Ready to try her hand at writing, Hilary Duff has announced her plans to pen a series of young adult novels for Simon & Schuster.

The recently engaged actress is kicking off the deal with an upcoming book titled “Elixir,” which is due to hit bookstore shelves on October 12th.

According to press reports, Miss Duff’s first writing effort “will feature the adventures of a globe-trotting photojournalist named Clea Raymond.”

Also in the works is another book aiming to help children cope with the difficult subject of parental divorce, with a release date slated for 2012.