a really unique experience that I know readers (and listeners) will love.”

Earlier this year, a Tennessee lawmaker proposed that a statue of Dolly Parton should be erected in her home state’s Capitol grounds, in recognition of her music and philanthropy. However, she’s since turned down the offer (just like she turned down RuPaul’s Drag Race) saying: “Given all that is going on in the world, I don’t think putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time.”

Her debut novel, Run, Rose, Run, is set to be published on March 7, 2022.