'It's delayed, not canceled,' rep for book's publisher says; CEO/president insists it will be a memoir, not a parenting guide.

On the heels of the announcement that Britney Spears' 16-year-old sister, Jamie Lynn, is pregnant with her first child comes word that the book due for release in the spring from the girls' mom, Lynne Spears, has been delayed.

On Thursday, publisher Thomas Nelson — which puts out inspirational literature and Bibles — issued a statement on its Web site insisting that the book, which is to be released under the title "Pop Culture Mom: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World," will not be a parenting guide, as had previously been reported, but rather a memoir.

"Lynne's memoir will provide a window into the real-life world of fame and worldly success, including the toll it extracts from some who aspire to it," Michael S. Hyatt, the president and CEO of the publisher, said in the statement. "It will provide a much-needed corrective to a world obsessed with the wrong priorities."

Hyatt added, "We believe in redemption. Therefore, we are standing with Lynne and her family during this difficult time. Though the book has been delayed, we believe God is at work. The story is still being written, and we are confident in His ability to turn ashes into beauty."

According to People magazine, "Pop Culture Mom" is on indefinite hold. A spokesperson, who was not named, told the mag that "The book is delayed indefinitely. It's delayed, not canceled." The book, which Publishers Weekly had previously described as "Lynne Spears' personal story of raising high-profile children while coming from a low-profile Louisiana community," was actually put on hold last week, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson had declined to say whether the focus of the book would change in light of Jamie Lynn's pregnancy announcement, or if the decision was a result of the news about the latest scandal to rock the family.

Lindsey Nobles, a spokeswoman for Thomas Nelson, elaborated on the indefinite hiatus to The Associated Press but did not specify whether the delay was due to Jamie Lynn's pregnancy. "I can tell you that we are standing behind Lynne and supporting her decision to be with her family at this time," she reportedly said.

In October, Spears and Thomas Nelson announced the deal for the book, which was slated to come out on Mother's Day. At the time, a publishing rep who was not named told Us Weekly that it would be a parenting book "that's going to have faith elements to it." A manuscript was expected by this month.

In a 1999 interview with MTV News, Jamie Lynn talked about her nascent performing career, leading John Norris to ask Lynne if she would like to see her younger daughter follow in Britney's footsteps.

"Oh yeah," Lynne replied. "That would be fun. I've enjoyed every minute of it."

[This story was originally published at 12:01 pm E.T. on 12.19.2007]