Kate Bush lyrics to be published by Faber in new book How To Be Invisible

Author David Mitchell, who has called the singer his 'hero', will write an introduction to the book

Kate Bush has announced that she is set to publish her first book: a collection of her lyrics from songs released over the past 40 years.

The book, titled How To Be Invisible: Selected Lyrics, will be published by Faber on 6 December this year, with an introduction by the author David Mitchell, who previously wrote three spoken-word sections for Bush's 2014 Before The Dawn performances.

Mitchell said: "For millions around the world Kate is way more than another singer-songwriter: she is a creator of musical companions that travel with you through life."

He added: "One paradox about her is that while her lyrics are avowedly idiosyncratic, those same lyrics evoke emotions and sensations that feel universal."

Bush, who is famously publicity-shy, recently released a short tribute to her former dance tutor Lindsay Kemp, who died suddenly in August, aged 80, after a day rehearsing with his students for the documentary Lindsay Kemp's Last Dance.

"The world has lost a truly original and great artist of the stage," Bush wrote. "To call him a mime artist is like calling Mozart a pianist."

In April this year it was revealed that she would contribute to a new monument to the Bronte sisters on the Yorkshire moors, 40 years after the release of her hit song "Wuthering Heights".

Bush said it was "an honour and, in a way, a chance to say thank you to [Emily Bronte]", who wrote the book featuring the characters upon which her song was based.

Faber has not revealed which songs will be included in the collection. It has previously published lyrics by a number of British artists including Billy Bragg, Van Morrison, Joy Division's Ian Curtis and Jarvis Cocker.