E.L. James’ ‘Shades of Grey: Inner Goddess’: A writer’s journal

E.L. James’ “Fifty Shades of Grey” is a runaway bestseller, a titillating tale of love, sex and bondage, and an inspiration to women around the world. Although James’ publisher, Vintage, has steered clear of the fur-lined-handcuff business, it can reach out to her readers in other ways.

Lo, “Shades of Grey: Inner Goddess (A Journal),” announced Monday. “Shades of Grey: Inner Goddess” is to be published May 1 and is a writer’s journal, seeded with quotes and inspiration from James’ trilogy. Some of the pages are salacious red.

“Shades of Grey: Inner Goddess” includes a foreword penned by James, excerpts from her novels, here writing playlist and illustrations.

Vintage writes, “Developed as a creative collaboration between E.L. James and her U.S. publisher, the bonded-leather soft cover journal will offer readers and aspiring writers a place where they can record their innermost thoughts.”

Late last month at a Vanity Fair Oscar party, James said she herself planned to write a less intimate book next time around. “It won’t be nearly so raunchy -- and I will probably write it under another name,” she said.

James, who used to write for British television, is involved with the planned “Fifty Shades of Grey” film, which is to be produced by Focus Features and Universal. Fans are still wondering who might play shy co-ed Anastasia Steele and her billionaire lover Christian Grey.

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