EL James

Gwyneth Paltrow Talks About Her Miscarriage | Video
Gwyneth Paltrow

Video: Gwyneth Paltrow’s Life-Threatening Miscarriage, Emma Watson Says No to Fifty Shades of Grey Movie, and More!

In today’s headlines from Los Angeles, Gwyneth Paltrow opens up about her tragic miscarriage, Julianne Hough has a girls' weekend post-Ryan Seacrest split, Emma Watson, and more!
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In today’s headlines from Los Angeles, Gwyneth Paltrow opens up about her tragic miscarriage, Julianne Hough has a girls' weekend post-Ryan Seacrest split, Emma Watson, and more!

E.L. James on Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey
Video

From Fangs to Fifty: E.L. James on How Twilight Inspired Fifty Shades of Grey

On Katie Couric's new talk show, Katie, yesterday, E.L.
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On Katie Couric's new talk show, Katie, yesterday, E.L. James shared some more details on how her best seller Fifty Shades of Grey was inspired by Twilight. E.L. explained that it all started with her love of the first Twilight movie. Then after reading the books — that she couldn't couldn't put down — a "switch was flipped" and she had to write. Her fan fiction about Bella and Edward eventually evolved into the erotic story of Christian and Ana that made her famous. Watch the clip now to find out more behind-the-scenes tidbits on how Fifty Shades came to be.

E.L. James Husband Interview
Video

Meet Mr. Fifty Shades: E.L. James's Hubby Niall Leonard

Is this the man who inspired Christian Grey?
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Is this the man who inspired Christian Grey? No, says Niall Leonard — husband to Fifty Shades of Grey erotic novelist E.L. James — in an interview with CNN. Niall said, "I'm really happy not to be Christian Grey, because that guy's a mess." But he noted that his wife of 20-plus years does have a little Ana Steele in her (or rather, the other way around), saying, "I see my wife in the emails that they exchange. That's very much my wife's amazing ability to flirt via email." Also a writer (his debut crime novel Crusher goes on sale in Europe and Asia this week), Niall explained that he was more of a proofreader for E.L. than an editor. He added that he tried giving her writing input, but their "approaches are completely different." And while he appreciates her writing and storytelling, he's honest about the erotic book series appealing to a specific sex: "It works for women. Men — not always."

E.L. and Niall have two teenage sons together, who Niall admits get teased for their mom's steamy best-seller, but "deep down" are very proud of her. Niall also squashed any rumors that they have an "adventurous lifestyle" à la Ana and Christian, noting that they are just a regular family. Watch the video interview with CNN below.

E.L. James on The View
Video

E.L. James Knows Her Book Is Impacting Marriages

Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L.
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Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L. James came on The View today to talk with the women about her hit erotic series. The author blushed through much of the segment, as Sherri Shepherd admitted that the book is giving her own sex life a jolt. Sherri said reading Fifty Shades of Grey made her think, "I might want to try some of this stuff with my husband." Watch Whoopi, Joy, Sherri, and E.L. James have an honest and pretty entertaining chat about the book's impact.

Who Is E.L. James?
Books

What We Know About Fifty Shades Author E.L. James

E.L. James, author of the erotic Fifty Shades of Grey series atop the New York Times best-seller list, isn't embarrassed about her material.
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E.L. James, author of the erotic Fifty Shades of Grey series atop the New York Times best-seller list, isn't embarrassed about her material. The British mother of two kicked off a book tour in Miami last weekend, greeting more than 500 blushing and flushing fans at an early morning signing on Sunday. Later in the day, she spoke to a sold-out crowd. E.L. James has bagged a seven-figure movie deal, and The Vampire Diaries' Ian Somerhalder already threw out his name as a possible Christian Grey. If you're deep into the S&M fiction, or just curious about the pop culture phenomenon, here are a few things to know about the woman who started it all.

  • Her real name is Erika Leonard.
  • Before she landed on E.L. James, she went by the pen name "Snowqueens Icedragon." And her work was originally titled Master of the Universe.
  • The story began as Twilight fan fiction, and E.L. James says Stephenie Meyers inspired her to try writing a novel.
  • She wrote the story during what she calls a "midlife crisis" and says it contains all her fantasies in one place.
  • She's been married for 20 years, and has two teenage sons who have not read the books. Of that prospect, she says: "Good God. I would be mortified."
  • E.L. James was raised in London, studied history, and previously worked as a TV producer.
  • She was named one of Time's most influential people of 2012.

Click through for some photos from the book tour.

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