‘Fifty Shades’ of Real Life: Former Porn Star Sasha Grey Writing Erotica Novel (Poll)

With copies of E.L. James' "Fifty Shades of Grey" still flying off shelves around the world at an alarming rate, the time has never been better for authors to hop on the erotica pain-train. Hell, there have been countless imitators written and released in the course of writing this sentence. Though, it's likely few erotica writers have the kind of real-world experience of adult film actress turned non-adult film actress Sasha Grey.

While the torrential flood of female-driven erotica continues to flow from the gusher that is "Fifty Shades of Grey," sounds like Grey's debut work of fiction might have a leg up on her competitors. For all the writing criticism she's received, James has revealed in recent interviews that her stories of ben-wa balls and visits to the "red room of pain" are the product of fantasy, not based on anything tangible in her own life -- a fact that her husband has recently hilariously corroborated.

So, with that in mind, Grey's certainly carving out a more unique niche in the world of erotica. She certainly knows the terrain she's writing about. Her first novel, "The Juliette Society," is being described as a highly-sexualized, female-dominated "Fight Club" with an assertive female protagonist, according to a report that first appeared in Deadline.

"For the very first time I can create my own world, my own characters, my own story, and express my own vision with publishers who are just as passionate about the subject matter as I am," Grey said in a statement. "I'm not interested in trying to reinvent the erotic novel, but I look forward to taking it back to its source as a salacious treatment of sex, particularly female sexuality, as something mysterious and sensual. Me sensual? Go figure!"

Grey is one of the most recognized names in the adult entertainment industry even though it has been four years since she stopped that kind of acting. She began her career in adult films six years ago, starring in videos like "Fashionistas Safado" and "Neighbor Affair 6," and has since been interviewed on "The Insider" and "The Tyra Banks Show" and profiled by Rolling Stone.

In 2011, CNBC named her one of the most popular stars in porn. She's since starred in Steven Soderbergh's "The Girlfriend Experience," and played Vinnie Chase's porn-star girlfriend in a season of HBO's "Entourage." Reviewing the movie, New York Times film critic described her career as "distinguished both by the extremity of what she is willing to do and an unusual degree of intellectual seriousness about doing it."

Grey seems to be the latest in a string of porn actresses who have suddenly discovered their literary aspirations. And we're guessing James can pat herself on the back for that one.

Since being published last year, "Fifty Shades" has become notorious for its explicit sexual content and controversial portrayal of a relationship involving BDSM. The novel has sold more than 30 million copies in the U.S., and more than 10 million copies to British readers, making James' book the UK's fastest-selling book of all time. All three books from James' trilogy have remained in the top five of The New Yorks Times' bestsellers list for over three months. The first book is currently being adapted into a film by Universal and Focus Features.

"The Juliette Society" has a U.S. deal with Beth de Guzman at Grand Central Publishing, and Catherine Burke of Little, Brown has snapped it for the UK.

Meanwhile, James has been hinting that she'd like a cameo in the movie "Fifty Shades of Grey" adaption. Will Grey be writing herself into her books as well? She certainly fits the part.

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