#AskELJAmes Goes Horribly Wrong, Read the Results

It was just a few weeks ago when #Grey drew tweeps far and wide to revel in and gawk at excerpts of EL James’ newest book, “Grey”. Now the author’s publicity team decided to give #AskELJames a go, because why not? What could possibly go wrong for a Q&A session with the millions of Twitter users for the author of the infamous (and widely adored, criticized, and parodied) “50 Shades of Grey”?

Pretty much a lot, actually.

Do you think you’ll ever fully convince yourself the FIFTY SHADES books are an original work? #AskELJames

— Norm Wilner (@normwilner) June 29, 2015

With a zinger like that for an opener, that pretty much set the mood for the Q&A. the whole shebang went for a pell-mell downhill dive and a tumble of mish-mashed awkwardness and hilarity from there.

If I stalk a girl and GPS her car, does that mean it’s true love? #AskELJames

— Trevor Donovan (@TrevDon) June 29, 2015

We wouldn’t even bet our car insurance on that.

#AskELJames do you know 15 year olds can write fanfics with healthier relationships than yours?

— TEEN WOLF TONIGHT (@toxiicroden) June 29, 2015

We’re sure a host of kids on Tumblr and Fanfiction.net are up for the challenge.

How could E.L. James not have known that #ASKELJames would turn into at least 50 shades of shade? Come on, lady.

— Imani Gandy (@AngryBlackLady) June 29, 2015

So much shade thrown. The jig is up.

What do you dislike more, Independent strong woman or the English language? #AskELJames

— Trevor Donovan (@TrevDon) June 29, 2015

Ooooooh.

I wrote some Jurassic Park slash-fiction. If I changed the dinosaurs to people, could I get a book deal? #AskELJames pic.twitter.com/2sGHTaPR6y

— Philip Moon (@Philip_R_Moon) June 29, 2015

Paging Chuck Tingle in Aisle 4.

#AskELJames What’s your favourite shade out of the 50? Is there a chance that more shades will be added?

— Jack Howard (@JackHoward) June 29, 2015

Pantone would probably know.

My boss said no when I asked if I could kiss him and then I did anyway because no means yes right? Things at work are awkward. #AskELJames

— Anna (@thatswedishgirl) June 29, 2015

It’s probably just as awkward as this Q&A.

These last two tweets summarize the whole event better than we ever could.

Somewhere, there is a PR/social exec frantically searching the #AskELJames tag for questions she can *actually* answer.

— Laura Thomas (@_eltee) June 29, 2015