“A Million Little Pieces” is going to cost its publisher 2.35 million little dollars.
Random House has agreed to pay that much to readers who bought the “memoir” before Jan. 26, 2006, around the time author James Frey was forced to confess he’d fibbed about parts of his drug- and alcohol-fueled life, including an 87-day stint behind bars.
Hardcover readers who tear out page 163 and send it along with their claim will get back as much as $23.95; paperback readers who send in the cover will get back a max of $14.95. CD and cassette buyers will also be reimbursed.
But if most of the book’s readers line up for a refund, the average payout will shrink substantially.
Only the $2.35 million will be divvied up by readers of the book whose sales spiked to 3 million after Oprah Winfrey raved about its redemptive message on her talk show in the fall of 2005.
The preliminary settlement approved this week by Manhattan Federal Judge Richard Holwell will resolve several lawsuits filed across the country by readers of Frey’s memoir.
Notices will appear in several publications over the coming months. Readers will be directed to the amlpsettlement.com Web site, where they can submit their claim. They can also obtain a claim form by calling (866) 459-3651.
Claims must be received by Oct. 1, and a final hearing will take place Nov. 2. Objections have to be made by Aug. 23. Readers who don’t want to join the settlement can opt out and pursue their own claim.
