If you think 40 million readers can’t be wrong, think again. On Monday, Publishers Weekly named 50 Shades of Grey author E.L. James as the magazine’s “Person of the Year.” That award was not an award for the book, though it surely sounded like that to many critics who have lambasted PW for the choice.
“We chose E.L. James because her success has inspired a new generation of authors, and influenced the way publishers now look for new writers,” Andrew Albanese, PW’s senior writer, tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “You can argue the book’s literary merits, but what we at PW want you to look at is the wave of new writers now pouring in behind James, and their potential to really shake up literature.”
And in the week’s review of reviews, Rose Fox finds Touch & Go, a thriller set in Boston with a plot seemingly stolen from the front page of the city’s tabloid. “The book opens with the brutally efficient kidnapping of the Denbe family from their Back Bay Boston townhouse,” Fox says. “Lisa Gardner effectively alternates between the physical and emotional disintegration of the captive family and the efforts of law enforcement officials to find the Denbes as they dig into the secrets of the family construction company, its key employees, and its finances.”
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Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.
I’ve had said on several occasions and in different forums that I am in no way seeing how Fifty Shades is making such a large impact on erotic fiction. As a published author of erotic fiction myself, one who has to struggle to get her voice heard, Fifty Shades has done nothing to make the struggle easier.
I’m aware it’s not about the book. I have nothing against the book or the author. But what disturbs me is that many of the comments I have seen are of an opinion that Fifty Shades is a bad book, but that should be expected because all erotic fiction is bad. Or people love Fifty Shades but are showing no interest in other examples of erotic fiction.
My sales are decent but there had been no big boon. I have seen nothing about people showing interest in other works of erotic fiction. Where are the publishers who are stating we’re now accepting erotic fiction? Where are the movie deals for us?
I have written an article which gives more in-depth explanation of the point of my opinion. I welcome you to read it and comment on it. One thing I have been saying and will continue to say is my work is excellent. I am a damn fine author and I love what I do. My fiction is my own, not re-constituted fan-fiction. I strive to present works with an engaging plot, character development, world-building and an overall story-line that I know my readers will enjoy. It is what they deserve.
I have to say that I find the obsession with this book really disturbing. I am a huge fan of erotic fiction, particularly books with a BDSM focus. When compared to the work of authors such as Joey W. Hill and Cherise Sinclair (and many others), Fifty Shades of Grey is a pretty poor example.
It’s badly written, with characters shallow and poorly realised, not at all erotic, and it’s history as pulled to publish fan fiction gives it and its author dubious credibility at best.
I love erotic fiction, it is highly enjoyable, but if you’re going to read it, at least read something worth your time.
this is just a book, fiction all the way…why are you people so ignorant is assuming what could or should be in regards to this lifestyle..it is just a book people, that takes your mind to another place. This book appeals to people that thinks it is just fun to read and enjoy the story. Stop ripping this book apart.
50 shades of gray is the worst book on erotica or anything.If you want some excitement in your sex life, there are thousand of material and sites available, i m sure they are much better in terms of content and value for money than this bull-shit thing.
And to top it all, people are giving un-necessary publicity and recognition to the author.Sorry state of literature.