As James Frey’s primary publishers have been in America, they do the editing on the books. Although James is always very accommodating to any of the few suggestions I make - few because that unique prose style, which looks simple, is incredibly finely wrought, and as soon as you remove or tinker with a word, the whole sentence collapses and loses it impact.

James has such an eye for art and a strong visual sense that we spend some time discussing cover approaches (the iconic and timeless Million Little Pieces cover came from his mentioning Damien Hirst, and the Bright Shiny Morning one from a conversation about Tracey Emin); then it’s on to marketing and publicity plans and all that goes with publishing such a major author. He did look a bit surprised to be taken to the Hay Festival for his first book, though….

Roland Philipps, John Murray MD and James’ Editor