One of the funniest shouts outs to Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James ever!
Audiobook + Fifty Shades of Grey = Wet
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Tag Archives: Fifty Shades of Grey
Gabriel’s Redemption Cover Reveal Plus Q and A With Sylvain Reynard
*puts finger to lips* Shhhhhh. Don’t tell Fifty, but today’s post is about our other book boyfriend – Professor Gabriel O. Emerson.
Fifty Shades of Grey
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am indebted to the following people for their help and support:
…..
To SR, thank you for all the helpful advice from the start and for going first.
For those of you who don’t know, SR is the one and only Sylvain Reynard…friend and confidante of E L James, former Twilight fanfiction writer (The University of Edward Masen [UoEM]), and bestselling author of Gabriel’s Inferno and Gabriel’s Rapture.
Gabriel’s Inferno and Gabriel’s Rapture left old fans and new fans alike wanting to read more about the beloved main characters, Gabriel and his Julianne. SR’s response?
Summary:
“Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he’s confident that they can face any challenge. And he’s eager to become a father.
But Julianne’s graduate program threatens Gabriel’s plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront her about the subject of her presentation – research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel’s darkest secrets.
In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.”
The final installment of what is now known as Gabriel’s Trilogy will make its debut on December 3, 2013. You can pre-order via Amazon (print and ebook) here.
We asked SR to take part in a game we played with Ms. James (here), offering him six ‘Would you rather . . .’ questions. Of course we had to throw in our 50 cents. ;)
1. Fun night out at a Maple Leafs game or classic rock concert? I’m a Habs fan so it would have to be the concert. The Leafs…. (shakes head).
*We wonder how many times SR has seen The Police in concert…
2. Buy a lady jewelry or shoes? Jewelry. Definitely. Although I can admire footwear as much as the next person, provided the next person is not the Professor.
*We’re of the opinion that one can never go wrong with gemstones.
3. Fancy yourself more like Indiana Jones or Hans Solo? Indiana Jones. He has the better sense of style – specifically, glasses and argyle socks.
*Ah, yes, we see the resemblance! Hmmm…inspiration comes in many forms.
4. Ballroom dancing or slow dancing at home? Slow dancing at home, clothing optional.
*Oh my!
5. Tropical island paradise or quiet lake house retreat? Quiet lake house retreat in a remote location untouched by civilization, but with indoor plumbing, air conditioning, and wireless so I can stay in touch with readers. Oh, and a self-catering, fully stocked bar. Let me know when I can pick up the keys. Thank you.
*We can accommodate you here in the US and provide you with fresh-baked cupcakes! Please have your passport ready!
6. Kid at heart or Wise beyond your years? Depends on the day or my proximity to the Thinkgeek website.
*Just when we were thinking Indiana Jones may have inspired SR when he created The Professor’s choice in bow ties… Now we are left wondering if it was really Doctor Who’s influence.
photo courtesy: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ec8a/
To keep track of SR and his argyle socks, click on the links: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads
Thanks to SR and SR’s publicist Enn Bocci (@ennbocci) for letting us be a part of the cover reveal for Gabriel’s Redemption!
If you’re a fan of The Professor, like us, then go check out the six ‘Would you rather…’ questions with The Professor here.
Vote for E L James in TIME 100 Poll
TIME wants you to “vote for the leaders, artists, innovators, icons and heroes that you think are the most influential people in the world.”
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP / GETTY IMAGES
Needless to say, we think the author who wrote the epic love story that redefined the publishing industry falls into all of those categories :)
To vote in the poll, go here. Voting ends on Friday, April 12th, and the editors’ final selections will be announced on Thursday, April 18th.
Fifty Shades Phenomenon Continues With Phenomenal Sales
It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that combined sales (print, audio, digital) for the English, German, and Spanish versions of the trilogy is over $70 million — a figure reached in less than a year (March-December 2012).
According to Bertelsmann, the German media company that owns the trilogy’s publisher Random House, Fifty Shades is “the fastest-selling series in the company’s history.”
“It’s a gigantic number,” said Wall Street Journal reporter Jeffrey Trachtenberg. “It’s the kind of series that every publisher dreams of having.” He goes on to wonder why these three books in particular broke out, answering that “People really don’t know.”
We think he’s just asking the wrong people ;) E L James wrote an epic love story that took the Twilight fanfiction world by storm. That loyal fanbase supported her when she self-published and continued to support her when the story went mainstream, a voice that helped introduce the characters to a whole new audience. Critics can say what they will about the books, but millions of fans can’t be are not wrong.
Source: Wall Street Journal Speakeasy
E L James Dominates 2012 Digital Book Sales
This comes as no surprise, but the numbers are still impressive.
15 Million+ for All Three
*Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One. E.L. James. Vintage
*Fifty Shades Darker: Book Two. E.L. James. Vintage
*Fifty Shades Freed: Book Three. E.L. James. Vintage
850,000+
*Fifty Shades Trilogy Bundle. E.L. James. Vintage
The margin between ebook sales and print sales isn’t very wide for some titles, and 2013 looks to narrow that margin even further.
However, print sales for the Fifty Shades books is roughly double their electronic counterpart. We think that has everything to do with the author’s loyal fans, her successful book tour, and her humorous accessibility on twitter (@E_L_James).
Way to go E L James, and way to go FSoG fans!
Source: Publishers Weekly
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY: Inner Goddess (A Journal)
“I have always maintained that the best person to write for is yourself–and what better place to start than in a journal.” -E L James
Vintage Books announced today that fans will soon be able to add a journal inspired by the bestselling Fifty Shades trilogy to their collection.
Please note that this is NOT a new novel or a ‘how-to’ guide. It is, however, a creative collaboration between the author and her U.S. publisher that will offer readers and aspiring writers a place to record their innermost thoughts.
Journal includes:
- Foreword written by E L James
- Excerpts from her books
- Writing tips based on the author’s own writing experience
- Playlist of music that inspired her own writing and running song counts
Journal features:
- Foil-embossed, bonded-leather cover
- Red-ribbon marker
- Color printing, endpapers, and illustrations throughout
- Lined pages for writing (divided into sections inspired by her protagonists, Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey)
“As E L James traveled and met with readers, there was a great curiosity about how she got started writing,” said Vintage/Anchor’s Anne Messitte, the acquiring publisher of the Fifty Shades series. “Her personal story is inspirational to many women, and journaling was an important part of her writing process.”
The 192-page journal designed by Chin-Yee Lai will go on sale May 1, 2013. Priced at just $16.99 (U.S. $), it would make a great Mother’s Day Gift!
Vintage Books is an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, which is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, the international media company.
Source: Official Press Release from Random House
Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection Launching in U.S.
Lovehoney announced in a press release today (here) that the top-selling UK line will be available for sale in North America starting on April 8th.
As we mentioned back in October (here), this is the only officially licensed pleasure product line for the Fifty Shades of Grey trademarked franchise. E L James worked closely with the company to ensure that fans would be able to purchase high-quality products inspired by the trilogy.
“I’m delighted to see the authentic Fifty Shades of Grey Official Pleasure Collection finally available in the USA, the home of Ana and Christian,” says E L James. “Americans were the first to succumb to the intensity of their passionate romance, and every item in this luxurious official collection has been specially chosen by me to help fans of the trilogy enjoy the Fifty Shades experience on a whole new level.”
Distributors have yet to be named, but we will keep you updated as soon as that information is made available.
All images courtesy of Lovehoney.
Team Fifty Progress Report
Delayed gratification — Resisting a smaller but more immediate reward in order to receive a larger or more enduring reward later.
While progress seems slow to anxious FSoG fans, there is progress nonetheless.
- Producers Dana Brunetti and Michael DeLuca recently met with FSoG screenwriter Kelly Marcel.
Lunch with a couple of friends
@MichaelDe_Luca &@MissMarcelpic.twitter.com/RnZXI5re
Dana Brunetti 
- Yesterday, The Hollywood Reporter released a Q&A with Universal Chairman Adam Fogelson, the movie studio bringing the books to the big screen. To read the complete article, which includes a possible summer 2014 release of the first installment of the Fifty Shades trilogy, go here.
Q&A: Universal Chairman Wants ‘Fifty Shades’ for Summer 2014, More ‘Bourne’ and ‘Van Helsing’ Reboot http://shar.es/YMpYI
Hollywood Reporter Retweeted by E L James-
No. We’re involved in a different project [the World War II drama Unbroken] with her. But we have had really, really interesting, great conversations with talented, serious filmmakers.
Let’s face it. We’re talking about Fifty here. Would we really want anything less than large and enduring? *raises glass* Here’s to delayed gratification ;)
Hardcover Collector’s Edition of Fifty Shades Trilogy Being Released in U.S.
Time to start dropping hints to your significant other! The hardcovers will be available just in time for Valentine’s Day ;)
From USA Today:
On Jan. 29, Doubleday will release 200,000 copies of Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed in hardback for $26.95 each. There also will be a shrink-wrapped set of the three books for $80.85.
Why the new format? “As interest in the Fifty Shades trilogy has grown, readers have been asking for hardcover editions of the books,” says James’ publisher Anne Messitte in an e-mail. “These new hardcovers include unique production elements, making them the ultimate collector’s editions for readers of the trilogy.”
Photo: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
We think the jacket covers are beautiful and love the special bonus features:
- red silk ribbon attached for use as bookmark
- author’s signature, “Laters Baby, E.L. James X,” embossed in silver
As all good fans know, there’s just something exciting about being able to add to your collection!
***UPDATE***
The hardcovers are now available for preorder on Amazon. Go here.
Fifty Shades of Grey Ratings Rumors
If this journey has taught us anything, it’s that the media loves to put a spin on things. They know that the FSoG fandom is hungry for information and what it takes to push our buttons.
We’re as excited as you are to hear about Team Fifty’s progress, so when online articles started to surface about interviews with Kelly Marcell, the screenwriter for the project, we eagerly clicked away and started reading. However, after reading, we went with our gut and decided this was another case of the media putting a spin on her words and waited before posting anything here. We’re glad we did.
Kelly Marcel took to Twitter to denounce using the word “raunchy” when talking about the FSoG script as well the NC-17 rating. (To read more about MPAA movie ratings, go here.)
Michele @allimar17 @fiftyshadesfilm supposedly Kelly marcel used the word in the interview. Only going on what I read.
Allison @bale4fifty @FiftyShadesFilm If @MissMarcel used ‘raunchy’ not the classiest of words. I’d prefer for the film to be tasteful.. Thoughts?
Kelly Marcel @allimar17 @bale4fifty @FiftyShadesFilm not a word I used.
To be absolutely clear I NEVER said what the film would be rated. Only the ratings board can decide what the rating will be.
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The age of Twitter has given us a vehicle of direct contact with Team Fifty. We are lucky that they are willing to respond to fans, allowing us to wisely use it for validation before buying into the media hype.
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In addition to Team Fifty Twitter accounts (@E_L_James, @MichaelDe_Luca, @DanaBrunetti, and @MissMarcell), other great resources are @fiftyshadesUK (Fifty Shades Trilogy UK website), the author’s official website, and the new Fifty Shades Of Grey The Movie Facebook page [see sidebar for links]).
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As the author has told us, this is an extremely slow process. With an unprecedented amount of buzz surrounding the movie adaptation, it’s understandable that fans are eager for things to get moving. However, we believe it’s a good thing that Team Fifty is taking their time. Christian and Ana’s epic love story deserves to be told right. We have complete faith that it will be worth the wait, so hang in there!
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(A/N: THR also did a nice job covering the rumors, an article which the author supports. In it, co-producer Dana Brunetti reiterates, ”The script isn’t even written yet, so how could we know how [the MPAA's Classification and] Ratings Board will rate it?” Read more here.)
