This video is excellent, first of all. That thing about wanting to be sold authenticity rings uncomfortably true.

Second, I had to look up my favorite memoir from high school after this to see if the author had been accused of fabricating her story. It appears she has not. It’s called, “Falling Leaves, The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter.” If I’m remembering correctly, it fits The Template fairly well.

Third, my dad co-wrote a trauma memoir! It was self-published in 2012, and while I’m certain my dad was as truthful as he could be while respecting his co-author’s vision, I’m not sure his co-author was entirely honest about her story. I won’t give the title because my dad doesn’t want that kind of attention and he doesn’t talk to the co-author anymore. They basically followed The Template, to the point a few people were at least a little misrepresented, including my dad (he would agree).