ALEX Salmond is believed to be in talks with Rupert Murdoch's News UK for the serialisation rights to his new book about the referendum campaign, in which he will argue that the prospect of Scottish independence is "very much alive".
The Dream Shall Never Die: 100 Days that Changed Scotland Forever, is due to be published on March 19 and has been billed as "inside story of the campaign that rocked the United Kingdom to its foundations".
The Herald understands that discussions over a lucrative deal, which would see extracts published in The Sun newspaper, have taken place. A source at publisher William Collins said that the book would be serialised, but refused to say where.
A source close to the MSP, who is bidding to return to Westminster in May, said that the diary was likely to be "very newsworthy" with a publication date weeks before the General Election.
They added: "My understanding is he's always kept good records. If he ever did decide to write a wider autobiography, there would be a lot of stuff to draw on.
"It's going to be chronological, a day-by-day account. It will be well read and well written, he's a good writer and has a good turn of phrase. I'm sure it will be very newsworthy, as most things Mr Salmond do are."
The relationship between the MSP and Mr Murdoch has previously been described as a "bromance", with the former being described as "clearly most brilliant politician in UK" by the media mogul.
The Australian toyed with the idea of having the Scottish Sun back the Yes campaign in the days before the vote, embarking on a tour of Scotland to gauge public opinion. The title eventually adopted a neutral stance.
The book is written with Mr Salmond's "trademark wit and charm", according to a synopsis published by online retailer Amazon.
It promises to take the reader to "the heart of the Yes campaign, revealing what was said and done behind the scenes as the referendum reached its dramatic climax". Mr Salmond will also discuss the 'national question' in the future of British politics, arguing that the referendum was not the end of a process, but the beginning of one.
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