'Fifty Shades of Grey' will be published as hardcovers

Fifty Shades of Grey, the erotic bondage trilogy that was once a hush-hush secret among Upper East Side wives, has come full circle to mainstream respectability:

For the first time, E.L. James' blockbuster novels - now available as e-books and paperbacks - will be published as hardcovers, ready to take a prideful, permanent place on fans' bookshelves. And just in time for Valentine's Day.

MORE: E.L. James is USA TODAY's author of the year

On Jan. 29, Doubleday will release 200,000 copies of Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed in hardback for $26.95 each. There also will be a shrink-wrapped set of the three books for $80.85.

Why the new format? "As interest in the Fifty Shades trilogy has grown, readers have been asking for hardcover editions of the books," says James' publisher Anne Messitte in an e-mail. "These new hardcovers include unique production elements, making them the ultimate collector's editions for readers of the trilogy."

The new hardcovers feature a red silk ribbon - which is not detachable, thank you very much! There is also the author's signature, "Laters Baby, E.L. James X," embossed in silver on the book itself beneath the trademark Grey jackets featuring, respectively, the tie, the mask and the handcuffs.

There also is a discreet warning on the back guaranteed to keep little eyes from prying: "EROTIC ROMANCE: Mature Audience."

The trilogy has sold more than 35 million copies in the USA and 65 million worldwide. The first book was No. 1 on USA TODAY's Best-Selling Books list for 20 straight weeks last year, and the trilogy remains in the top 10.

USA Today