Fifty Shades of Black and White: Anatomy of the Lawsuit behind a Publishing Phenomenon (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781941071892)

At last it can be told, the true insider story of scandal, treachery, and betrayal behind the publishing of one of the most lucrative juggernauts in publishing history, the blockbuster Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.

You've seen the stories in the news. You've read about it in blogs and chat rooms. Now, read the truth as it played out in a Texas courtroom. As Mike Farris, a seasoned trial attorney known for his grit, determination, and integrity, explained to the twelve jurors who would decide the case: "I say there's...two kinds of people. There are the na ve and the trusting; and there are the scheming and the manipulative. And when you get them together, this is what happens."

The true story behind the publishing of the international bestseller Fifty Shades of Grey is more sordid and twisted than any story contained in the originator of "mommy porn." It is a maze of international partnership agreements, shady and possibly unenforceable global non-competes bound up with suspicious, constrictive service agreements, confidentiality clauses, non-disclosure agreements, and hidden, secretive contracts that would be worth millions of dollars.

Four women partnered together to publish one of the most successful book series of all time, but one of the partners, Australian Amanda Hayward, absconded with the profits. Left holding the empty bag was bubbly Texas school teacher Jennifer Pedroza. Amanda's acts shattered Jennifer's dream of a bright, well-off future. When the puzzle pieces all came back together, an entirely new image had been created: one that cut Jennifer entirely out of the picture. A flurry of cease-and-desist letters, threats of criminal charges and prison, and underhanded scare tactics not only lead Jennifer to discover her own strength and courage, but to discover the attorney willing to stand beside her and fight for justice.

Mike Farris, trial lawyer and superb writer and storyteller, teams up with Jennifer Pedroza to tell their remarkable story. This tale of betrayal, breach of trust, and high-stakes litigation will keep you glued to the edge of your seat as it takes you on a roller-coaster journey that one journalist called "Fifty Shades of Greed."