EL James, author of the best-selling erotic fiction series 50 Shades of Grey, has just announced that she will soon be releasing a brand-new addition to her oeuvre. Fifty Shades of Grey: Inner Goddess (A Journal) is set to be a writing guide for aspiring erotic fictionists, and is set to be out early May.
This book’s novel approach eschews offering straightforward writing advice, and employs blank, lined pages where the reader can set down their ideas (or “inner goddesses”). The book will also contain a foreword from the author, selected excerpts from 50 Shades of Grey, and an inspirational playlist to help reader’s imaginations along.
James, whose real name is Erika Leonard Mitchell, first penned 50 Shades of Grey as fan fiction for Stephenie James’ own best-selling trilogy Twilight. Publishers soon picked up on the online popularity (and infamy) of the work. In time, James landed a seven-figure contract with Random House Vintage Books, and later on, a movie deal with Universal Pictures and Focus Pictures for the release of the film adaptation. While this sparked much controversy among the Twilight fan community, the events that have played out for James have indeed changed the game for fiction writers, fan-based or otherwise.
EL James has not only been criticized by many feminists for idealizing an emotionally abusive relationship in the books as “healthy”, but the BDSM community is also quite wary of the work for its misinterpretation of the subculture’s basic tenets and culture. Readers were further divided: some loved it, some vilified it for its “poorly written” plot and awkward-to-cringeworthy portrayal of sex.
Social Media was quick to snap up the news and deliver their own reactions. The impending release set #50tips on fire, with hilarious results. Users positted: what would James’ writing tips look like?
#50tips “First, read Twilight.”
— Sarah Wendell (@SmartBitches) March 11, 2013
#50tips Second: read Twilight again. Six times total is a good start. Then read the rest of the series. — Sarah Wendell (@SmartBitches) March 11, 2013
RT @RRKovar: You only have to *say* your heroine is smart. You never have to show her doing anything smart. Saves time. #50tips
— Kiersi (@kiersi) March 11, 2013
#50tips Don’t worry if you don’t actually know anything about complex subjects like BDSM or corporate business. Just make shit up. — Sarah Wendell (@SmartBitches) March 11, 2013
EL James’ new writing guide should be retitled, “How to Turn Your Fanfiction Into a Bestseller — A Primer by SnowQueens IceDragon.”
— Elizabeth May (@_ElizabethMay) March 11, 2013
Tumblr users expressed their sentiments through timess gifs and one-liners:
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