Work journals created by Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain have been sold to a New York publishing house for a book this fall that promises a glimpse into the mind of the famously private avatar of grunge music.

James Barber, manager for Cobain’s widow, Courtney Love, said the financial terms of the deal with Riverhead Books, a division of Penguin Putnam, could not be disclosed. But Barber de-scribed the contents of the journals as “really cool stuff.”

The deal between Cobain’s estate, which is controlled by Love, and the publisher, Penguin Putnam, was signed Monday, Barber said.

A bitter legal battle between Love and the surviving members of Nirvana over the rights to Cobain’s unreleased songs is still under way and has led to high emotions among Nirvana fans who worry that Cobain’s legacy is being exploited.

By late Monday afternoon, some fans already were posting messages on the Web decrying the book deal, which they perceive as yet another attempt to use Cobain’s remaining work for profit.

However, Barber said the Cobain estate has a duty to make the journals public. “He’s not here and (the estate’s) responsibility is to promote his creativity and his legacy.”

Barber said the journals include lists of Cobain’s favorite records, letters from when he was trying to get a record deal, drawings of stage arrangements and letters to fans. Other reports say the journals include references to Cobain’s heroin addiction and depression.