The literary hoax may be turning into a uniquely Australian art form.
Less than a year after the winner of the prestigious Miles Franklin award was exposed as a fraud, another top Australian author has come under scrutiny.
Donina Williams' Nobody Nowhere, a harrowing autobiographical account of her struggle with autism, spent a year on the New York Times top 10 list, has been translated into 14 languages and shortlisted for literary awards. But experts now allege she may not be autistic.
Williams, 32, has gone into hiding in the wake of the allegations and has refused to give media interviews.
Jacqueline Roberts, director of services for the New South Wales Autistic Association, said Williams' ability to write about her condition was 'not typical of people with autism'.
