Pre-Red Carpet Must-Read: “True Hollywood Lies” Turns Oscar Fact into Titillating Fiction

What is black and white and red carpet all over? The answer is “True Hollywood Lies,” a satirical novel about an actor who is nominated for an Academy Award, and the harried personal assistant who has to endure his angst—and romantic overtures—from the moment his nomination is announced, up until the winning name is read out loud...

(PRWEB) February 15, 2006 -- What is black and white and red carpet all over?

The answer is “True Hollywood Lies,” a satirical novel about an actor who is nominated for an Academy Award, and the harried personal assistant who has to endure his angst—and romantic overtures—from the moment his nomination is announced, up until the winning name is read out loud.

Is “True Hollywood Lies” ready for its close-up? Author Josie Brown, a journalist who has done her share of celebrity interviews, thinks so.

“Be it contemporary fiction or historical fiction, a lot of research goes into the creation of any novel,” explains Brown. “‘True Hollywood Lies’ is no exception. Most certainly the book does its fair share of namedropping: you know, the hottest designers, the most sought-after stylists. But I also wanted to give readers a bird’s eye view of the excitement that occurs when a star reaches the pinnacle of his or her profession.”

Critical consensus is that Brown has succeeded. According to Publishers Weekly, the book “…confirms just what you suspect about celebrity, and unfolds with all the inevitability of a romantic comedy,” while Romance Readers’ Connections feels that “Brown does an outstanding job capturing the glitz and glamour of Hollywood living, yet illuminating the stark loneliness present beneath the façade.” The Wall Street Journal says, “The tone is confessional, the writing laced with venomous humor.”

The novel also reflects the elation, self-doubt, double-dealing and politicking that take place during Oscar time—none of which you see on television, says Brown.

“Instead, we hear the carefully prepared sound bites and the usual patter, like: ‘I’m just honored to have been nominated.’ But deep down inside, the stars are just like us: they are frantic, frenzied, and freaking out. Heck, who wouldn’t be? What happens that evening can affect the future success of the actor’s entire career!”

So where will Brown be, come Oscar night? She laughs heartily. “I wish I could say that I have my invitation to the Kodak Theatre buried deep inside some beaded Judith Leiber clutch, but, sadly I don’t.”

Instead the San Francisco-based author will be in Houston for an Oscar bash sponsored by Crave Party, where two hundred women will be eagerly eyeing red carpet fashions, dishing on star gossip, and listening to passages from “True Hollywood Lies” that reflect what they are watching on the big screen TVs sprinkled throughout the event.

“The reason why so many of us love watching the Oscars is the glitter factor. Still, it’s interesting to know that there’s some tarnish there, too. ‘True Hollywood Lies’ puts all of it into perspective. I guess that’s why so many Oscar party event planners are putting it into their swag bags.”

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