Twitter reckons EL James has got some ‘splainin’ to do.
Tweeting types were rubbing their hands together with glee when it was announced that the author of execrable erotic novel-turned-film 50 Shades of Grey would participate in a Twitter Q&A with fans.
Her PR team should have told EL James, 51, that this was a terrible, very bad, no good idea.
But they did not, and the resulting questions – about ideas around consent, domestic abuse, racism, homophobia and James’ literacy skills – may prove difficult to answer.
James is the author of the 50 Shades trilogy, which have sold an insane 70 million copies worldwide. The film version stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan and despite poor reviews is the fourth-highest grossing film of 2015 so far.
James’ writing career began with fan fiction, which she authored under the nom de plume Snowqueen’s Icedragon. It was fan fic of teen Twilight novels by Stephanie Meyer that eventually turned into 50 Shades of Grey.
Her own Wikipedia page describes her as an “author”. Not an author, an “author”.
There are so many it’s impossible to pick a favourite!
The questions have been pouring in under the hashtag #askELJames, but James has yet to respond. The Q&A officially starts at 6pm, Northern time.
The firing of her PR team is likely to begin shortly after that.
More on the 50 Shades phenomenon?
The dominatrix verdict: Is 50 Shades of Grey what bondage is really like?
We read “Grey”, the “50 Shades” sequel, so you don’t have to (you’re welcome).
11 things with more sex appeal than 50 Shades’ Christian Grey.