Virtual Literotica Convention 2025 Author Challenge Official Support Thread

[BryanRichardson]

I don't have a hair plug and spray tan fetish, so no

They’re not all hair plugs and spray tans!

Of course the only version of a hot tub convention I ever saw were exhibits at local home shows.
https://literotica.com/s/hot-tub-repairman

 

[EmilyMiller]

This event is a great and novel idea. Literotica needs more of this kind of thing. A minority complain about adding events, but sites die when they don’t move forward. So it’s wonderful to see new blood taking up the challenge of keeping Literotica momentum going.

I applaud @FreyaGersemi for her inventiveness, bravery, and hard work. I’m proud to do my little bit to support her fun new event with Unconventinal and a second work that is in development.

Well done Frey! The site needs people like you.

Emily

 

[FreyaGersemi]

I applaud @FreyaGersemi for her inventiveness, bravery, and hard work.

Or... my oblivious and unaware nature combined with a neurotic drive to make things fun. But thank you!

Well done Frey! The site needs people like you.

Thank you, again. But it was just a silly seed of a comment that grew through the nurturing care of everyone involved. I hope that it was a fun event for everyone!!

 

[Lifestyle66]

I just submitted and in "pending" my first story "Convention Pt 1, Star of the Show". It ends with a cliffhanger.

Now I'll work on Part 2, and hopefully have it done before the LitCon end date.

 

[Actingup]

Ohh you could embed a hilariously bad 750-word story by the hot tub sales con goer into the middle of your longer, better story

I'm a firm believer that there is a place here for quality hot tub stories. And then there's the thing that happened at this LitCon where people broke into the Hot Tub displays late at night....

 

[JWtts]

I'm a firm believer that there is a place here for quality hot tub stories. And then there's the thing that happened at this LitCon where people broke into the Hot Tub displays late at night....

... during the storm on Saturday. A bad circuit breaker, some strange lube that accidentally falls into the hot tub, yada-yada-yada, timey-wimey interdimensional, multiversal stuff and BAM... that's how some people's fantasy and/or sci-fi characters end up at the con and also experiencing different versions of events across our stories.

Though regular hot tub shenanigans works too.

 

[Actingup]

... during the storm on Saturday. A bad circuit breaker, some strange lube that accidentally falls into the hot tub, yada-yada-yada, timey-wimey interdimensional, multiversal stuff and BAM... that's how some people's fantasy and/or sci-fi characters end up at the con and also experiencing different versions of events across our stories.

Though regular hot tub shenanigans works too.

If only we'd stumped up for a better flux capacitor...

 

[AlexFourways]

Sadly the catalog is still with the printers [ PENDING ] 05/01/2025. But loving the stories so far. Such a mix of takes on the idea with both real, fictional and bi-reality characters and events. Loved the line in one "they are busy writing the seventeenth floor." (approximate quote).

 

[Bassytian]

So, I have to be honest with something. While I’m going to finish what I started, I’m struggling. This challenge has confirmed one thing to me, I’m losing inspiration for writing erotic content. That’s not to say that I’m losing it for writing as a whole, in fact my inspiration for character interaction and plot has never been higher! But when it comes to my stories lately, not just for this challenge, my sex scenes are becoming harder to write.

I’m currently working on Chapter 2 and I really want the erotic scenes involving other people’s characters to be hot, but they don’t feel sexy or natural to me really, and it’s driving me crazy! The entire point of this challenge is erotic interactions with characters from other stories, I want to give readers something they can enjoy.

It has me questioning if I can even continue as an erotic writer to be honest. I do have an interest in publishing and selling copies of the Tiafell story one day, but I don’t know if I can in it’s current form. Plus, I don’t even have an editor, could probably stand to have one in all honesty.

Sorry, I’m rambling. I’m at one hell of a crossroads here.

 

[BryanRichardson]

I apparently misunderstood the How To category and wrote my dance lesson as a story. Some of the highest rated stories in that category look like stories, not just simple instructions, so I thought it was ok.
https://literotica.com/s/lit-con-dance-lesson
They switched it to Erotic Couplings, which is fine although there is no coupling in it, just a little exhibitionism.
So, I rewrote the story as a real How To, which should be published tomorrow.

 

[AlexFourways]

So, I have to be honest with something. While I’m going to finish what I started, I’m struggling. This challenge has confirmed one thing to me, I’m losing inspiration for writing erotic content. That’s not to say that I’m losing it for writing as a whole, in fact my inspiration for character interaction and plot has never been higher! But when it comes to my stories lately, not just for this challenge, my sex scenes are becoming harder to write.
<SNIP>

Sorry, I’m rambling. I’m at one hell of a crossroads here.

Possibly this should be a DM, but I understand your POV. Lots of stories here are almost like pure candy. Others are like the most elaborate cake with a delicate application of icing. And there is everything in between.

I suppose I came here to write stories, but realised / thought they needed lots of icing and sprinkles. Over time I found that putting more layers of cream filling and icing was not doing much for me, so, getting inspiration from others, I have eased off somewhat and write the story I want, but also include the icing and decoration that it needs.

After all, there must be a thousand ways for a hero to save the day, but only a hundred ways to fuck!

All I know is that I wrote a book lenght fan fiction story that has been live for over two years and recieved 0 comments, even when it was being read, but now visits to one or two parts (of 16) a month is good, so I'm not getting readers there anymore. So for feedback and fellow author interaction this is a pretty good place to be. Just bake the cake you want and add some decoration to suit the audience.

 

[oneagainst]

Sorry, I’m rambling. I’m at one hell of a crossroads here.

I get you. There are only a fixed number of slot A into tab B. I find myself on the same track... the future is bright though. More character development, story evolution, breaking out of what can sometimes feel like the Lit straitjacket of a sex scene per x thousand words. It's all for the good as a writer. Lean into it

 

[Djmac1031]

So my story is done, just needs some editing, and hopefully will be up soon.

 

[FreyaGersemi]

I’m at one hell of a crossroads here.

I'm working all weekend, but private message me. I may be able to help.

 

[AlexFourways]

Just to let you know
Lit Con 2025 Memento Catalog
List of items available exclusively for Lit Con 25 attendees.
05/04/2025 in Illustrated Stories
PUBLISHED

Also, if you read my Lit Con story and wondered what happened with Katie and Bella while* Alex was entertaining Cynthia...
Katie & Bella Behind A Closed Door!
Whilst Alex entertains Cyn, Katie does her thing with Bella!
05/04/2025 in Lesbian Sex Stories
PUBLISHED

*I typed whilst, but I have become allergic! (A certain SnS someone will understand. )

 

[Andreas_Kreuz]

But when it comes to my stories lately, not just for this challenge, my sex scenes are becoming harder to write.

Similar for me as well. I would not say sex scenes become harder, I would rather say - tiresome. Sex as such consists of massaging erogeneous zones until orgasm. I find myself going from showing to telling. I. e. not the act, just the fact that and how it occurred.
What I still find intriguing is how the characters got into the situation where they have sex. Or how and why they behave sexually outside the norm. (Exhibitionism, Cheating, Incest, Taboo...) So I try to learn how to develop my characters.
Or as Gerorges Simenon might put it:
Not sex stories, but stories driven by sexuality. Sex can serve as a metaphor for so many things. Fun, Power, Rebellion, Struggle, Freedom...

 

[Bassytian]

Possibly this should be a DM, but I understand your POV. Lots of stories here are almost like pure candy. Others are like the most elaborate cake with a delicate application of icing. And there is everything in between.

I suppose I came here to write stories, but realised / thought they needed lots of icing and sprinkles. Over time I found that putting more layers of cream filling and icing was not doing much for me, so, getting inspiration from others, I have eased off somewhat and write the story I want, but also include the icing and decoration that it needs.

After all, there must be a thousand ways for a hero to save the day, but only a hundred ways to fuck!

All I know is that I wrote a book lenght fan fiction story that has been live for over two years and recieved 0 comments, even when it was being read, but now visits to one or two parts (of 16) a month is good, so I'm not getting readers there anymore. So for feedback and fellow author interaction this is a pretty good place to be. Just bake the cake you want and add some decoration to suit the audience.

The non-erotic parts of my stories/chapters come to life on the screen as I write and I sometimes find that 2-3 hours have passed without me realizing it. That used to happen with the sex scenes, but now they don't happen so organically anymore.

While I stopped worrying about comments and feedback a while ago, I do still want at least a few people to be turned on by my erotic scenes, even if I never hear about it (why worry about it then, right?). To be honest, and I hope this isn't part of a bigger problem, I'm not turned on by my own scenes lately. So I find myself thinking "if this does nothing for me, how can I expect anyone else to 'get a rise' by it?". If it was merely a case of using characters from other authors, it would be one thing. But Part 2 of my entry begins with of two of my own characters going at it, and even that feels like it's missing something.

I hope it's simply a case of my worrying about it too much, I do feel as though my own standards for myself have gotten far more strict they were when I started last year, which can't be good for my craft.

Anyway, thank you for your words, I'll follow your advice. I used to be the kind of person that hated asking for help, but I'm breaking that old habit. It's really not so bad to ask. I do feel better about this, so hopefully I can get that "spark" back soon!

I get you. There are only a fixed number of slot A into tab B. I find myself on the same track... the future is bright though. More character development, story evolution, breaking out of what can sometimes feel like the Lit straitjacket of a sex scene per x thousand words. It's all for the good as a writer. Lean into it

I suppose it could be a form of "growing pains", I think that's an accurate way to put it. I think of my Tiafell series as being similar to "A Song of Ice and Fire", dark and violent with sex/nudity sprinkled here and there. But yeah, the pressure to include a sex scene every so often does feel like a straightjacket at times. As I mentioned before, that could be my problem, worrying about it too much.

I'm working all weekend, but private message me. I may be able to help.

Thanks, much appreciated. I will do that when I get a chance to.

 

[Bassytian]

Similar for me as well. I would not say sex scenes become harder, I would rather say - tiresome. Sex as such consists of massaging erogeneous zones until orgasm. I find myself going from showing to telling. I. e. not the act, just the fact that and how it occurred.
What I still find intriguing is how the characters got into the situation where they have sex. Or how and why they behave sexually outside the norm. (Exhibitionism, Cheating, Incest, Taboo...) So I try to learn how to develop my characters.
Or as Gerorges Simenon might put it:
Not sex stories, but stories driven by sexuality. Sex can serve as a metaphor for so many things. Fun, Power, Rebellion, Struggle, Freedom...

I like to add an element of humor to some of mine, depending on the story and the situation. Part of the appeal of my fantasy story (to me, anyway) is that it can be as absurd (and sometimes funny) as I want it to be. They've felt lacking lately though. Perhaps I could try something I've ever done before,

 

[Actingup]

I like to add an element of humor to some of mine, depending on the story and the situation. Part of the appeal of my fantasy story (to me, anyway) is that it can be as absurd (and sometimes funny) as I want it to be. They've felt lacking lately though. Perhaps I could try something I've never done before,

I really appreciate your openness. I do think that in general this is a problem that is worse for professional creatives of all stripes, because they need to sell stuff or face being a starving artist working a day job to survive. If everybody expects you to produce another “OK Computer”, do you ignore them and give them “Kid A”*? How would it be touring the world singing songs that stopped inspiring you 30 years ago?

As amateurs we have that problem less, but it’s still easy to box ourselves in with expectations. The best way forward IMHO is to try and write what challenges and inspires you, and not (for example) force your characters to have sex when they’d rather share a fragrant, steaming mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows and talk about gnostic philosophy**. But I know that’s not easy. And if nothing is challenging or inspiring, that’s ok too - there is no creative quota to be fulfilled.

*I feel that there are not enough gratuitous Radiohead references here.
**They are 100% going to have sex when they’ve finished that silky smooth hot chocolate.

 

[PennyThompson]

*I feel that there are not enough gratuitous Radiohead references here.

Given what I assume the age/race/gender demographic breakdowns are around here, there should be Radiohead lyrics oozing out of the WALLS in this place

 

[Bassytian]

I really appreciate your openness. I do think that in general this is a problem that is worse for professional creatives of all stripes, because they need to sell stuff or face being a starving artist working a day job to survive. If everybody expects you to produce another “OK Computer”, do you ignore them and give them “Kid A”*? How would it be touring the world singing songs that stopped inspiring you 30 years ago?

As amateurs we have that problem less, but it’s still easy to box ourselves in with expectations. The best way forward IMHO is to try and write what challenges and inspires you, and not (for example) force your characters to have sex when they’d rather share a fragrant, steaming mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows and talk about gnostic philosophy**. But I know that’s not easy. And if nothing is challenging or inspiring, that’s ok too - there is no creative quota to be fulfilled.

*I feel that there are not enough gratuitous Radiohead references here.
**They are 100% going to have sex when they’ve finished that silky smooth hot chocolate.

That's practical. I'm not going to worry about it too much in my main story anymore. After all, small spoiler, the main characters are going to be scaling a mountain with temperatures far below freezing in an upcoming chapter, I think sex will be the last thing on their minds during that one.

"Hey, let's keep warm by fucking!" No, that won't happen!

 

[Actingup]

Given what I assume the age/race/gender demographic breakdowns are around here, there should be Radiohead lyrics oozing out of the WALLS in this place

Based on some of the comments that I get, there should be a lot of Beatles lyrics too!

(more seriously... some of the most insightful, heartfelt comments are from those who have clearly lived a long life and still enjoy reading and writing about sex and relationships, and that's fantastic).

 

[Actingup]

Sorry I know I’m digressing, but straight after writing the previous post, I wandered up to the local Sunday market, and there was a waif/sad girl playing Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ on a ukulele while a giant Gang Gang cockatoo loomed in the mural behind her. If that isn’t a plot bunny for somebody, I don’t know what is.

 

[AlexFourways]

That's practical. I'm not going to worry about it too much in my main story anymore. After all, small spoiler, the main characters are going to be scaling a mountain with temperatures far below freezing in an upcoming chapter, I think sex will be the last thing on their minds during that one.

"Hey, let's keep warm by fucking!" No, that won't happen!

But they could share a different type of intimacy. I the cold and dark discussing their innermost fears 'what if I die here tonight or on this trip?' sort of thing!
I'm thinking how nice it would be to get the reader wondering if they are going to 'get down and dirty', only for the conversation to pause and it be the next day and they have to get going!

 

[PennyThompson]

Sorry I know I’m digressing, but straight after writing the previous post, I wandered up to the local Sunday market, and there was a waif/sad girl playing Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ on a ukulele while a giant Gang Gang cockatoo loomed in the mural behind her. If that isn’t a plot bunny for somebody, I don’t know what is.
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