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The JT Leroy literary hoax

by Steffani Martin
Filed under: The History of Pranks, Fraud and Deception, Literary Hoaxes

From Steffani Martin:

JT LeroyAuthor JT Leroy hoaxed many people with “autobiographical” novels and stories based on his tragic youth as a transvestite prostitute. He got the sympathy of many famous people, and some hot book and movie deals until it came out that “he” is a middle class woman who made it all up to gain publicity for her career in the rock music business.

Warren St. James, of The New York Times exposed the hoax (see article below) as did New York Metro.com writer Stephen Beachy (also available from Susie Bright’s blog). Susie Bright discusses the hoax further here. (more…)

Posted: April 24th, 2007