Fifty Shades author EL James, whose real name is Erika Leonard, is reportedly earning a staggering $87,000 a day from the sales of her famous books.
The erotic writer behind the best-selling trilogy, which has become a global phenomen made more than $21 million in just eight months, according to accounts filed by EL James's company, Fifty Shades Ltd.
The Sunday Times reports that the author donated more than $1.6 million to charities and that the most extravagant purchase has been a new Volkeswagen car.
The author’s raunchy trilogy, which revolves around the sexual escapades of young entrepreneur Christian Grey sold more than 70 million copies between March and December last year.
Former TV executive Mrs Leonard, who began writing erotic stories in 2009 has said she never expected Fifty Shades of Grey to be a “huge bloody success” and had planned to carry on working in TV and writing novels on the side.
Earnings are set to rise further with the author last week revealing on Twitter that British artist Sam Taylor-Johnson will direct the film adaptation.
Universal Pictures and Focus Features won the rights to the novels, reportedly spending upwards of $3 million.