Back when I first started recapping the 50 Shades series, I received a lot of helpful suggestions about my career and life in general from people who took issue with my criticism of the novel they so enjoyed. Some of these suggestions were:
- I should concentrate on my own writing, rather than picking apart someone else's.
- I should promote what I love instead of bashing what I hate.
- I should try writing a book sometime, if I think I'm so great.
- I should kill myself.
This got me thinking, readers. As much as I hate the already trite internet platitude of promote what you love, etc., I might be able to do some good with my anger at the current state of affairs vis-a-vis the book buying public desperately shoving money at anything that will reinforce their internalized misogyny.
Years ago, I did an interview with The Hathor Legacy in which I said that I didn't think it was possible to write a feminist romance novel. At the time, I really didn't think it would be possible. Then 50 Shades of Grey and all of its weird little copycat stories came along, and lo, I realized that it would be entirely possible to write a feminist romance novel. And I could do it in the exciting new genre that Cyndy at Brazen Reads called " "unrealistic erotica involving little research and even less editing". All I have to do is the exact opposite of everything in those books.
So, I'm very pleased to announce that beginning January 15th, 2013, my very first self-published novel, The Boss, will begin appearing in serialized installments on this very blog. This book will be free, chapter by chapter, with a new installment releasing every fifteen days.
Why am I doing this? For a number of reasons. The first being that I'm really not a negative or cynical person. Shut up, I am not. You don't know me. Seriously, though, I really do feel like I could slide into Rush Limbaugh-scale sarcastidickery if I continue on this path, and frankly I don't have the money for a prescription pill addiction. Since so many people have admonished me to promote what I love, rather than bash something I hate (ugh with the Pollyanna bullshit already), I can't help but feel that's the right thing to do. And what better way to promote erotic romance as a genre than by providing totally free access to a sex-positive, female-positive alternative to the naive young virgins and sadistic billionaires dominating the market?
I'll also be satisfying some of those people who advised me to concentrate on my own writing, rather than worrying about what E.L. James has written. Of course I'll be continuing the recaps, because I made a commitment to all of you, but we're nearing the end of the second book and there is only one book left in the series to recap. Which, by the way, I checked and I think it's the longest one of the whole damn series. Still, by June of 2013, the recaps will be no more, and I'll have nothing left to do but write. I don't want to start recapping something else and snarking it, because I think it would take away from our special bond, dear reader, of hating the ever living fuck out of these books. It's going to feel cheap and tawdry with any other commercial property. A serialized novel to concentrate on will hopefully keep me distracted from 50 Shades movie news.
In addition, I'll be taking the advice of all the well-meaning, but slightly unobservant people who suggested I "try" to write a book myself before criticizing. I'll also be adding just a dash more stress to my life, so all those people who wished me dead at my own hand will be able to say, "Good, I'm glad she listened to me," when I stroke out at my desk at the ripe old age of thirty-two because I'm writing too goddamned much.
But most of all, I just want to prove that you can write a romance like 50 Shades of Grey without falling into the traps that it and books like it did. I want to write characters who don't view BDSM as a symptom of a large emotional defect. I want to write a book where the heroine can submit without relinquishing total autonomy and who actually likes and can cultivate noncompetitive relationships with other women.
And I'm going to give it away for free, because I just don't see a market for a book like that.
Here, have a gander at the cover and blurb:
Here, have a gander at the cover and blurb:
Sophie Scaife almost ran away once, trading her ticket to college for a ticket to Tokyo. But a delayed flight and one incredibly hot night with a stranger changed her mind, putting her firmly on track to a degree and a career at a New York fashion magazine.
Six years later, she’s shocked to find that irresistible stranger is now her boss, billionaire Neil Elwood. And Sophie can’t stop thinking about their one amazing night.
But Neil has eccentric tastes, and he wants to be sure Sophie can handle them. Sophie will have to prove she’s his match both at work and at play, and surrender to her Master’s every erotic whim.
Torn between their professional duties and their sensual desires, Sophie and Neil embark on a journey into their darkest sexual fantasies. But when Sophie gets the chance of a lifetime, will she follow her dreams, or her heart?
There will be more news to come as we get closer to roll out, so stay tuned, and come on back tomorrow for the recap, hear?
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ReplyDeleteAAAAGGGHHHH THIS IS FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!
ReplyDelete(Sorry for the shouty-caps, but really, I cannot wait.)
I found you via the 50 Shades recaps, and fell in love with your smart, funny writing. I bought American Vampire and LOVED it, reading it at a mad pace over two days of eyestrain, and I have a list of which books I want to buy next. Plus I was lucky enough to get your baseball trilogy in your giveaway.
I know you took a lot of flack for spending so much time recapping these books, but I'm glad you've found a way to take those criticisms and turn them into something great. Congrats!
BEST. IDEA. EVER.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, and you, and this idea. Seriously. I love your writing and your sense of humour and this is just thrilling news and stuff to look forward to that isn't tears and whimpering from reading those fucking books. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. On an epic level.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to promote what you love, and I do look forward to your installments. However, 50 Shades deserves what you're doing. It deserves worse, but this will do. I think it's a moral imperative for anyone who loves literature and appreciates the art of GOOD writing to bash this book often and publicly.
ReplyDeleteIf I thought you were pointlessly ripping someone's honest attempt at writing a novel apart, I would be with the "sheesh get a life crowd". I think it's very possible that you've reached a few people through these recaps though, and caused them to really challenge the attitude they and the rest of society have towards women and sexuality. I think writing a book where a woman is a submissive in a bdsm sense, but not a life sense, will really help people see the difference between abuse and bdsm funtimes. Excited to read it!
ReplyDelete^^ by the way I wasn't saying 50 shades was an honest attempt at a novel. Obviously.
ReplyDeleteSQUEAL! This is going to be awesome! Dude, good things have totally come from those excuses for books, which I hate even though I'll willingly admit that I never read any of them. I thought about it, since everyone else had, but dammit, Law & Order fanfiction was just so much better... even when at the end of a chapter the author said something like "I hope the next chapter will be up soon but I have to study for my AP US Government exam so it could be a while", causing me to realize that the person who actually wrote the smut I was just reading is sixteen. Still better than 50 shades. Probably more sexual experience for the author too. You know, kids these days. Dammit, it's your fault that picture of Chris Hansen pops into my head every time kids and sex get too close together in a sentence. And you know what causes kids? Right. So I've been seeing a lot of Chris Hansen. But I digress. AWESOME. I am super excited to read your new book, even though, to be honest, I've never read your work before, a friend linking me to these recaps is what introduced us, but I have to say I find your sense of humor... AWESOME (wait, did I use that word in this sentence already?) and, yeah, I'm super excited. Also, I laughed out loud when you included, at the end of that list of things people suggested (which was for the most part serious and predictable), a casual "kill yourself". LOL. Funny how many times I've seen the aforementioned advice leveled at 50 Shades fans... it seems you can't win with any opinion. I'm starting to think there's a Jim Jones-like character running around out there just advising anyone with any opinion whatsoever to kill themselves. It's the thing to do, don't you know? Anyways, I ramble excessively, which is why so much editing goes into my fanfic, but sadly for you I don't offer the same kindness to my blog comments. So basically all that was just to say "yay, I'm excited, and by the way I love your take on 50 shades". But it's more fun this way so I'm leaving it. Yay!
ReplyDeleteOMG, you know what is so sad, though, is that I laugh every time I see "kill yourself" on the internet. I know I shouldn't, because I'm an adult and I know about internet bullying and the real life consequences, etc. it's just so caustic and extreme that I can't help but laugh. I saw someone on YouTube saying, "I'm so glad they're still making original movies and not stuff based off books," in the comments on the Les Miserables movie trailer, and someone had just replied, "You should kill yourself," and I loled for a good solid minute.
DeleteSeriously, suicide is soooo not funny, but somehow, "kill yourself" as an internet retort hits the black comedy goldmine for me.
Please tell me you've heard of Foamy the Squirrel.
Delete"Seriously, suicide is soooo not funny, but somehow, "kill yourself" as an internet retort hits the black comedy goldmine for me."
DeleteMe too! I love the list of helpful suggestions you received. And I'm ecstatic about your new project!
Also -- not that it's news to anyone with a brain -- but you haven't been bashing the 50 Shades books. You've been writing critique and satire, and making people like me laugh ourselves silly. Which is a bloody good thing.
"...book buying public desperately shoving money at anything that will reinforce their internalized misogyny" -- Yeesh, woman, you have a wicked way with words! :D
so. freaking. excited!!! it may mean I can't read your blog during classes anymore though. hehe
ReplyDeleteI am so very much looking forward to this!
ReplyDeleteImagine, a novel with a strong female lead. Do any of those really exist? And for someone to be strong but submissive; do I foresee a relationship that's actually based on trust and not fear? This is very exciting and I look forward to reading it and sharing it.
Thank you.
If you want to read a novel with a strong female lead(s) and don't mind fantasy then I suggest the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson and the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson.
DeleteYaaaaay! I'm so excited for this! I love reading erotica and I try and read a little of every part of it if it seems well written (that's how I found out there is something called 'breeding erotica' very... interesting?). I don't mind fantasy, but realistic BDsM that is well written seems so hard to find. It's either complete fantasy or really crappy half assed (like 50 Shades).
ReplyDeleteI don't want to put too much pressure on you, but I hope this is everything I ever wanted in a realistic BDsM story! lol
Hooray! Looking forward to the new novel. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fantastic and I am looking forward to reading both it and your remaining 50 Shades recaps :-)
ReplyDeleteI came for the recaps, I stayed for the awesome, and I am super excited to read this sexy sounding book! Props yo.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I don't read blogs in general.
DeleteBut this is no mere blog. Just a Den of Awesomeness.
PS-
Jen, I linked your "blog" (so modest, you are)on my website. I want to share you with the world.
Your comment made me think: I don't always read blogs. But when I do I read page-by-page criticism of misogynistic erotica.
DeleteGenius, Sam! LOL
DeleteAhhhh, I am so excited for this! I have been waiting for someone to write this series, but better, and I'm so happy it's going to be you. After reading your baseball series that I won in your poll, I am a fan of your writing (and will be buying more of your stuff, just for the record), and I know you'll get this right.
ReplyDeletecant wait to read "The boss"-it will be great i am 100% sure
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic news! But also terribly cruel since you are making us wait till January. I want my sex-positive erotica NOW I say! But seriously, based on your work as Abigail Barnette, I already know I will be a happy lady. Get on with your bad self!
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome! I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful news! I'm really looking forward to the book.
ReplyDeleteI think you are doing a great job, and 50 shades deserved all the criticism you dished out, if not more. I knew something was "off" when I read it, but you put it into words how the author was just being lazy, making the other characters tell me over and over how perfect these two are for each other.
ReplyDeleteCould you be any cooler? It's one thing to take criticism, another to take blatant insults, but you go and take all of that and decide to make something game-changing as a result? Because that's what your story is going to be. Just the idea of a book like that can give a little perspective to people, but you're actually doing it and it's going to be freely available! Besides the obvious enjoyment all your readers will get out of this, I do hope it makes others look at this emerging fanfic/erotica genre with fresh eyes and see it for what it really is. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to know that this will not end with recaps! Looking forward to finally reading a female-positive romance! (And all your other books once I get enough time on my hands)
ReplyDeleteNo market for bdsm erotica in which a submissive heroine doesn't relinquish her autonomy? Are you serious? Or are you just being your delightful sarcastic self?
ReplyDeleteI am so going to read that! I was hoping for the sub to be the boss but whatever I am sure it will be awesome.
ANDASDANUFASNDJASDS! *KEYSMASHKEYSMASH*
ReplyDeleteI only read m/m porn, but oh my god, am I excited for this!
Yessssssss!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely ready. I didn't know this needed to happen, but now that I know I am glad it is happening. January is going to be a great month. :D
Awesome! If anyone can write a feminist romance novel, I bet it is you. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDelete*blink blink blinks* Awesome news even if my family is semi-starring in the female role (no, I don't have any relatives named Sophie that I've heard of)!
ReplyDeleteI've never commented here before, but I approve so wholeheartedly of this that I had to chime in. Really looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteI've never actually read a romance novel before, but I am definitely going to read this one! What a great idea.
ReplyDelete(Another non-commenting reader of your awesome recaps.)
Jen, you are simply too awesome.
ReplyDeleteYesssssssssss. This sounds AMAZING! I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteI may have shouted in excitement and worried my partner somewhat... This is an amazing idea, I can't wait! *does the excited, impatient dance*
ReplyDeleteLike many others I made it here for the recaps, and have stayed because the blog is just so much fun. The online segments sound like an awesome idea, and I can't wait to read them!
ReplyDeleteThey can't come soon enough!
I just luuuuurve you! YOU are the gift that keeps on giving! I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI adore you, and I want to be you! I'm going to make it my personal mission to make sure that all of my literate girlfriends read this. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, didn't your bashing of 50 get you a spot in "50 Writers on 50 Shades of Grey"? So those that said "Try writing a book sometime" obviously didn't get the title "50 WRITERS on 50 Shades of Grey". So whatever to them!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME news on this new book. Can't wait!!! So exciting!
YAY! Can't wait for January 15th!!
ReplyDeleteWe all thank you for taking on a feminist romance novel. May your fingers and brain be prolific, and your future stroke-free. :)
ReplyDeleteSo excited I am actually giggling!
ReplyDeleteYES!!!
ReplyDeleteI so want to read this...
ReplyDeleteI'M SO AMPED!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! And then, with any luck, some publishing house will find it, and you'll make zillions of dollars, leaving EL James in the dust!
ReplyDeleteIt will also be nice to have an alternative to point 50 Shades fans to. Yay you!
THIS IS AWESOME!!
ReplyDeleteSeriously I'm clapping right now. Well, not right now, because I'm typing. But I was clapping. Yaay!
I AM GOING TO READ THE FUCK OUT OF THIS
ReplyDeleteYES! That's brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't get the people who say stuff like that - and it is quite often women saying it to other women. No-one says to Ebert "Well maybe you should just not say anything if you don't have anything nice to say" or "Why don't you make your own movie then if you're so smart?". You're just expressing your strong opinions through the medium of hilarious blog posts. Who is ANYONE to tell you that you can't express your own opinion on your own blog in any damn format you want?
I'm looking forward to your serial!
I don't really care for femenism, or erotic romances, but I might give this one a try,the excerpt sounds interesting. Ominous, even :)
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT NEWS!
ReplyDeleteYour recaps of 50 shades of crap are spectacular however you deserve a break from reading that garbage....I had to stop reading after the second book....I felt like it was making me stupider. and angrier. and quite frankly a little homicidal.
Can't wait for January!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHuh...my phone just tried to change all those Es into "redressed." Silly auto correct, I worked hard on that row!
I have a huge girl-crush on you, Jen. I am SO excited (see above) for the serialized book! BEST IDEA EVER. I may have wet myself a bit. Actually, that's a pretty popular kink, just saying.
Am I a horrible person for laughing hysterically whenever people on the internet tell other people on the internet to kill themselves?
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ReplyDeleteJust a thought as you said you don't believe there is a market for this sort of book, have you considered doing a Kickstarter for a limited print of bound copies after you release it online? If nothing else, it could serve as a modest proof of concept that feminist, kinky sex sells and get you some compensation for your hard work? Note! credit for this notion comes from the awesome boytoy who says "I would support the heck outta it!" :)
ReplyDeleteI AM SO EXCITED MY CAPS LOCK GOT STUCK.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be SO GOOD. (Although I have a daughter named Sophie, so some disassociation from the name will be necessary. ;o)
ReplyDeletePlease Jen for the love of all that is good, POST THE NEW RECAP! I don't know what to do with myself. It's the highlight of my day. Please. :(
ReplyDeleteSorry, I just saw this today and I felt compelled to share it with someone who would commiserate with how upsetting this is.
ReplyDeleteTimes magazine people's choice "person of the year" has just come out with its candidates. Alongside Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzi, E.L. James has been nominated. I really can't express how angry it makes me to see E.L. James presented as coming anywhere close to being equal to these two amazing women.
The nominees can be found here - http://www.opposingviews.com/i/entertainment/jay-z-e-l-james-among-nominees-time-s-2012-person-year-0
As a happily owned pet I have been sharing these wonderful recaps with my Domina. I will be waiting for the new installments and dutifully sharing with my Domina and hopefully will be having fun times afterwards rather than stomach pain from laughing so hard and yelling at the screen about how stupid these books are!!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I can't tell you how much I admire you for doing this. I think there are a lot of people out there who feel very frustrated about the negative impact 50 Shades of Grey, and they (we!) will be thrilled to see a book like this.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are publishing it for free, too, but I hope that after you are finished you will find a way to make it available for purchase. Speaking for myself, I would really like to support you and your writing, and I'd particularly like to see The Boss gain some attention for its success. I bet a lot of fellow lurkers on this blog feel the same! Maybe you could publish it as an e-book for sale? Then I could download it to my kindle and take it everywhere!
Seriously though -- this weekend I opened every chapter of these recaps in my browser before I left on vacation, so that I could re-read them on the bus when I didn't have internet! You are an articulate and hilarious woman. Thank you for sharing your awesomeness :)
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ReplyDeleteOh my god it's like you try to find new ways to be awesome. How do you do it?? What's your secret? How can your body contain such concentrated, kickass awesomeness???
ReplyDeleteI mean, wow, you took the kind of criticism that would totally get me down or fuming, and turned it into a chance to make a real positive impact in the world! Even if the book doesn't become as popular as 50 Shades (though I fervently hope it does), you will still have done an utterly amazing thing.
Holy shit, I am just speechless!
I am so excited!! I can't wait to read a gender positive story, with sex that would actually satisfy a living, breathing woman with, you know, a vagina rater then the magical orgasm button Anna seems to possess.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't Bella's blood 'sing' too... just sayin :p
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about this! I'll be sharing the HELL out of your Blog when this is going on, well, even more so than normal.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome.
ReplyDelete