Australians will finally get to hear from David Hicks in a tell-all memoir despite the possible imposition of proceeds of crime laws.

Over the many years of the Hicks saga, there has been an avalanche of media reports and countless books about his case.

But this time the former Guantanamo Bay detainee will be speaking in his own words.

The book is about 400 pages and covers everything from his life in Adelaide to his training with fundamentalist Islamic armed forces, the years of being locked up at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and his conviction for supporting terrorism.

Sydney-based publisher Random House will not reveal the details of its book deal with Mr Hicks and says readers should be able to make up their own minds about the controversial figure.

Publishing director at Random House Australia, Nikki Christer, says Hicks approached her.

It's been nearly three years since David Hicks came out of an Adelaide jail and ever since he's been bombarded with publishing offers.

"A lot of people have had an opinion on David for a very long time and he hasn't been able to set the record straight," Ms Christer said.

"I do hope Australians give this book a go and read it. They will find it compelling. It is a hell of a story."

Ms Christer says the book is about setting the record straight, not changing the public perception.

"Anyone who has been locked up in Guantanamo for five and a half years - for the first two years not even able to see a lawyer - I think questions should be asked about that," she said.

"I cannot imagine why anyone would think that that's an acceptable form of justice.

"I don't think David is after sympathy by any means. I think that he wants to set the record straight, explain what happened to him and let people hear the truth for the first time."

Payment

Ms Christer will not say if Mr Hicks is being paid for the book or whether Random House or the author is at risk of falling foul of federal proceeds of crime laws.

But she did say Random House sought legal advice on the issue.

"Any deal that we do with any author, and that's any author that we publish, are strictly between us - the publishing house and the author," she said.

"Obviously any legal issues are a matter for David and his lawyers.

"We did take legal advice about the proceeds of crime laws. We were happy with that. But further issues on proceeds of crime are for David and his lawyer."

The Australia Federal Police can pursue Mr Hicks if he has broken the law.

But according to George Williams, public law expert at the University of New South Wales, they would have to prove he has been paid.

"You can't proceed unless you actually know that Hicks is profiting. Unless that can be shown then there's no basis to make an order against him," he said.

"But there are means by which that information can be found out and the police in investigating any of these matters do have tools at their disposal to find out the information they need."

Conviction

Mr Hicks's conviction under the US military commission could yet be overturned if a number of other former detainees win their court challenges.

The Australian Federal Police has told the ABC it will not speculate about any investigation into Mr Hicks.

Mr Hicks's father Terry does not believe his son has been motivated by money.

He says the book will answer many questions people have about his son.

"His interest in writing this was to put the information out there," he said.

"I think it's probably going to make my experiences easier as well, because I have so many people that approach me when I'm out asking about David and how he is going and is there going to be a book.

"Maybe after the 16th of October I don't have to tell them anymore."