E. L. James (London, 1963), pseudonym of Erika Mitchell, went from studying History at the University of Kent and working as a television executive to revolutionizing erotic literature with her Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. She began her literary career in fanfiction forums under the alias Snowqueens Icedragon, where she published Master of the Universe –inspired by Twilight–, which evolved into her iconic work.
Self-published in 2011 and relaunched by Vintage after its viral success, the saga (50 Shades of Grey, Darker and Freed) sold more than 165 million copies globally, translated into 50 languages and revitalizing the erotic genre. Adapted into film in 2015 (starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan), it grossed over a billion dollars. James expanded the universe with Grey (2015) and Darker, narrated from Christian Grey's perspective.
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