Strauss, on how to write like a porn star

By: Shawn Moynihan There are still assignments that many journalists consider too dangerous. Covering organized crime figures, for instance. Or being embedded with the military under fire. Or ghost-writing a famed porn star's memoir.

Fortunately, in this latter instance, former New York Times music critic Neil Strauss was just the man for the job. As the man who helped chronicle the ultra-sleazy exploits of '80s rockers Motley Croe in the band's 2001 autobiography, The Dirt, Strauss seems like a natural choice to lay bare the soul of the "it" girl of modern pornography. The result, Jenna Jameson's How to Make Love Like a Porn Star, is scheduled for release this summer.

The deal to pen Jameson's memoirs "came through Regan Books, because I've previously written two books for them that did pretty well," Strauss says, referring to the Crue book and the Marilyn Manson autobiography The Long Hard Road Out of Hell. Before he agreed to do the new book, Strauss says, he told the porn princess "that her life had to be interesting enough that we could write the first 50 pages and not even mention sex, and still have a book that people won't be able to put down. It's a wild story that will probably change the way everybody looks at her ? insert your joke here."

Although some have speculated the Times was not pleased with Strauss taking on this project ? to the extent that it led to his resignation last month ? the writer claims that wasn't the case.

"I think talk of the newspaper's reaction has been greatly exaggerated," Strauss says. "But I can understand why the rumor makes for good copy."

Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis says Strauss and his editors had a "frank and thorough discussion" of outside activities last year ? and that they pointed out to him, with some emphasis, that the newspaper's ethical guidelines include this passage: "Before accepting a freelance assignment, a staff member should make sure that the tone and content of the publication, Web site or program are in keeping with the standards of the Times."

Strauss claims Jameson's life is simply another interesting story. "Jenna Jameson is a newsworthy subject," he says. "Her image has appeared on the cover of the Arts section and she has been interviewed for the [Times]."

Jameson, who resides in Scottsdale, Ariz., is the CEO of Club Jenna, Inc. (an Internet management, production, and licensing company) and has a production deal with adult film distributor Vivid Entertainment Group. Her mainstream film credits include Howard Stern's Private Parts.