Vertical Thrills

The final revision of Ira Levin’s first novel in 14 years--his last was “The Boys From Brazil”--is about to be delivered to Bantam Books for March publication, his agent tells us. But movie rights remain available to “Sliver,” described as an erotic thriller set in one of those tall, skinny skyscraper apartment houses shoehorned into cramped Manhattan in the ‘70s.

(Levin took a sabbatical from novels to write plays, including the hit “Deathtrap.”)

“We’re not actively looking for a film deal,” explains agent Phyllis Westburg of Harold Ober Associates in New York--meaning they’ll let the reviews and sales figures hit before sifting through Hollywood offers.

Bantam picked up hardback and softcover rights to “Sliver” for $1.025 million, acquiring reprint rights to Levin’s “Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Boys from Brazil,” “This Perfect Day” and “The Stepford Wives” in the package.