Book Reviews
IR Staff •
Jul 06, 2012 
Let’s pause just a moment in our summer festivities to soak up the latest news from Variety.
It appears that it’s not just the Big 6 publishers who are falling all over themselves for the hot, used-to-be-indie erotica titles. Various movie studios are joining the fray, as well. According to the article, “The dozens of producers who lost out in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” derby have plenty of opportunity to jump into the surging “mommy porn” genre, as the erotic e-book sensation has thrust similar titles up the bestseller charts — and onto Hollywood’s acquisitions radar.”
It appears that indie books have become the new farm team. Just like Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling rose from the ranks of the Mickey Mouse Club, so the authors of “50 Shades”, “On the Island”, et al began their writing careers as self-pubbed indies.
The irony is that, in some ways, these steamy fictional tales follow the same trajectory as real-life. Authors ignored and humiliated by agents and trad publishers have ended up being the in-control “Masters of the Universe” (also known as the original title of “50 Shades”).
But all you smart indie readers already knew that, didn’t you?
The term “mommy porn” is amusing for many reasons. Only those who have never read romance novels would think of Fifty Shades as cutting edge in any way. I found it very tame, even compared with women’s romantic fiction of medium-grade hotness. Anna Campbell, Tiffany Clare, Sherry Thomas… all are mainstream authors of historical romance with content every bit as hot as 50 Shades. They all specialize in tortured leads a la Christian Gray. The difference? Fifty Shades was fortunate to enjoy that elusive alchemy — viral buzz — presumably because of the spanking shenanigans and perhaps because it was indie and therefore a curiosity.
Does anyone remember the piratical bodice rippers of the 80s? They were rapetastic (back then they called it “forced seduction”). Tons of abductions, spankings (Forever Whitney by Judith McNaught, a great book) and violent sex (Innocent Fire by Brenda Joyce, a lousy book). There were countless S&M tomes before Fifty, better written, sexier. I’m not envious of her stratospheric success (well, maybe just a little). It makes me happy to see anyone succeed at that level. It raises my hopes than I, too, may one day hit the lottery one day.
Kate Worth
Author of The Promise, an indie romance (sorry, no handcuffs)
Now if only this would happen with the Fantasy genre more often
Good point, but “50 Shades” and “On the Island” aren’t even in the same category. I actually get why “On the Island” became a bestseller (because it was well-written and had a compelling plot?”)