What's your favourite colour? What do you do in your spare time? Who gave the weekend's top musical performance, Taylor or Kanye?
These are the typical questions you could expect when holding a Twitter Q&A.
Not so for '50 Shade of Grey' author, EL James.
Mon 29 Jun at 6pm UK time, @E_L_James will be doing a live chat with @TwitterBooks. Use #AskELJames to ask a question pic.twitter.com/Ixu9fPo31v
— fiftyshadesUK (@fiftyshadesUK) June 23, 2015
How could E.L. James not have known that #ASKELJames would turn into at least 50 shades of shade?
Come on, lady.
— Imani Gandy (@AngryBlackLady) June 29, 2015
Although to be fair, it was nice for a bit...
Hi Bee. A few... Dinner with Mrs R. Georgia when she turns up at the bar... Tallis sceen and the scenes with Elliot. https://t.co/C0HHbyE77X
— E L James (@E_L_James) June 29, 2015
Hi Michele. Two: Sara by Fleetwood Mac and Hello Like Before by Bill Withers https://t.co/YxqCsrSIra
— E L James (@E_L_James) June 29, 2015
But that didn't last long...
Are you as homophobic in real life as your books are? Asking for a friend. #AskELJames
— Jenny Trout (@Jenny_Trout) June 29, 2015
#AskELJames Do you think Christian Grey's troubled childhood justifies the barely consensual abuse he inflicts on all his lovers?
— Glenn (@justabloodygame) June 29, 2015
My boss said no when I asked if I could kiss him and then I did anyway because no means yes right? Things at work are awkward. #AskELJames
— Anna (@thatswedishgirl) June 29, 2015
Yup, most people seemed content pulling up the author on the perceived misogyny in her books.
would you donate some of your money to women who became victims of abuse thanks to your books? #AskELJames
— Kit (@maybemarvellous) June 29, 2015
#AskELJames are you falling in love with all of the people that are abusing you over twitter tonight? isn't that how love goes???
— rachol (@imawanchor) June 29, 2015
Is stalking ok as long as I use a private jet to get there? #AskELJames
— Spanky McDutcherson (@thatdutchperson) June 29, 2015
#AskELJames Does your own inner goddess look angrily at you in the mirror, singing 'Money Money Money' as shredded dictionaries rain down?
— Cersei the Fair (@NiceQueenCersei) June 29, 2015
While some couldn't help having a pop at her writing...
does the E.L. Stand for ELiterate?
— caitlin stasey (@caitlinstasey) June 29, 2015
#AskELJames I don't think you're a good enough writer to know this isn't a question.
— Lucas Neff (@RealLucasNeff) June 29, 2015
What do you dislike more, Independent strong woman or the English language? #AskELJames
— Trevor Donovan (@TrevDon) June 29, 2015
While some were just funny...
#AskELJames What's your favourite shade out of the 50? Is there a chance that more shades will be added?
— Jack Howard (@JackHoward) June 29, 2015
How are babies made?
— crabstickz (@Chris_Kendall_) June 29, 2015
#askELJames Does this Q&A have a safeword?
— Mitch Benn (@MitchBenn) June 29, 2015
#AskELJames I've been banned from the Holland & Barrett ginger counter. Will you put a good word in for me?
— Daisy Buchanan (@NotRollergirl) June 29, 2015
'At Last' was a great song. Any other R&B/Soul classics planned? #AskELJames
— Sarah Brand (@sarahgailbrand) June 29, 2015
#AskELJames I thought I had bought all the 50 shades books, but there were only three of them. Where can I obtain the other 47 please?
— Brigid Mahony (@brigidichka) June 29, 2015
#AskELJames Which version of 'Sit Down' do you prefer, the 1989 3"CD one or THAT 1991 take? The 1998 remix is not an acceptable answer.
— RMcNamara (@RorsDM) June 29, 2015
#AskELJames when your publicist saw the response to this hashtag, what shade of grey did they go...?
— Ellen Rose (@icklenellierose) June 29, 2015
#AskELJames Is the international community seeking to deliberately humiliate Greece or is it a genuine attempt to impose fiscal discipline?
— Primly Stable (@PrimlyStable) June 29, 2015
Some did come to her defence...
Massive pile-on against 50 Shades author in #AskELJames hashtag. She wrote a book. Many people liked it. If you don't, don't read it. Simple
— Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) June 29, 2015
#AskELJames why? Because when women take control of their sexuality it makes people mad. You are all backward. Go picket Vivid.
— Iliza Shlesinger (@iliza) June 29, 2015