James Franco to Publish Debut Poetry Collection with Graywolf Press

Acclaimed actor and author James Franco is set to officially publish his first works of poetry, "Directing Herbert White" with Graywolf press. The collection is set for an April 2014 release.

Franco, who holds two MFAs, one in creative writing from Brooklyn College and one in poetry from Warren Wilson College, seems to be focusing primarily on the Los Angeles region in his first collection. He recently told MTV News that he had been thinking of "the idea of L.A. as a place where people's dreams can come true, but also L.A. as a place that eats its young."

Jeffrey Shotts, who serves as the poetry editor for Graywolf, said that Franco's works are, "a series of portraits of American successes and failures from within Hollywood. ... But they are also smart and highly aware notes of caution of what can happen when the filmed self becomes fixed and duplicated, while the ongoing self must continue living and watching."

Franco is currently directing "As I Lay Dying". The Academy Award-nominated actor appeared on stage last year in Three Performances in Search of Tennessee. He is best known for his work in film, starring in hit movies such as MILK, HOWL, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, and 127 HOURS.