A friendly promo for student's book

More than a few students have signed onto their Facebook.com profiles in the last few weeks and found a new friend named Melvany Lee waiting for them. But before they get too flattered by the unsolicited attention, there's one thing they should know - he isn't real.

Lee is a persona created by SCPS senior Jason Stein as a way to publicize his book, "Hello Friend, My Name Is Melvany."

By creating Lee's profile, Stein has taken marketing on Facebook one step further. Lee's Facebook listing is an introduction to the book. The profile starts with a run-down of his character, his interests and favorite movies. Until the "About Me" section, there is no indication that Lee is not just another NYU student.

"My last name is not actually Lee. Like Cher, Madonna, Two Ton Charlie (TTC) and Chingy, I have no last name. But one cannot register for TheFacebook without providing a first and last name, so I used Lee," the beginning of the "About Me" section says.

Lee was born after a late night at Josie Wood's Pub. Stein had sat down at his computer the next morning looking for someone to chat with.

"Nobody was online at the early hour, so I opened up Microsoft Word and started writing. I was talking - or typing - to myself. I wrote 15 pages in four hours, and so it goes," he said.

The remainder of the book was written over the course of Stein's junior year.

"I'd stay up until two or four in the morning writing," Stein said, "I wrote in class, too. In my Corporate Sponsorship class, I wrote 30 pages in one semester."

But don't go counting pages, said Robin Beery, Jason's Creative Writing graduate instructor last semester. Stein made a point of mentioning that he didn't want the pressure of page numbers in the book.

"He plays games with literary conventions, sophisticated games," Beery said. "This work is heartfelt and sincere, although it could be fun and childlike at times."

Stein said the book is supposed to be lighthearted and funny. It tells the story of "an extremely idiosyncratic soon-to-be graduate" named Melvany, who stays in his dorm room for a whole week, reflecting on life and his "grimy, alcoholic roommate."

"[Melvany] reflects on his emblematic college experiences and eccentrically enjoyable life," Stein said. "He tells many stories and undergoes much free thought."

Stein said that the book would have universal appeal.

"Anyone who will soon be, currently is, or once was a college student will relate to the character of Melvany," Stein said.

As for the selection of Melvany's Facebook friends, Stein said it is entirely random. Stein types in a random college, a random common name, picks a person and befriends them and all of their friends. You should check your profile tonight - maybe he's added you. €¢

"Hello Friend, My Name is Melvany" will be released in January.