Book Biz: Star Jones to Pen Novel Based on 'The View?'

TV personality Star Jones is making a foray into the world of fiction with her first novel, 'The Lunch Club,' which many speculate is loosely based on her time as a co-host on 'The View.'

The announcement that the 48-year-old attorney had landed a deal with Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, to publish 'The Lunch Club' was announced today.

"As a huge fan of escapist reading – everything by Danielle Steel, 'Sex and the City' and any 'Devil Wears' anything books -- I've dreamed of writing a juicy novel for many years," said Jones. "Just like in the daytime talk show world, readers will love getting to know these characters and engaging in their lives. Over the course of the last 15 years in the television industry, I've met some of the most fascinating people, heard the most surprising situations and have been privy to so many great stories and secrets. But while this novel will be dishy, it will be a work of fiction! A lady would never tell actual tales out of school!"

The tome will follow female hosts on a daytime talk show called 'The Lunch Club' as "they learn that a former colleague, who departed under mysterious circumstances and is privy to all their backstage secrets, is coming back with a splash!"

An ambitious young publicist is charged with gathering all the details that the former colleague may disclose and "prevent a disaster of nightmarish (even cancellation-worthy!) proportions."

The book will hit stores next spring.

In real life, Jones co-hosted 'The View' from the beginning of the show in 1997 until her controversial exit in 2006.

She went on to host a short-lived talk show for the now defunct Court TV and worked as a guest host on the syndicated news magazine show 'The Insider' for three months last fall.

The North Carolina-bred talent has penned two other books: 2006's 'Shine: A Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love' (Harper Collins) and 1999's 'You Have to Stand for Something or You'll For Anything' (Bantam).

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For related stories, read: 'Tiger Tussle: Star Jones Says Barbara Walters Can Relate to Woods'

& 'New View: Star Jones Launches Blog & Tapes Oprah Appearance.'

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