What has 16,000 reader reviews on Goodreads, 100,000 e-book sales, and is No. 1 on the New York Times e-book fiction best-seller list for sales in the week ending March 3? This is all everyone is talking about.
And I've been advised by some critters to tone down the sex a bit. Now I want to put every erotic detail back in. Sex sells. Big and simple.
Their bottom line in the review: "Our consensus: the book is pretty ridiculous — for every lashing there's an "OMG!" — but if it's making more women feel comfortable discussing their sexuality, we're all for it."
At a time when women's sexualty and reproductive health are under attack, I can't disagree with that.
12 comments:
Well, I looked at the excerpts, and they were hilarious, but not especially erotic ( my opinion). She may be making shedloads of money, but sadly, I don't think I could either read or write it!
It definitely would be something to become an overnight sensation, wouldn't it? If I thought sex would do it, I'd put more in my book. If I thought less sex would do it, I'd take out what little sex there is.
In other words, I'm easy. I suppose Rush Limbaugh wouldn't approve.
Frances,
As they say, this is a pretty subjective business! Personally, I liked your excerpt better!
Steven,
It would be a scream. At that point I guess whatever my editor/agent thought I should do I'd probably do it!
Yvonne...?
PG-13!!!
hehehehehe...
PG-13? Who? You? I prefer R myself:)
Hmmm - maybe I need to look at my ms again... :)
Personally I don't care for erotica and these excerpts failed miserably in winning me over. The language is elementary and scenes laughable. Now some of Shakespeare's comedies are raunchy, full of sexual double-entendres and wickedly entertaining. Methinks the bar is set quite low for what is considered good reading. No thanks, I won't be getting on that craze wagon...
To each his own! Hey, if 100K people want to read it, that's fine by me. I think it's fascinating that it started as fanfic and became its own thing.
G-Man,
Oh, I'm dense. And always underestimate you!
Jemi,
I know what you mean. I don't think I could ever write like that. But it would be kinda fun....under someone else's name!
Rebecca,
Well, sure, the bar is barely above ground. No Shakespeares nowadways, except for my readers!
Lydia
That is kinda interesting isn't it? I was in the bookstore at the airport yesterday and a young woman behind me asked the saleslady if they had Fifty Shades of Grey. I don't think the clerk had even heard of it! The think the woman wanted some fun reading for the flight. It would be perfect for that, something to take your mind off the fat man beside you and all the air pockets.
Not really my kind of read . . . though with all those sales, it is a little interesting to think what might happen if writers tried putting it into more of their books. :P
To be fair, I felt that the sexual elements to your book were intimate and tender, not exhibitionist.
To compare what you're doing with Twilight fan fiction is hardly fair to you.
Eagle,
Me neither. I went through a stage where I was reading some smutty stuff a long time ago, as a way of making up for my Catholic upbringing, I suppose. Thanks for commenting.
Ethan,
Thank you so much. As one who has read my whole manuscript, I value your comment. I actually despised the whole Twilight thing. And this fanfic stuff....well, I guess the money being made clouded my thinking. I truly would never want to compare myself to this.
Thank you again for the uplifting words.
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