Bloom Books Celebrates Release of FREED: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian, by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author E L James, with Innovative Digital Multi-Author “Pre-Launch Party,” Hosted on Looped, a Cutting-Edge Virtual/Interactive Event Platform
Bloom Books, an imprint of Sourcebooks, launched ticket sales for The Freed Pre-Launch Party, celebrating the publication of FREED: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian, with#1 New York Times bestselling author E L James and “book besties” Debra Anastasia, Ruth Clampett, Colleen Hoover, Helena Hunting, Alexa Martin and Katee Robert. A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit Share Our Strength, an organization working to end hunger and poverty. Bloom Books is hosting this first-of-its-kind publishing event on Looped, an innovative virtual venue commonly used by the entertainment industry.
Tagged “Come as You Are. Come as You Want to Be. This Is Your Night to Be FREED,” the FREED Pre-Launch Party celebrates readers and their passion for the Fifty Shades books as much as the author herself – and her author guests. Dominique Raccah, Sourcebooks Publisher and CEO, notes, “Fifty Shades is absolutely a global phenomenon, and readers have been eagerly anticipating this installment, which features Ana and Christian’s wedding, for a decade.” She continues, “Given that FREED in essence invites readers to this lavish, long-awaited affair, we thought it fitting to give everyone a reason to celebrate now, with this special pre-launch event.”
To maximize impact and interaction, Raccah tapped Looped as the virtual partner. “Our friends at Penguin Random House introduced us to the Looped team, and I was absolutely impressed by the capabilities they offer,” said Raccah. “Looped has never hosted an event like the one we are planning for the publishing industry, having worked most closely until now with luminaries of the stage, screen and music industry. Readers are going to love this red-carpet virtual experience!”
The evening, which will feature appearances by E L James, along with authors Debra Anastasia, Ruth Clampett, Colleen Hoover, Helena Hunting, Alexa Martin and Katee Robert, will lead attendees through a program filled with original Fifty Shades-themed music, trivia, games, prizes, karaoke breakouts and an exclusive audiobook excerpt reading from FREED narrator Zachary Webber! There will also be a toast led by event partner Drink Bev®, a forward-thinking wine brand “made by chicks, but made for everyone.”
Books will be sold in digital storefronts within the platform by Barnes & Noble (with Canadian retailer to be confirmed). There will also be the opportunity to buy FREED with signed bookplates (to be delivered on or after 6/1/21) – this is a consumers’ only opportunity to get signed books in North America at on-sale.
A portion of proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength, an organization whose mission is to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and abroad. “No one should go hungry, as Christian Grey did in his early childhood,” says author E L James, “and I applaud and support Share Our Strength’s important work and their campaigns to end hunger and promote healthy and productive living for all.”
Tickets to The Freed Pre-Launch Party are now available online: https://www.events.loopedlive.com/freed
• $5 General Admission
• $30.50 Book Bundle (US only): Includes admission, a copy of FREED and a signed bookplate, in partnership with Barnes & Noble.
• $60 VIP Viewing Suite (includes admission for up to 12 attendees) Every event attendee will receive an exclusive digital takeaway from Bloom Books. We invite you to join us!
