Amazon To Publish James Franco's Novel, 'Actors Anonymous'

James Franco is at it again.

His seemingly active goal of becoming a professional dabbler in every single creative field has led him to an Oscar-nominated acting role in "127 Hours," the publishing of a Cali-themed short story collection, "Palo Alto," a creative writing instructor position at NYU and the production of a multimedia project reinterpreting TV show Three's Company.

Now he's announced that he'll be penning a second book, "Actor's Anonymous," which, according to "The Observer," will be a "fictionalized version of Mr. Franco's experiences as an actor (and grad student?)"

But here's the kicker: he's decided to forgo the traditional publishing houses, and has signed with Amazon.

Franco is one of many celebrity-writers to sign with Amazon's publishing arm. Others include self-help expert Timothy Ferriss, Hollywood actress Penny Marshall and guru Deepak Chopra. His first book received distinctly lukewarm reviews, but his star power is yet another reminder of Amazon's muscle-flexing in the world of publishing - of which there will be doubtless more to come before the year is out.

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Comments

[Trapped in Arizona]

09:52 PM on 01/07/2012

One of Franco's (seemingly sycophantic) professors, when asked how in the world Franco can earn a PhD while making blockbuster movies, responded that Franco has so much down time during takes (during which he voraciously reads) and so many personal assistants tending to his every whim and need, that the real question should be, "why aren't MORE big-name actors earning PhDs?".

[socialtalker]

10:21 PM on 01/06/2012

there was a previous story of a young lady who was rejected by all the book pubs. she went on amazon and literally got rich because amazon gives their authors an astonishing 70% OF THE SALE. even though the ebooks are like 3.00 each! the publishers couldnt match it! i would be very scared if i was an old time book publisher.

[thetruth3]

08:46 AM on 01/05/2012

Great way to support independent booksellers.

[pepper1311]

03:31 AM on 01/05/2012

If Jimmy were for real he would quit his day job and take that 60 k a year professors job.

[SpringDoc]

12:40 PM on 01/05/2012

Which day job would you propose he give up. He's the definition of multi-tasker.

[pepper1311]

03:35 AM on 01/06/2012

Acting

[MunyaBuddya]

03:14 AM on 01/05/2012

I thought "graduating" was going to be the punchline.

[Bluejay00234]

03:05 AM on 01/05/2012

Not me, so who cares?

[Myke Carrion]

02:47 AM on 01/05/2012

Franco rules!!

[porthaul]

01:11 AM on 01/05/2012

I was hoping that the next thing he was doing was taking a shower.

[oceanofconsciousness]

01:35 AM on 01/05/2012

I was guessing gay porn but maybe next year.

[scripted]

12:49 AM on 01/05/2012

All luck to him, but I am more eagerly anticipating Huff Post's Franco section. We get to hear about him every second day on this website anyway.

[MunyaBuddya]

03:16 AM on 01/05/2012

Seriously. If not for HuffPo I would have no idea who he is. I still don't know what he does that is newsworthy but I can at least match image with name. Go me!

[hottingers]

12:48 AM on 01/05/2012

Could he shave?

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

12:34 AM on 01/05/2012

Pseudo-intellectual, pretentious wannabe, and an overrated actor to boot.

[oneeasyrider]

12:42 AM on 01/05/2012

I'm going to call you on pseudo-intellectual. I've listened to James a couple of times, he definitely knows what he's talking about when he offers his opinion. You may not like it, but he's certainly well informed.

[Grevy Turty]

06:46 PM on 03/08/2012

Anyone who thinks this goof is an intellectual needs to pick up a book some time. Unbelievable.

[newsdudeATL]

12:20 AM on 01/05/2012

This pudding has no theme.

[ZC1968]

12:05 AM on 01/05/2012

Franco is a Druggie

[nbart71]

11:45 PM on 01/04/2012

Taking acting lessons? No... that can't be it...

[BAMUDA]

11:44 PM on 01/04/2012

Star power trumps ability yet again