Author JD Barker is facing a backlash after several TikTok creators said they were encouraged to make sexually suggestive promotional videos for his upcoming erotic thriller.
Sian Harper and Marissa Bologna, who are both part of the literary community on the app known as BookTok, posted videos online to express their concerns about the email from a literary PR company owned by the author.
The email included suggestions that the creators would show “something spicy” and “just use the book to cover up your naughty stuff.”
In addition to the suggestions, there was a detailed pay scale, offering up to $2,400 for videos posted by accounts with more than 700,000 followers.
The email was sent by a company owned by Barker, a New York Times and international bestseller, in an effort to promote his latest novel, “Behind a Closed Door.”
JD Barker, seen here, faces a backlash over a promotional email suggesting the makers show ‘something spicy’
Sian Harper, left, and Marissa Bologna, right, shared videos on the platform about the email from a literary PR company owned by the author
Sharing her video on the platform, Harper said: “I just got such a predatory email from an author who wanted me to promote their book.
“They were even generous enough to give me ideas about what you would like to do for them.
“He’s going to single-handedly review every video sent to him so it gets approved. This is creepy as f**k behavior and honestly I’m so grossed out.”
In her message, Bologna said, “I can’t believe this is a real email I received this week from an author about making a promo video for one of their books.
‘This one wants you to “do something spicy” or “move a camera up and down the body to cover up your naughty things.”
“It makes me feel so uncomfortable and it feels so creepy and predatory to me.”
The book is described in the email as a “sexually charged dark thriller” in which a couple “becomes entangled in a twisted web of seduction and violence.”
Another prompt in the email also read: “What’s the most taboo place you’ve ever had sex?”
In a lengthy statement shared by Barker on his social media accounts, he said: “I am shocked that such a message has been released. And I deeply regret the pain I have caused to those who received it.
“I have nothing but respect for the writing community and the people who advocate for it, and I have let you all down.
‘I have nothing but the deepest respect for women. I am a husband. I am a father. There is no excuse for the insensitivity demonstrated by my actions.
“The weight created by these actions is inexcusable. I can and will do better. The written word is something I cherish. Words have a power.
‘And sometimes they can hurt more than the most dangerous weapon.
“Knowing that I handled that weapon and was injured is something that will weigh on me for the rest of my days. If this has affected you, I am truly sorry.”
Because of the email, a publicity agency representing Barker also said they have cut ties with the author.
The email was sent by a company owned by Barker, a New York Times and international bestseller, in an effort to promote his latest novel, “Behind a Closed Door.”
In a lengthy statement Barker shared on his social media accounts, he said the campaign was never approved
Dana Kaye, founder of Kaye Publicity, which handled some of the outreach, said NBC: ‘We were unaware this email was being sent and as soon as we became aware of it we severed ties with JD Barker.’
Simon & Schuster, which distributes books under Barker’s imprint, Hampton Creek Press, issued a statement saying, “We were shocked to learn of this campaign, and naturally strongly disapprove of this outrageous and irresponsible promotional attempt by our distribution client.”
Meanwhile, X users also posted scathing responses to the author’s statement, with people labeling him a “total creep.”
One person said: ‘The email described several video ideas that were “in line with the events of the book, a work of fiction” and a great way to say: “I tried to solicit nude videos from multiple women “.’
While another posted: ‘Liar. Besides being a creep, you’re also a liar. That’s right.’
Barker, full name Jonathan Dylan Barker, released his debut novel Forsaken in 2014 and was twice on the New York Times bestseller list.