Author J.D. Barker is facing a backlash after several TikTok creators said they had been encouraged to make sexually suggestive promotional videos for his upcoming erotic thriller.
Sian Harper and Marissa Bologna, who are both parts of the literary community on the app known as BookTok, posted videos online to share concerns over the email from a literary public relations firm owned by the author.
The email included suggestions that the creators show ‘something racy’ and to use ‘only the book to cover up your naughty bits’.
Alongside the suggestions was a detailed pay scale, offering up to $2,400 for videos posted by accounts with over 700,000 followers.
The email had been sent from a firm owned by Barker, who is a New York Times and international bestseller, in an attempt to promote his newest novel ‘Behind a Closed Door.’
J.D. Barker, seen here, is facing a backlash over a promotional email included that included suggestions that the creators show ‘something racy’
Sian Harper, left, and Marissa Bologna,right, shared videos on the platform concerning the email from a literary public relations firm owned by the author
In sharing her video to the platform, Harper said: ‘I just got such a predatory email from an author wanting me to promote their book.
‘They were even generous enough to give me ideas of what you might like to do for them.
‘He is going to single handedly review every video sent to him to make it gets approved. This is creepy as f**k behavior and honestly I am so grossed out.’
In her post, Bologna said: ‘I cannot believe that this is an actual email I received this week from an author about making promo video for one of their books.
‘This one wants you to “cut to something racy” or “a camera pan up and down the body to cover up your naughty bits”.
‘This just makes me feel so uncomfortable and it just feels so creepy and predatory to me.’
The book is described in the email as being a ‘sexually charged dark thriller’ featuring a couple that gets ‘caught up in a twisted web of seduction and violence’.
Another prompt included in the email also said: ‘What is the most taboo place you’ve ever had sex?’
In a lengthy statement Barker shared to his social media accounts, he said: ‘I’m horrified such a message was released. And I deeply regret the hurt I’ve caused to those who received it.
‘I have nothing but respect for the writing community and the people who champion it and I’ve let all of you down.
‘I have nothing but the deepest respect for women. I’m a husband. I’m a father. There is no excuse for the insensitivity demonstrated by my actions.
‘The weight created by those 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 I’ve wielded that weapon and injured is something that will weigh on me for the remainder of my days. If you were impacted by this, I am truly sorry.’
Due to the email, one publicity firm that had represented Barker has also said they have cut ties with the author.
The email had been sent from a firm owned by Barker, who is a New York Times and international bestseller, in an attempt to promote his newest novel ‘Behind a Closed Door
In a lengthy statement Barker shared to his social media accounts, he said that the campaign was never approved
Dana Kaye, founder of Kaye Publicity, which was handling some of the outreach told NBC: ‘We did not have any knowledge that this email was being sent out and as soon as we became aware, we severed ties with JD Barker.’
Simon & Schuster, which distributes books by Barker’s imprint, Hampton Creek Press, issued a statement saying: ‘We were horrified to learn of this campaign, and of course thoroughly disapprove of this outrageous and irresponsible promotion attempt from our distribution client.’
Meanwhile X users have also posted scathing responses to the author’s statement, with people branding him a ‘total creep.’
One person said: ‘The email detailed several video ideas that were “in keeping with events that occur in the book, a work of fiction” is a hell of a way of saying “I tried to solicit nude videos from multiple women”.’
While another posted: ‘Liar. On top of being a creep you’re also a liar. That checks out.’
Barker, full name Jonathan Dylan Barker, released his debut novel Forsaken in 2014 and has twice appeared on the New York Times bestseller list.