FIFTY
SHADES OF “ROCKSTAR” LOVE FOR E.L JAMES IN LONDON
AN
EVENING WITH E.L JAMES AUTHOR OF 50 SHADES OF GREY ORGANISED BY EMERALD STREET
(STYLIST MAGAZINE)
Hosted
by Anna Fielding, Editor, Emerald Street Full Programme at end of
article
I
must admit I have not been this excited for a long time. While I have not read
any of the “50 Shades” books, it is necessary as a talent scout to follow
trends and pop culture. Last week I caught an article in the paper that E.L
James had signed a movie deal with Focus Features and Universal Pictures. That deepened
my curiosity and I knew I needed to find out more about this new phenomena. I
read all the reviews I could find online and discussions on TV including today
on This Morning with the infamous Samantha Bricks (Daily Mail).
What I can say
having heard EL James speak tonight, is that I am in complete awe of the woman.
She is intelligent, confident, witty, knowledgeable, worldly, diplomatic and
very funny. She was also a very humble and appreciative person, who was very
grateful to her fans and also very kind and diplomatic to those that did not
like her book. One such audience member who was from what she referred to as
the “Kinky” community (BDSM) who criticised her book, but EL James was gracious
enough to defer a question back to her on erotica events in the UK. Giving the
audience member a chance to promote her erotica company and events.
The Event
I
arrived at 5.45 pm at Savoy place (Embankment) very tired from a very long
train ride after a hospital appointment hoping someone had received my email
asking for a disabled seat. I met a very helpful lady from Stylist who got me
to the front of the line. I picked up my complimentary copy of 50 Shades of
Grey with a post it of my name for EL James to sign speedily at the end.
I
was then led into a 450 capacity auditorium where there were already 200 over
excited ladies waiting for the evening discussion to begin. It later filled to
capacity with about four very brave men attending too.
Emerald
Street Editor, Anna Fielding came first to the stage to introduce the magazine
and author, herself donning a short sexy black leather skirt in homage to Fifty
Shades of Grey.
Finally
EL James comes on to the stage to an ecstatic reception and takes her place
next to the lovely Ms Fielding. Anna Fielding gives a summary of the success of
the 50 Shades phenomena so far.
Fifty Shades of Grey has
topped best-seller lists not just in the United Kingdom but around the world.
The series has sold around ten million copies worldwide, with book rights
having been sold in 37 countries, and set the record in the UK as the
fastest-selling paperback of all time surpassing the Harry Potter
series.
{Huge applause ensues and
EL James is very gracious}
E.L
James gave us her background as a busy TV producer, fan fiction writer, wife
and mother. That she had started writing the Twilight fan fiction as die hard
fan and she just did it for the enjoyment. She was shocked by the success and
was still pinching herself but was having the most fun she had ever had. She
was very witty and I my favourite part of the evening were her witty stories
since the success of 50 Shades of Grey. I share a few of my favourites.
Story 1
When
on a plane travelling to America E.L James got excited when she sat next to a
woman reading 50 Shades of Grey. Having not been recognised EL James asked the
passenger if she liked the book. She responded “It’s alright”. EL James then revealed she was
the author and the woman got excited and said the book was fantastic! It turned
out the woman worked for the airline so EL James and her entourage got pampered
including getting lots of champagne.
Story 2
The
location she chose for the book was the most upscale place she could find in
the area of America where the book is based. At the time of writing the book
the place had not finished building work. Now fans go the place and take
pictures and tweet them to EL James. The place has not become well known.
{Editor
Anna Fielding adds an amusing quip that the developers should give EL Fielding
a free condo for the promotion she has done for the place}
Story 3
When
EL James was writing a sex scene in the Audi, she called an audi dealership to
check if there was room to have sex in it. She did introduce herself and
explain why she was curious. The car salesman said that you could not have sex
in the car. However EL James felt compelled to check herself. She went to the
dealership and scoped the place and asked if she could sit in the Audi. Upon
seating in the Audi she believed a couple could definitely have sex in the
Audi.
Question
and Answer Session (selected audience questions)
What
has been your experience since it all took off
ELJ: My reaction was “Sh*t
what the f*ck has happened”
{which received a huge
roar of laughter and applause by the unashamed audience of admirers}
What
has been your favourite experience since becoming a success with 50 Shades?
ELJ: Travelling around the
World to places that I have never been, I have been to several places in the
USA including Hollywood. I will soon be travelling to Spain and Italy.
You
developed the 50 Shades trilogy from Twilight fan fiction, how far have you
based your characters Anastasia Steele
and Christian Gray on Bella and Edward
from Twilight?
ELJ: I am a Twi-hard and
have read over and over the Twilight series. Since 50 Shades started as Twilight
fan fiction the main characters are similar. There even similarities with the
book store owner in Twilight.
Since
a movie is being made, how much control do you have over it and are you worried
that they may not stay true to the book.
ELJ: Yes I am very
worried, but I can’t control how people will receive any interpretation of the
characters and of my book.
Who
would you want to play Christian and Anastasia? My Facebook fan page has ideas
of what actors could play them. Do you think your fans have a consensus on who they
would want to play Christian and Anastasia?
ELJ: I can’t talk about
the film unfortunately. I can say that I have four people in mind to play each
character. Also my facebook page members have sent me a very long list of
actors they would want to be in the movie including Pierce Brosnan.
{The mention of Pierce
Brosnan received a unanimous groan}
The
cover of the book is very modern and unique. What was the inspiration for the
cover.
ELJ: I had input in the
art work for the covers of my books. I wanted covers that did not allude to
erotica so people would not be ashamed to read them in public. I have
experience of reading erotica in the past where I had to fold the cover so no
one would see it out of embarrassment. However that has backfired since my book
is so well known and the cover has become iconic.
Have
your parents and children read the book
ELJ: My dad sadly passed
away. My mother has read it and when we discussed it my mother’s reaction was “why
don’t they wash their hands after sex?”
ELJ: My children are fine.
They are teenage boys who don’t read and they have their own lives with their
young friends. They do know what has happened and they are very proud of me. In
fact they have brought me copies from their friends to sign to give to teachers
are their school. Although one of my sons did catch my writing one day and
caught the word “Nipple clump” and kept saying it. It was hilarious!
I
am from the Kinky community and while I am happy that 50 Shades has brought
erotica and kinkiness to the mainstream, I felt that Christian as a damaged
character took away from the positive things about Erotica and its enthusiasts.
I was also disappointed with the ending.
ELJ: I understand why the
Kinky community would feel that way, you are entitled to your opinion. However
I wanted to create a character that was not perfect. I thought he would be more
interesting as a damaged character.
Are
you a dominant or subservient person
ELJ: A bit of both
You
said you believe in doing a lot of research. Was the research for this book
first hand or secondary research {rapturous laughter ensues}
ELJ: A bit of both,
primary and secondary research.
Many
women have enjoyed your books and felt liberated by them. What is men’s
reaction to your book.
ELJ: I feel very
embarrassed talking about the book in front of men, I am surprised that men
want to read it. I am surprised that there are a few men here tonite. I was
cringing when I had a meeting with Hollywood executives when I had to discuss
my fantasies. I was cringing the whole time.
What
do you think of the term given to your book as “Mummy Porn”. I am young and I get
weird looks when they see me reading it and say “but that’s mummy porn”.
ELJ: I can’t control what various
publishers or media houses chose to interpret a book and it’s market. I do feel
it is a quick and lazy attribution to something based on how people want to
interpret something to sell papers. My books are for every age, I have fans who
are quite young, mothers and even women in their 70s. There is even a wide
range of people attending this event.
What
do you think of the reaction you have had, the comments and reviews?
ELJ: I stopped reading
anything about me two months ago, and that includes my reviews whether positive
or negative.
The
evening ended with a book signing and a bit of chat with EL James. I was
delighted that she took the time to chat with me and tell me I had a beautiful
name. I loved every bit of this evening!
Programme
17:30
– Doors Open
18.00
– Lecture Theatre opens
18:30
– Discussion with EL James hosted by Anna Fielding, Editor, Emerald Street
19:00
– Audience Q & A
20:00
– Book signing
21:00
– End of event
© 2012 Photos and article by London Guru (part of Talent Guru)
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of London Guru (part of Talent Guru).
