Yahoo News Fifty Shades author EL James says she has imposter syndrome and is in therapy
The writer said that she suffers from self-doubt
Fifty Shades Of Grey author EL James has revealed she has imposter syndrome despite being the bestselling author of a franchise that became a phenomenon.
The British writer found fame with the erotic trilogy about college graduate Anastasia Steele and businessman Christian Grey and has sold millions of books, but she said she still struggles with self-doubt and is in therapy.
Read more: Dakota Johnson on the chaos of making 'Fifty Shades': 'It was like mayhem all the time'
Opening up to The Times, she said: “I have imposter syndrome and knowing I’ve sold 165 million books does not make it easier.
"I find it depressing that I can’t shift the self-doubt so I’m in therapy now.”
James, whose real name is Erika Mitchell, said that people have referred to her as courageous but that in reality she is “actually quite a coward”.
“I’m a lot braver in my fiction than in real life,” said the 60-year-old.
James released the first book in the series – Fifty Shades Of Grey – in 2011 and followed it up with eagerly anticipated sequels Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed the following year.
The books were a massive success with readers and went on to be adapted for the big screen, with a steamy trilogy of films starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.
However, the writer has always said that the success of the franchise was a shock.
Speaking to the Shropshire Star a few years ago, she said: “My only dream was to see Fifty Shades Of Grey in a book shop.
"The explosion of interest has taken me completely by surprise."
Has James written anything else?
The author, who is from London, penned other Fifty Shades companion books but in 2019 she unveiled a completely new story.
Entitled The Mister, the novel told the story of an aristocrat who inherited his family’s wealth after going through a tragedy.
However, it didn't make the splash that Fifty Shades did.
Read more: Fifty Shades Of Grey author EL James won't rule out the return of Christian and Ana
James has now written a sequel to the tale, which is called The Missus.
Watch: Jamie Dornan is reprising his role in season 2 of 'The Tourist'
