Julie Couillard is releasing her autobiography ahead of schedule, before the federal election, a decision that could embarrass the Conservatives with revelations about her affair with former cabinet minister Maxime Bernier.

Julie Couillard's autobiography, slated to launch on Oct. 6, is expected to include details of her relationship with former foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

The 320-page book was originally to be released on Oct. 14, Canada's election day — but the English version will now be available in bookstores on Oct. 6.

The French version will be on sale a few days later.

"She has been completely open and honest about her life from the beginning to the present day and talks about everything that she's ever been involved in," Josh Glover, a spokesman for McClelland & Stewart in Toronto, said Tuesday.

"There's definitely some things that will be perceived as being very timely, especially given that the election is coming."

The highly anticipated autobiography is expected to include details of Couillard's relationship with Bernier, who dated her for about eight months, while he was foreign affairs minister.

"She did not hold back," Glover said.

Bernier resigned from the post in May 2008, after it was revealed he left classified NATO briefing documents at Couillard's Laval home.

The book, titled Julie Couillard: My Story, is supposed to include details of her past relationships with various high-ranking members of Quebec biker gangs.

The launch of Couillard's book at the close of the federal election campaign "certainly won't hurt" its sales, but wasn't intentional, Glover said. He said Couillard signed the book deal on July 20, before anyone knew a vote would be held in the fall.

"We were very lucky in that the initial product that we were delivered was much more polished than we were expecting so we were able to do that much more quickly and were able to move the date up two weeks from what we initially thought," said Glover, who noted Couillard will be doing interviews to promote the book.

Couillard was not involved in the decision to release the book ahead of its original launch date, a spokesperson for Les Éditions de l'Homme told Montreal newspaper La Presse.

Les Éditions de l'Homme is publishing the French version of Couillard's book, Ma vie.

McClelland & Stewart is issuing the English version.

A Conservative spokesperson was not immediately available to comment.

Bernier is a Conservative candidate in the Beauce riding, southeast of Quebec City.

With files from the Canadian Press