50 Shades of Grey?

The Market for and Marketing of 50 Shades

Some bits of info on (1) the readers and (2) marketing from ye old Wikipedia. Note the role of "viral marketing," with its own link and discussion on Wiki:

"The novel was released in both e-book and a print-on-demand paperback in June 2011 by The Writers' Coffee Shop, a virtual publisher based in Australia. The second volume, Fifty Shades Darker, was released in September 2011, and the third, Fifty Shades Freed, followed in January 2012. The Writers' Coffee Shop had a restricted marketing budget and relied largely on book blogs for early publicity, with sales of the novel boosted by word of mouth recommendations. The book's erotic nature and perceived demographic of a fanbase that includes women that are either married, over thirty, or both have led to the book being dubbed "Mommy Porn" by some news agencies.

By the release of the final volume in January of 2012, news networks in the United States had begun to report on the Fifty Shades trilogy as an example of viral marketing and of the rise in popularity of female erotica, attributing its success to the discreet nature of e-reading devices. Due to the heightened interest in the series, the license to the Fifty Shades trilogy was picked up by Vintage Books for re-release in a new and revised edition in April 2012."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey

What "Works" in 50 Shades?

While only one reader reaction, here's what a "busy mother of two" thinks makes 50 Shades work for her. Perhaps it's instructive what works is inner world material (of whatever quality) as much as the erotica:

"Into the narrative, the author successfully weaves Ana's voice of reason (her subconscious) and her voice of desire (her "inner goddess"), which accurately reflect the seesaw of emotions that a woman might actually experience in her situation. The author also offers some inner monologue that complement(s) the other two voices. This combination makes the characters and this unlikely story readily accessible and credible. What's more, the first installment focuses exclusively on the sexual experience of Anastasia: you know, the other side of the sexual equation that we rarely hear about or see in mainstream media."

Her full discussion is at link below. Note also her links to various book review articles.

http://www.theunexpectedtnt.com/2012/03/review-50-shades-of-grey.html

I would be interested in knowing what you think?

Thinking

veinglory said:

I would be interested in knowing what you think?

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I presume you mean what I think "about the book" since, as my posts suggest, I think and post less about the criticisms of 50 Shades (mine and others) than the implications of various criticisms for our writing, marketing and reaching the erotic reader audience. I am, I hope, forever learning.

As for my own reaction to the book itself, it's close to that of Elaine Golden in her previous post: unlikely character and character development; slow if not tedious plot and length with strange wrap up; and awful writing in many places. I also find the take on S&M coming from mommy issues a very predictable, well-worn and unproductive avenue, hampering fresh insight and character development.

Personally, I have learned, again, how important it is to write to your own highest standards and from the place of passion and conviction, both for satisfaction and solid results. I've gone back to my own tome in progress to makes sure a couple of characters are as strong and credible and complex as I want them, urged on by my displeasure at 50 Shades. Perhaps other posters have also. An eye on the market is always important, of course, and there 50 Shades is very suggestive of a market segment I didn't appreciate fully for the erotica which interests me. I'm still working to gain more insight into the readers of 50 Shades and their reactions.

Most important, 50 Shades has convinced me again and ever so much about the importance of character: rich, complex, deep, flawed or not, likeable or not, but onto matters of blasting importance to all us humans. I want my characters to hit the reader in the stomach and jaw, so they can't escape them as much as they may want to yell at them for whom and how they are. And to brand that notion within me again (I think writers need to remind themselves repeatedly of what counts), I may yet post some thinking on O of the Story of O as a contrast to the characters in 50 Shades to show myself and any curious reader just how and where O’s mind knocks us over, over and over. I quite love and hate her all at once, and find it useful to spell out to myself just how and why I do, as I’ve done as an exercise with several other characters in good literature, thinking such work improves my characters and makes me a better critic of myself. Make sense?

Just now, I’m in love with Claire of Let the Great World Spin (Colum McCann), screaming at her to get a grip, and tenderly holding her in my mind’s eye at the same time, then letting her go and praising her for how she makes her way before the death of her son. O hell, if you haven’t read it, a chapter on her stands alone like a poem, so just pick it up next time in the book store and read the chapter Miro, Miro on the Wall. If the writing and characterization there are not lessons to us all, I don’t know what can be (well, there’s always Molly Bloom to pile the lessons on the lessons).

It seems I may blab on a bit in odd directions when asked what I think...

I never heard of 50 Shades until this thread. I had to do a look up on it, and ended up at the Wikipedia page. While I do spend a lot of time on fan fiction websites, I don't do Twilight, so all this is news to me.

I would be interested in reading it just for the sake of knowing what the fuss was about. And also, like Another, I would want to see how the topic of BDSM is approached and see what NOT to do in my own stories of a similar topic. Sometimes, reading poorly written stories can help you strengthen yours as you see what you shouldn't be doing.

Sadly, I would consider watching the movie if Ian Somerhalder is indeed cast as Christian Gray =) Sorry, am a slight fan girl. =D

I loathe this book. As someone who participates in BDSM, I found the book to be horribly inaccurate. It read as a relationship that was more abusive than consensual.

She (the author) bought a Volkswagen with her royalties, as per her interview with The View this morning.

Ugh! I'm sorry, but I've never read this and don't want to. Just the thought of a recycled fanfic, shaved and un-sparkled for publication, does not appeal to me whatsoever.

c.m.n. said:

Ugh! I'm sorry, but I've never read this and don't want to. Just the thought of a recycled fanfic, shaved and un-sparkled for publication, does not appeal to me whatsoever.

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I feel the exact same way - c.m.n wrote it perfectly.

Magnas said:

I loathe this book. As someone who participates in BDSM, I found the book to be horribly inaccurate. It read as a relationship that was more abusive than consensual.

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I was actually wondering what someone who would participate in BDSM would think of this book. It's nice to hear you weigh in on the matter.

She (the author) bought a Volkswagen with her royalties

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I really would have thought an Audi.

I read the first two, started on the third and I just can't seem to make myself finish it. Very poor writing. That's all I can say.

Yep, and this is what's making such a huge splash in all the newspapers.
My local rag had a big article about it, and all I can hope is that this will introduce
more readers to better erotica. Because it's certainly out there!

Reading all the Twank chatter and other recorded internet chat sessions,
it becomes increasingly obvious that James thought herself above her Masters
of the Universe fans, knew that she could drive this lemon to a big finish line,
and was motivated primarily by financial goals. That Random House felt the same way
enough to publish all three books with as little editing as they did, says tons about RH.
And little of it good.

Now, I have a few fans in an isolated fandom, and I *treasure every single one
of them*. I'd never publish my fanfic professionally - that's crossing an ethical line.
While I support a writer's financial goals, I think writing quality has to be a big part
of being true to one's obsessions as a writer.

Filigree said:

I'd never publish my fanfic professionally - that's crossing an ethical line.

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I read an article where the Twilight fanfiction was compared to the 50 shades books and they matched 90%. I'm not a fan of Stephenie Meyer, but I would be pleased if she sued E.L. James. If I were Meyers, I would definitely go after her.

I don't know what grounds Meyer would have to sue. There's nothing remotely resembling Twilight (other than a certain creep factor) in 50 Shades.

Magnas said:

I read an article where the Twilight fanfiction was compared to the 50 shades books and they matched 90%. I'm not a fan of Stephenie Meyer, but I would be pleased if she sued E.L. James. If I were Meyers, I would definitely go after her.

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But what if the original fanfic was only 10% Twilight to begin with? It's the Philosopher's Axe.

Meyer probably won't sue, and James and Random House are probably counting on that. A suit would simply elevate James' profile even more.

I don't think she can write, and I think it will catch up to her eventually.
Let's face it, the 'Twilight' audience wasn't that sophisticated a bunch of readers to begin with, so the Masters of the Universe fans probably didn't have much else to judge by.

A pity that James will have plenty of time to earn all the millions she was daydreaming about.

Filigree said:

Meyer probably won't sue, and James and Random House are probably counting on that. A suit would simply elevate James' profile even more.

I don't think she can write, and I think it will catch up to her eventually.
Let's face it, the 'Twilight' audience wasn't that sophisticated a bunch of readers to begin with, so the Masters of the Universe fans probably didn't have much else to judge by.

A pity that James will have plenty of time to earn all the millions she was daydreaming about.

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I'm not going to claim Twilight was literature, but I did enjoy it. Liking Twilight doesn't automatically make one a sucker who will think anything is good.

Meyer gets plenty of well-deserved criticism, but I'd hate to see her lumped in with James. They are not in the same league.

Filigree said:

Meyer probably won't sue, and James and Random House are probably counting on that. A suit would simply elevate James' profile even more.

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I will say again: massive global publishing firms don't 'count on' people 'probably not suing them'. They get it in writing or they don't sign the deal.

Torgo said:

I will say again: massive global publishing firms don't 'count on' people 'probably not suing them'. They get it in writing or they don't sign the deal.

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It's not like they have to go find an attorney; they have small clusters of them lounging around just waiting for a chance to do their thing.

That's my point: Meyer is far better a writer than James. Never thought I'd say that, but it's true. Which makes me wonder if Random House actually managed to get Meyer to say in writing 'No, I will not sue.'

Are they under the same publisher? It would make sense then. I know there are quite a few authors who are vigilant about their works being used in fanfiction. Anne Rice used to despise it, but she may have changed her mind in recent years.

Magnas said:

Are they under the same publisher?

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Stephenie Meyer is with Little, Brown (Hachette Book Group) I think.
E.L. James is with Vintage Books (Random House).

The only two good things I find about James being with Random House?

It may spur new readers for the erotica genre. And the oodles of money earned by James' tomes will help support technically better but lesser-known writers.

I still don't get what Meyer could possibly sue over. It's not fan fiction anymore, even if it was once upon a time. Is she suing over the way James got her initial fan base? There's no plagiarism in the book.

Exactly, you can't sue someone for being inspired by you when the only actually similarity between the books is the presence of an alpha male and impressionable younger woman. Hardly unique. Even the sharkiest lawyer is only scary if a case could plausibly be made.