Fifty Shades (novel series) 2015, director Sam Taylor-Johnson confirmed two sequels to be succeeded after the first film, with "Fifty Shades Darker" to be released February 10, 2017. Fifty Shades (novel series) Fifty Shades is a series of erotic novels by E. L. James. Initially a trilogy consisting of "Fifty Shades of Grey" (2011), "Fifty Shades Darker" and "Fifty Shades Freed" (2012), the series traces the deepening relationship between a college graduate, Anastasia Steele, and a young business man, Christian Grey. Grey introduces Ana to the world of BDSM. James has spoken of her shock at the success of the book, "The explosion of
Fifty Shades of Grey "Fifty Shades" trilogy as an example of viral marketing and of the rise in popularity of female erotica, attributing its success to the discreet nature of e-reading devices. Due to the heightened interest in the series, the license to the "Fifty Shades" trilogy was picked up by Vintage Books for re-release in a new and revised edition in April 2012. The attention that the series has garnered has also helped to spark a renewed interest in erotic literature. Many other erotic works quickly became best-sellers following "Fifty Shades" success, while other popular works, such as Anne Rice's "The Sleeping Beauty"