Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has been smart and outspoken all his life, but the rest of us only found out about it last year, when he wrote a letter to a Maryland legislator, taking him to task for his anti-gay-rights stance. (Read our Kluwe profile here.)

Now, Kluwe will make a little money from his words, when Little, Brown publishes a collection of his essays (which they are calling in a press release "hilarious, pointed and touching") this summer.

The title of the book - "Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies" - apparently comes from a Mother Jones article, which called Kluwe "a glimmering sparklepony of candor."

According to the press release, the essays will touch on faith, government, professional sports, religion, social values and human rights.

On Twitter - Kluwe tweets at @ChrisWarcraft - Kluwe said the book will include "uncensored essays and stories about whatever I feel like."

He adds, in a second tweet, "Topics of the book include, but are not limited to: sportsball, augmented reality, empathy, random wordplay, the Fermi Paradox, and Grus."

Star Tribune, Star Tribune

You can also order a signed "Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies" bookplate from the publisher (limited availability). Details are here.

[Photo: Carlos Gonzalez]