Jennifer Pedroza

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Jennifer Pedroza
Born 1970 (age 53–54)
Nationality USA
Occupation publisher, writer
Known for sued to recover her share of the royalties to a lucrative book contract

Jennifer Pedroza is an American teacher, publisher and author.[1][2]

In 2009 Pedroza, a teacher, with three partners, founded The Writer’s Coffee Shop, a website that originally published fan fiction.[2][3] It published EL James Fifty Shades of Grey, and its two sequels - books which were phenomenally successful. Based on their success Pedroza retired from teaching, in 2011.[1]

In Fifty Shades of Black and White: Anatomy of the Lawsuit behind a Publishing Phenomenon Pedroza, and her lawyer, Mike Farris, describe the successful lawsuit she files against Amanda Hayward, one of her former partners, after the rights to the book were sold to the large publisher Random House.[1] According to Pedroza's suit the four partners who founded the small publishing firm had only a verbal agreement with one another. When the rights were sold one of her former partners kept the entire $40 million Random House paid for herself. During the lawsuit it was established that Hayward, without informing her partners, converted the website into a business owned solely by her.[2] During the lawsuit Pedroza's co-ownership was confirmed through early tax records which named her as a partner.

Pedroza's suit was successful, and she was awarded $11.5 million.[1] Hayward was also ordered to pay Pedroza $1.7 million, to cover her legal fees.[4]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Marice Richter (2018-05-05). "Grey Area: Arlington woman and the Fifty Shades of legal battles". Fort Worth Business. Archived from the original on 2020-10-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025052636/https://fortworthbusiness.com/government/grey-area-arlington-woman-and-the-fifty-shades-of-legal-battles/. Retrieved 2021-07-23. "But then, like any good tale, fate intervened. At a particularly low point, Pedroza met a lawyer who believed she had been wronged and was willing to take on a legal battle to settle the sordid dealings behind the publishing of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, one most of the most lucrative deals in the industry’s history." 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Amanda Holpuch (2016-01-29). "Fifty Shades of Grey publisher ordered to pay $11.5m in royalties to teacher". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2021-02-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20210221080643/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/29/fifty-shades-of-grey-texas-teacher-jennifer-pedroza-royalties-writers-coffee-shop-amanda-hayward. Retrieved 2021-07-23. "Jennifer Pedroza of Arlington, Texas, filed suit in May 2014 against her former business partner, Amanda Hayward. The two worked for the Writer’s Coffee Shop, the e-publishing company that first published the erotic novels that would go on to become bestsellers." 
  3. Max B. Baker (2015-02-20). "Arlington woman wins ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ lawsuit". Fort Worth Star Telegram. Archived from the original on 2021-07-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20210723213713/https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/arlington/article10789772.html. Retrieved 2021-07-23. "The three women formed online friendships. McGuire did design for the blog, Pedroza uploaded contributors’ writing, and Hayward worked with the authors, court records show. Later, Christa Beebe, another Arlington resident, joined and helped with marketing and distribution." 
  4. Max B. Baker (2016-01-28). "Arlington woman wins $11.5 million in Fifty Shades of Grey lawsuit". Fort Worth Star Telegram. Archived from the original on 2018-06-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20180622092625/https://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article57139193.html. Retrieved 2021-07-23. "Including pre-judgment interest of $888,643 assessed from the day the lawsuit was filed in May 2014, Pedroza could receive $11.5 million. McCoy also ordered Hayward to pay Pedroza’s $1.7 million in attorney fees."