An unlikely author has arisen in actor Kevin Costner, who recently signed a book deal with Simon & Schuster imprint Atria Books. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal is for a series of books called “Explorers Guild.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first book, “The Explorers Guild, Volume One: Passage to Shambhala,” arrives in 2014. The plot centers around members of the Explorers Guild, “a clandestine group of adventurers,” embarking on an expedition to locate the Shambhala, a mythic Buddist city.

One release for the book said this about the plot:

“Each member is driven toward the City for a different reason: one believes that finding it will save his brother’s life; another hopes that it will reveal a path to spiritual enlightenment. Some believe the power of the city can be used to restore peace, while others are certain that Shambhala is responsible for bringing mankind to the brink of apocalypse.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Costner will collaborate on the series with writer Jon Baird and illustrator Rick Ross. Rob Weisbach Creative Management’s Rob Weisbach and Fonda Snyder led negotiations with Atria publisher and executive vp Judith Curr.

Costner had this to say about the series:

“A heroic quest with the vivid wildness of Jules Verne, and steeped in world history but with mystical overtones, I believe that The Explorers Guild series will engage readers of all ages in a multi-generational experience that will lend itself to a host of entertainment platforms. As a storyteller and filmmaker, I am intrigued by the inherent resourcefulness, wit, and at times violent nature these characters embody, and I am truly excited to partner with Judith Curr and her team at Atria to bring this epic tale to readers around the world.”