‘Fiction or nonfiction?’:Taylor Auerbach hints at book after Bruce Lehrmann trial

The Channel Seven producer who became a star witness in the Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial against Lisa Wilkinson and Channel 10 has hinted he may release a book after the ordeal. Here’s the latest.

Ex-Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach has hinted at self-publishing a novel about the biggest court case in Australia.

The former Channel Seven producer turned star witness in the Bruce Lehrmann and Channel 10 defamation case made a bizarre post to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday night.

“I’ve been writing a book!” Auerbach announced to his 3372 followers.

“I don’t have a publisher – rather, I’m just having a crack, to see if I can do it. It might never be read by anybody but me,” he wrote on Saturday. “And I’m only an each-way bet.”

Ex-Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach hints at a book on X (formerly Twitter). Photo: X.

The caption accompanied a screengrab of a synopsis for Auerbach’s self-described “hulluva yarn”.

“The story revolves around a series of events involving a group of individuals connected to the media and political landscape in Australia,” the former Spotlight staffer’s post reads.

“It follows the interactions and dynamics between these characters, including a producer, government consultants, and a controversial figure accused of rape.”

Former Seven network Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach (centre) departs the Federal Court after giving evidence in the hearing. Picture: Bianca De Marchi.

If that sounds awfully familiar, it’s because Auerbach became a surprise key witness in the eleventh hour of Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation battle with Network 10 and journalist Lisa Wilkinson in April.

The network was granted leave to reopen its case to hear fresh evidence from Auerbach, who claimed he used a company credit card to pay Thai masseuses for Lehrmann in the period where he was trying to get the ex-political staffer over the line for an interview with Seven’s Spotlight.

He also claimed Lehrmann was reimbursed for cocaine, and leaked evidence from the rape case to Spotlight’s executive producer Mark Llewellyn.

Mr Lehrmann has denied the claims, and Channel Seven described parts of Mr Auerbach’s evidence as false and misleading.

Sesnai thai massage file photos.

Bruce Lehrmann emerges from court on April 15, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. Justice Michael Lee has ruled in favour of Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson in Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case. Photo: Don Arnold/Getty Images.

“Fiction/Nonfiction?” Auerbach teased about his book. “It would be crass to say.”

“In any case, I asked A.I. what it thought of Chapter One. Based on its early review, this promises to be one helluva yarn…”

Auerbach is self-employed as the director of his own consultancy, Bubbles Media.

In the Federal Court of Australia last month, Justice Lee found on civil standard of the balance of probability that Lehrmann did rape Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019.

Taylor Auerbach leaves the Federal Court on Friday. The former Channel 7 producer will give evidence about documents and recordings provided to Spotlight after Network 10 successfully reopened Bruce Lehrmann's defamation trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Nikki Short.

“This is a man who desperately wanted to do as much damage to his previous employer as he could conceivably do,” Justice Lee said of Auerbach.

“That doesn’t mean he’s not a truth teller, but don’t put him up as some sort of noble public interested person who was coming along to get something off his chest because he thought he’d assist his majesty’s justices.

“He’s a man who wanted to make a range of allegations against people under absolute privilege.”

On Sunday, Taylor Auerbach made a series of posts to X about ordering McDonald’s at midnight. Photo: X.

The AI-generated review of Auerbach’s first chapter says that he “showcases an ability to weave multiple storylines and characters together, creating a complex and engaging narrative.”

“The narrative explores themes such as media manipulation, power dynamics, and the ethical implications of reporting on sensitive issues,” it reads.

The artificial intelligence praised Auerbach’s “command of descriptive language” and “attention to detail”. It also noted the inclusion of “dialogue” and “internal thoughts”.

The story “delves into the complexities of relationships and the consequences of personal and professional decisions within this interconnected world,” the AI summary reads.

Lehrmann has until May 31 to launch an appeal against the decision after being granted a time extension.

On Sunday, Auerbach made a series of posts to X about ordering McDonald’s at midnight.

“The local McDonald’s won’t serve me at counter, but will honour Uber Eats orders, so I’ve ordered Uber Eats to the local McDonald’s,” he captioned a selfie taken at Maccas.