Fake Memoir Author Pens Debut Novel

'A Million Little Pieces' writer James Frey calls it fiction this time
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 13, 2007 2:51 AM CDT
Fake Memoir Author Pens Debut Novel
This file photo originally provided by Harpo Productions shows Oprah Winfrey, right, on Jan. 26, 2006, during her live television interview with James Frey, author of "A Million Little Pieces," in Chicago. Frey is writing a new book, to be published in summer 2008 by HarperCollins. (AP Photo/Harpo...   (Associated Press)

Disgraced author James Frey, whose memoir "A Million Little Pieces" was revealed as fiction last year, will publish a debut novel, "Bright Shiny Morning," with HarperCollins, the Wall Street Journal reports. Frey's fabricated memoir about losing his life to drug addiction sold some 3 million copies and nabbed a coveted spot on Oprah's book list.

The author's deception resulted in Frey having to pay a $2.35 million settlement of a class action lawsuit and getting chewed out by Oprah on a return visit to her show. Despite his past, Frey seems to have the faith of his new publisher: "We're publishing this book because it is an extraordinary piece of work," said Jonathan Burnham for HarperCollins. (More James Frey stories.)

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