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'Fifty Shades of Grey' will be released in hardcover editions

The 'Fifty Shades of Grey' trilogy has bucked the usual publishing trend by being released in paperback first and is only now being converted into a hardcover format.

'Fifty Shades of Grey,' the first book in author E L James' trilogy, was first published in June 2011.
  • By Molly Driscoll Staff Writer

The bestselling “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy is reversing the usual release trend.

Rather than first coming out in hardcover, then being released in paperback, the trilogy by E L James found success first in e-book and paperback format and only now are being released in hardcover. The new versions of the books will be released on Jan. 29.

“As interest in the "Fifty Shades' trilogy has grown, readers have been asking for hardcover editions of the books,” Anne Messitte, James’ publisher, told USA Today.

Some observers of the book business have suggested that the e-book format of “Fifty Shades of Grey” contributed to its early success because it allowed curious readers to read the erotic trilogy without having to publicly display the books. Perhaps the degree to which the books have gone mainstream – the paper and digital versions have now sold more than 65 million copies worldwide – has put any fears of public exposure to rest.

The new copies will include not only the original text from the books but extras such as red ribbon bookmarks and paper inside the covers patterned in items taken from the book such as ties and masks. The books will be sold separately as well as in a boxed set.

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