How long did it take you to write FAKE?

In the summer of 2004, when I decided to begin this project, I struggled for several months with the book proposal, the document that outlines the book and is submitted to publishers. After my agent and I finally agreed on a way to structure the story into chapters, and we sold the book to Simon & Shuster, I spent about four months writing the first draft, which was about 140,000 words (i.e. way too long). I wrote very methodically, forcing myself to write at least 1000 words a day, every day, until I finished. In four months I only missed this goal once, and made up for it the next day. Then I spent the next six months, on and off, editing, and eventually got the book down to about 90,000 words, its current length.

What happened to the painting?

I was required to turn over ownership of the forged Richard Diebenkorn painting to the federal government when I pled guilty to fraud charges for shill bidding on eBay. At the time, my attorney told me the prosecutors thought they may be able to sell it to help compensate the victims of the scheme (who have all, by now, already been compensated), due the painting's "infamy." The government never sold the painting, and I can only assume it is sitting in a government warehouse somewhere in Northern California (if it still exists).

What happened to Fetterman? Do you ever talk to him?

According to the Bureau of Prisons website, Fetterman was released from federal custody in October 2005. I have no idea what he's doing now. We haven't spoken since 2001.

Could a person still find art in thrift stores and sell it on eBay at a profit?

There are a lot more paintings on the site now than there were back in 2000, and I'm sure there are more people out there scouring for things to resell in online auctions. My guess is that a person could still make a living doing this, but it would be more challenging now than it was when I was doing it. eBay was more of a seller's market back then.

What is the best thing for me to sell on eBay?

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've been asked this question. The short answer: I have no idea. I haven't sold things on eBay since 2001.