The next big erotic book?

[PennLady]

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/new-erotic-novel-set-to-dominate-fifty-shades-of-grey-7979051.html

An erotic novel has been called the “new Fifty Shades Of Grey” after selling more than 50,000 copies in Britain in its first week.

Bared To You has outstripped the sales figures of Brentford author EL James’s steamy work and is tipped to be the next publishing phenomenon.

It is written by Sylvia Day, a 39-year-old former linguist for US army intelligence, who paid for it to be published in April.

 

[lovecraft68]

Hopefully it doesn't become the next big thread obsession.

I'd wonder if it's better, but it would have to be.

 

[Cruel2BKind]

I hope that this new author doesn't have to lurk in EL James' shadow.

 

[lovecraft68]

I hope that this new author doesn't have to lurk in EL James' shadow.

Most likely they will for awhile, its inevitable.

I just realized(and was quite pissed) that one of the characters in my book, fortunately a minor one, was named Anastasia.

I created the group three years ago, so for three years, this woman was Anastasia to me.

Then it hit me that the name of the pathetic, naive simpering bag of bones in shades is named Anastasia.'

Anastasia has now been renamed and it ticks me off because the new name sounds wrong to me, because its not who I created her to be.

But on the other hand I would drive an ice pick through my ear before I would ever hear someone say "Oh, he got that from Shades!"

Fuck you Anastasia, and fuck you E.L James.

I'm coming for you on August first.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Hopefully it doesn't become the next big thread obsession.

That would depend on if you decide you hate it, Mr. obsessive.

 

[lovecraft68]

That would depend on if you decide you hate it, Mr. obsessive.

I think I would inherently like anything that could put a dent in Shades.

I like the fact this woman is an indy author and am already rooting for her because of that.

Also like that this does not appear to be fanfic, but is rather an honest attempt at an original work.

What's not to like?

 

[PennLady]

Anastasia has now been renamed and it ticks me off because the new name sounds wrong to me, because its not who I created her to be.

But on the other hand I would drive an ice pick through my ear before I would ever hear someone say "Oh, he got that from Shades!"

Fuck you Anastasia, and fuck you E.L James.

But you're the one that caved, and for no reason.

Honestly, when I hear or read the name "Anastasia," the first thing that comes to my mind is the former Russian princess. Not to mention, I find it a little insulting that you think your readers would automatically jump to that conclusion. It's quite possible that they wouldn't make any link with 50 Shades at all.

You have really let this get under your skin to a ridiculous extent.

 

[estragon]

I promise neither to read the book nor to obsess over it. Would all those who promise to do likewise please post to this thread, to end all obsession?

 

[lovecraft68]

But you're the one that caved, and for no reason.

Honestly, when I hear or read the name "Anastasia," the first thing that comes to my mind is the former Russian princess. Not to mention, I find it a little insulting that you think your readers would automatically jump to that conclusion. It's quite possible that they wouldn't make any link with 50 Shades at all.

You have really let this get under your skin to a ridiculous extent.

That's who she was named after. Each character is named after a historical or mythological figure.

I always liked the name because its referenced in Sympathy for the Devil from the Stones.

As for readers jumping to conclusions? You can't spit out your front door without hearing about shades right now and this book will fall into a similar genre, I'm not insulting anyone, I think its fact.

If a vampire in a book was named Louis would you not think Anne Rice?

Trust me, there would be worse things than having something I wrote mentioned in the same breath as something that's sold 20 million+ copies. Something like "It's along the lines of, or its something like or....." fine that would be awesome.

But I would never want to hear "they copied" or "named after" or worse "Influenced by"

For all her success James has taken some flak in certain circles for being a Twilight rip off, I don;t want that flak.

Big difference to me there.

 

[PennLady]

As for readers jumping to conclusions? You can't spit out your front door without hearing about shades right now and this book will fall into a similar genre, I'm not insulting anyone, I think its fact.

If a vampire in a book was named Louis would you not think Anne Rice?

Yes, but just because characters have similar names doesn't mean people will automatically go to that as a "source." If I read a book with a vampire named Louis, then of course I'd think of Anne Rice. If I read a book/story with a person named Louis, no I would not think of her.

Look, you just have a coincidence here. If it bothers you enough -- and apparently it does -- then sure, change the name. I don't know, it just seems kind of silly to me, but then I'm not the one with the similar names in characters.

 

[lovecraft68]

Yes, but just because characters have similar names doesn't mean people will automatically go to that as a "source." If I read a book with a vampire named Louis, then of course I'd think of Anne Rice. If I read a book/story with a person named Louis, no I would not think of her.

Look, you just have a coincidence here. If it bothers you enough -- and apparently it does -- then sure, change the name. I don't know, it just seems kind of silly to me, but then I'm not the one with the similar names in characters.

You just made my point. If "Anastasia" was in a piece of regular fiction or maybe horror, the connection wouldn't be as obvious or direct.

But my book is erotica, more accurately BDSM so it will be lumped in with Shades as it is, the name would be seen as more than coincidence in that case.

Now if "Anastasia" (and I know in Shades its simply "ana" a lot of the time) was one of my "big four" the book revolves around I guess I would rest on my GP's and just let it fly, but she's really only featured in one chapter in detail then appears in the scene with all 12 members so not a lot of "face" time

The only reason I considered leaving it was that in her featured chapter "my ana" gets it handed to her in a way that would make James shit herself-and maybe take a few notes on hardcore BDSM- so that could have been amusing, but not worth it to me

As always this is my opinion and its on my own work, so I'll add that as a disclaimer.

 

[MaxSebastian]

They've totally ripped off the cover of 50 Shades.

 

[PennLady]

They've totally ripped off the cover of 50 Shades.

I couldn't tell if it was a very high-heeled shoe, or the back of a silver car with fins.

 

[bashfullyshameless]

"It is written by Sylvia Day, a 39-year-old former linguist for US army intelligence, who paid for it to be published in April."


BWAH! The main character of my "Morgan's Genie" story is a US Army intelligence linguist... which means basically nothing to anyone else, but my eyes just bugged out of my head.

 

[MaxSebastian]

A cunning one, I hope?

 

[Thefamiliar]

Most likely they will for awhile, its inevitable.

I just realized(and was quite pissed) that one of the characters in my book, fortunately a minor one, was named Anastasia.

I created the group three years ago, so for three years, this woman was Anastasia to me.

Then it hit me that the name of the pathetic, naive simpering bag of bones in shades is named Anastasia.'

Anastasia has now been renamed and it ticks me off because the new name sounds wrong to me, because its not who I created her to be.

But on the other hand I would drive an ice pick through my ear before I would ever hear someone say "Oh, he got that from Shades!"

Fuck you Anastasia, and fuck you E.L James.

I'm coming for you on August first.

Would simply shortening it to Anya work for you? I feel for you on this. The name helps create the character for me. Gives them life and personaliy.

 

[lovecraft68]

Would simply shortening it to Anya work for you? I feel for you on this. The name helps create the character for me. Gives them life and personaliy.

I thought of that, but as I mentioned each character is named from an easily recognizable historical or mythological figure. so "Anya" might work but....

As I said, if she were one of the 4 major characters I may have just left it, but she is a minor one.

It's just hard because having created her as Anastasia its hard not to keep "seeing" her as that.

 

[lovecraft68]

They've totally ripped off the cover of 50 Shades.

But seeing Shades itself is a total rip off, does it really matter?

Ironic might be the term.

 

[TxRad]

I thought of that, but as I mentioned each character is named from an easily recognizable historical or mythological figure. so "Anya" might work but....

As I said, if she were one of the 4 major characters I may have just left it, but she is a minor one.

It's just hard because having created her as Anastasia its hard not to keep "seeing" her as that.

I use certain names as a lot of my characters are based on real people and that is who the character is in my mind. Once I'm completely down with the story, I switch the names out for the ones to be used in print. That protects my real characters.

After that, unless I'm writing a second book or story, I could care less what they are called. Peter,Paul, Mary, and Ringo work just as well as anything as only I know who they really are.

 

[MaxSebastian]

But seeing Shades itself is a total rip off, does it really matter?

Ironic might be the term.

I don't have a problem with fanfic or stories being inspired by others (they all are really), it's just that when all the books on the shelf in the bookshop have that same silver and charcoal photo of a suggestive object look, it makes me groan.

I know that's the publishing industry for you, but when the blurb's telling you how amazing the story is, and the press says how incredible it is that this book became a best seller, and then the cover looks like a photocopy of 50 Shades, it takes something away from the impressiveness of the book.

I think I'll have to find a silver and gray photo of something suggestive to go on my next ebook

 

[Stella_Omega]

You'll have to talk to the marketing departments about those shitty book covers. it's very much a monkey-see-monkey-do crowd. And the authors normally have nearly zero influence regarding their covers.

 

[TxRad]

You'll have to talk to the marketing departments about those shitty book covers. it's very much a monkey-see-monkey-do crowd. And the authors normally have nearly zero influence regarding their covers.

Marketing can be over ruled but, and it's a mighty big butt, you have to have someone on the inside go to bat for you and you have to have a mighty good reason.

But seriously, by that time, you are so tired of the book, you don't care if they toss it out on the shelf bareback.

 

[lovecraft68]

Maybe I should scrap the cover I designed for my book and post a pic of the gray stilettos my wife has. Maybe throw my gray shirt on the floor under them.

 

[lovecraft68]

I don't have a problem with fanfic or stories being inspired by others (they all are really), it's just that when all the books on the shelf in the bookshop have that same silver and charcoal photo of a suggestive object look, it makes me groan.

I know that's the publishing industry for you, but when the blurb's telling you how amazing the story is, and the press says how incredible it is that this book became a best seller, and then the cover looks like a photocopy of 50 Shades, it takes something away from the impressiveness of the book.

I think I'll have to find a silver and gray photo of something suggestive to go on my next ebook

I think Shades was a "made" best seller. They told you it was good and you bought it(you being the public, not you being you)

Now this one is next.

The publishing industry is going to be come American idol. here. look at this shiny superficial person singing covers of previously written songs. Call and vote.

This book is now going to get that treatment. It's no longer going to be is it good, its going to be "can I get someone to publicly declare its a best seller so it will become one?"

 

[Cruel2BKind]

But seeing Shades itself is a total rip off, does it really matter?

Ironic might be the term.

Andromeda?
Antigone?
Aphrodite?

That's just the A's

And the Greeks