Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has landed a publishing deal to write his autobiography, which is said to include his own childhood recollections as well as details of his rise to rock stardom.

The as-yet-untitled tome is due out in 2002 from Crown Books, and according to "Entertainment Weekly," Simmons is receiving a six-figure advance in the deal.

In other Kiss news, a judge has dismissed all of the claims in a lawsuit filed by former Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent, a.k.a. Vincent Cusano, against his former bandmates.

Vincent, who played with the group from 1982 to 1984, had sued over royalties issues in July 1997, naming Paul Stanley (a.k.a. Stanley Eisen) and Gene Simmons (a.k.a. Gene Klein) as individuals in the suit, as well as assorted Kiss companies and Polygram Records, the band's label.

Vincent alleged he was owed at least $5.5 million, including monies for his work on the "Creatures Of The Night" and "Lick It Up" albums, and said that even though he co-wrote several songs, he did not receive a royalty rate commensurate with other bandmembers.

He also claimed he was dismissed from the group because he refused to sign an employment agreement; that the band had cut his $2000-a-week salary in half to force his hand; and that they made him "live in a hotel frequented by addicts and prostitutes" (see "Kiss Smacked With Ex-Guitarist Law Suit").

The judge, in addition to dismissing the claims, also found Vincent liable for roughly $80,000 in court costs.

And in other Kiss news, fans will have to wait awhile for the group's latest live effort, "Alive IV." The band has had to put the release on hold while it concentrates on its current farewell tour (see "Kiss Announces Farewell Tour"). The album was originally expected last week.