Zane, known as the "Queen of Erotica," recently weighed in on the frenzy surrounding "Fifty Shades of Grey."
The 44-year-old, Washington, D.C.-based author has sold more than 5 million copies of her books worldwide before anyone heard of "Fifty Shades," Time Entertainment reported.
Zane's books are "famous for its no-holds-barred, raw sexuality, juicier even than more restrained-by-comparison books such as 'Fifty Shades'."
Zane, which is a pseudonym (it means "God's precious gift"), first made her name writing sexy stories on her AOL website, until the company shut it down because of its X-rated content.
She initially self-published her work, selling more than 100,000 copies of her first novel, 'Addicted,' in 2001. But finally she cast her lot with Simon & Schuster, and the rest is mainstream publishing history. She has had 14 New York Times bestsellers, in addition to writing and producing a hit Cinemax series, 'Zane's Sex Chronicles,' and maintaining a hugely popular website, planetzane.com, which features conversations for the "grown and sexy."
Time asked if she was astonished by what happened with "Fifty Shades of Grey," written by E.L. James, which tells the story of 22-year-old recent college grad Anastasia Steele, who enters into a dominant/submissive sexual relationship with 27-year old sexy billionaire Christian Grey and both explore the world of BDSM (bondage, dominance, submission, masochism).
"I wouldn't say that I was astonished by it. I think that it was very good marketing: being on the right shows, and getting the right media outlets," Zane said. "I'm very happy for the author. But clearly it's not the first time erotica has gone mainstream. Even if you take me out of the equation, Sex in the City is a multi-billion-dollar brand."
She also opened up about how women like erotica, and that it's not a bad thing.
"One thing I am happy about is that people will be, hopefully, with 'Fifty Shades of Grey,' be more accepting of the fact that women can appreciate erotica," Zane said. "I will say that my stuff is a lot steamier!"
Time Entertainment reported that Zane's steamy first novel, Addicted, which stars Zoe Reynard, a successful married businesswoman who is juggling three lovers, has just been republished.
She is also coming out with a new book "Zane's Z-Rated: Chocolate Flava 3."
The book is described:
"Just when you thought that Chocolate Flava, Caramel Flava, Honey Flava, Sensuality, and Succulent had hit all the right spots-there's nothing like Z-Rated, the hottest Flava book yet. Handpicked by Zane, Z-Rated features some of the most creative, most talented writers in erotica, including stories from favorites like Cairo, Allison Hobbs, and a story by Zane herself. Featured are twenty-seven scintillating tales that will take your mind away from the day to day and straight into the erogenous zone-your perfect escape. Read, fantasize, and move beyond X-rated . . ."
The novel is the next book in the steamy, uncut Flava anthology series, and will be released at the end of August.