For former ASU student Alex Coscas, the title of his high school friend's recently published book, "Warning: College Unauthorized," was all too appropriate.
Coscas was surprised to find material he had written might have been included without his permission in a book written by his old friend Brian Ary.
"A friend of mine called me one day about two to three months ago [about Ary's book]," Coscas said.
During their senior year at Central High School in Phoenix, Coscas and Ary collaborated to write a book that they finished and named "Warning: High School Unauthorized." After rooming together during their freshman year at ASU, each went his separate way, Coscas said. Ary remained at ASU, and Coscas headed to the University of Southern California.
As far as Coscas knew, "Warning: High School Unauthorized" remained a book of unpublished pages. That is, until a friend told him about Ary's book.
He then opened the old manuscript and began to compare what he had written to what Ary had published. Coscas said he found 15 to 20 pages of his own work in the first section of the book dealing with high school. Coscas then contacted Ary and the book's publisher regarding the use of his material without accreditation.
"I don't even care about the money," Coscas said. "I want credit for what I've written."
Ary admits that he used portions of text that Coscas had written, but he said that he had no intention to plagiarize. They are both working toward an agreement, said Ary, who will be signing copies of his book today at 11:30 a.m. at the ASU Bookstore.
"I spoke with [Coscas] the other day and [the situation] is being resolved," Ary said.
Although a portion of the book does deal with high school, the majority deals primarily with Ary's experiences at ASU, he said.
Ary said he has always wanted to publish a book and he feels that the market, while full of stories about the traditional university, is lacking other points of view.
"There are always stories about the Ivy League schools, but you don't really see the other side of the spectrum," Ary said. "Basically, if there is a moral, it's enjoy your youth. A lot of the opportunities that come along in college will never come along again. Take full advantage of it."
Ary said he is currently planning a second book that will deal with student travel abroad.
Coscas said he is also considering publishing his own sections of "Warning: High School Unauthorized" but is uncertain about the specifics.
Reach the reporter at rkost@asu.edu.
