Friedman has written or contributed to fourteen previous books, including biographies and monographs. One of his six novels, Whispers, was recommended by William Gass for a National Book Award and, in 1979, was staged off-Broadway. Another, Museum, appeared in the first series of books published by the Fiction Collective. His most recent novel, The Polygamist, was enthusiastically reviewed; Ray Stark has bought the movie rights. Friedman's biography Jackson Pollock: Energy Made Visible was selected by the American Library Association as one of the year's Notable Books. Coming Close is a summation of Friedman's work to date. It demonstrates how fine is the line separating fact and fiction.