New forum topic?

[sheablue]

Does anyone know if it is possible to get a new forum topic added to the Main Literotica Forum? Is this something that only Laurel and Manu decide? Is it something one could ask them?

 

[RawHumor]

A new subforum?

They get added now and then. The Fetish forum is kinda new. The Politics forum is pretty new.

And yes, only Laurel and Manu could do this. What are you looking for?

I just realized you might be talking about story categories. The answer is still Laurel and Manu, but I suspect that might be a tougher one to fly.

 

[sheablue]

I'd like to see one added that focused on the sci-fi/horror/fantasy genres. There are a lot of ways that could go, and interesting topics to cover, research, ideas, inspirations, sub-genres, and how to write them. It might be too much information to just be covered in on thread in the AH.

It's a category that does not get enough love, in my opinion, and maybe people discussing and putting their heads together could elevate that category and those types of stories.

 

[RejectReality]

I wouldn't hold my breath for that. Sci-Fi/Fantasy is not something that gets much play here.

I predict she's going to say that's something that can be handled within the Authors' Hangout as topics, rather than a forum section, or even a Sub-forum of the AH.

 

[sheablue]

I guess it can't hurt to ask?

That's exactly why I'd like to see it. I think that could be a really great category, if it got some real attention. I wrote a blog post recently about sci-fi, horror and fantasy, and why they are such a great fit for erotica. Outside darkness vs. internal, fear and exploration of The Other, outside ourselves and within, etc.

It seems like such a no-brainer, I've always wondered why those categories didn't get much play here.

Now, someone remind me the best way to get in touch with Laurel these days?

 

[RejectReality]

http://forum.literotica.com/member.php?u=7

There's her profile page. PM is always the way to go.

As to why the genre doesn't get much play here: I think it's because the biggest part of such stories are concentrating on the world, characters, and magic/technology, with the erotic elements falling down far on the ranking of importance.

There's nothing wrong with that, but if someone is looking for that, they're more than likely checking out sites that specialize in the genre, where there's a wider variety -- just minus the sex.

The lion's share of people here are looking for something to get off to. The genre just doesn't "get to the point" quickly enough for them.

 

[sheablue]

Thanks, RR. I'm going to ask, see what she says.

I agree with you, but I'm not sure it HAS to be that way. I think there can be a balance between the world building and the sex.

Or perhaps I'm totally wrong. Maybe Lit isn't the place for this category, or for stories in these genres to do well. I think horror probably does a lot better than sci-fi and fantasy, because there isn't as much world building needed for a horror story.

I will admit the stories I wrote in these categories here did ok, but not great. Which is why I took most of them off and am trying to embark on a selling on Amazon adventure, specifically in these categories. I've heard it's a good category to try to sell on Amazon, but man, that whole self-promotion/self-publishing thing is hard work!

I digress. I think these categories could be better here, if there were discussions about it, tips on how to write more for the Lit crowd, perhaps.

Thanks for the advice and link. I appreciate it.

 

[RejectReality]

I think the only thing that will really drive up the traffic of the category is a lot more short stories. There are a lot of epics, and a lot of stroke scenes, but not many sex-heavy short stories that have what the general readership is looking for.

That's generally counter to the purpose of a specific forum section such as your talking about, though. The first thing you have to do as a Sci-Fi/Fantasy author to write that type of story is seriously curtail your urge to world-build.

 

[sheablue]

Now see, that's right up my alley. I don't write stroke stories, and I don't write epics, I tend to write stories that are no more than 3 Lit pages, and I like to think I resist my urge to world build too much.

Maybe I just need to write a hell of a lot more stories in these genres.

I really believe it can be done. But maybe that's because that's what I like to do?

An example is my story, A Flower Blooms in the Dark, which is the only story I still have on my list, in one of those genres. I hint at the world, but don't go into too much detail. Granted, there isn't any sex in it, but there was always meant to me more chapters where the sex would happen, I just haven't gotten back to it yet.

 

[Learin]

IMHO, Sci-Fi category readers are more serious about the plot/story than erotica itself. I've seen some really good stories with a red H having little to no sex in its contents. Same with Loving Wives. Minus the vitriol that gets spewed about, I think some readers provide very honest opinion on stories. The scenario looks much better than the readers of other categories from what I've seen in here.


Urm...I'll stop here. I guess I'm veering off topic.

 

[Black_and_White_Writer]

I wouldn't hold my breath for that. Sci-Fi/Fantasy is not something that gets much play here.

I predict she's going to say that's something that can be handled within the Authors' Hangout as topics, rather than a forum section, or even a Sub-forum of the AH.

I love those genres the best for erotica.

 

[Handley_Page]

I suggest you poll a few other parts and garner some support for your idea.

 

[Black_and_White_Writer]

IMHO, Sci-Fi category readers are more serious about the plot/story than erotica itself. I've seen some really good stories with a red H having little to no sex in its contents. Same with Loving Wives. Minus the vitriol that gets spewed about, I think some readers provide very honest opinion on stories. The scenario looks much better than the readers of other categories from what I've seen in here.


Urm...I'll stop here. I guess I'm veering off topic.

I don't think you are.

 

[sheablue]

IMHO, Sci-Fi category readers are more serious about the plot/story than erotica itself. I've seen some really good stories with a red H having little to no sex in its contents. Same with Loving Wives. Minus the vitriol that gets spewed about, I think some readers provide very honest opinion on stories. The scenario looks much better than the readers of other categories from what I've seen in here.


Urm...I'll stop here. I guess I'm veering off topic.

I don't think you're off topic at all. I think in this/these categories, people who are fans don't mind that there is more story or world-building than in other categories. They expect it and are ok with it.

I think these genres, this category could become much more impressive with a little bit of love.

Anyway, I've asked Laurel but haven't heard back. I'm sure she's busy with contest stuff right now.

 

[lovecraft68]

Problem will be "well if there is one for sci/fi etc..." how come there isn't one for Gay male, incest, group etc..? Why should sci fi get their own sub forum will be the question.

And I think I would be one asking that question, why would one-any-category get their own forum?

And as for my personal opinion-as a reader, lit member more than an author-being this is an erotica site if a category was going to get its own forum it shouldn't be the ones that in general contain the least erotica.

 

[lovecraft68]

I suggest you poll a few other parts and garner some support for your idea.

I know that poll for the new bisexual category worked out very well.

 

[sr71plt]

I've been sitting on my hands on this thread. Best of luck to you, shea, but there is a long line of requests for added sub-forums and categories. The bi one was given some hope for eighteen months before Laurel said (in an irrelevant forum) that she never had considered opening that one. It's fine, though, if you can get some response where many others have failed on other such requests.

 

[Rozalin_0123]

It's kind of surprising that there isn't a place to discuss specific categories. I mean, creating sub-forums isn't that difficult. Wouldn't take much time to create Story Category Discussion with each category listed under that. It would generate a lot of discussion between fans of specific genres, trading favorite stories or discussing the things they would like to read.

I also feel SciFi/Fantasy is a very slept on category. The story potential is limitless, unlike that of say Incest, First Time, or Loving Wives. You don't HAVE to build worlds as much as you have to establish a sense of wonder. You can do that in very few words, and it gives readers a reason to come back for more.

And since it was brought up, Bi-Sex really needs its own category. Those stories have nowhere to go...

 

[RejectReality]

Bi absolutely needs a category.

Narrow sub-forums such as this would most likely become ghost towns where only a handful of people post infrequently. About the only advantage over creating threads in the AH would be the ease of locating specific discussions.

It's kind of surprising that there isn't a place to discuss specific categories. I mean, creating sub-forums isn't that difficult. Wouldn't take much time to create Story Category Discussion with each category listed under that. It would generate a lot of discussion between fans of specific genres, trading favorite stories or discussing the things they would like to read.

I also feel SciFi/Fantasy is a very slept on category. The story potential is limitless, unlike that of say Incest, First Time, or Loving Wives. You don't HAVE to build worlds as much as you have to establish a sense of wonder. You can do that in very few words, and it gives readers a reason to come back for more.

And since it was brought up, Bi-Sex really needs its own category. Those stories have nowhere to go...

 

[sr71plt]

Bi absolutely needs a category.

Narrow sub-forums such as this would most likely become ghost towns where only a handful of people post infrequently. About the only advantage over creating threads in the AH would be the ease of locating specific discussions.

The AH has become a bit of a ghost town itself.

 

[RejectReality]

It's the readership that doesn't give Sci-Fi & Fantasy the love. Authors are producing plenty of work. Sci-Fi&Fantasy is #12 on the list of categories with the most posted submissions ( out of 31 )

If you add NonHuman, which parallels the category more often than not, it would be #5.

There's plenty of work in the genre. The readership just isn't as keen on it as they are for other categories.

 

[SecondCircle]

On Bisex material, I have had good results posting bisex elements in Group Sex category. This is still limiting. But it's better than nothing.

 

[sr71plt]

What form of bisex? That's also a problem here. FMF, FFM, MMF, MFM aren't the same turn ons and one can be turned on by one and put off by another. I see tension and reticence in the LGBT forum here in lumping them all together for thread discussions. (Not to mention that some straights drop in and post as if it's a straight forum.)

I would consider putting FFM in Group, but, after some experimentation with it, I wouldn't put MMF or MFM there with any hopes of a favorable read.

That would be (and I think has been) an argument for not starting into the bi categories--that to do it well, it would be several. Of course we have, what, 21 or so straight categories here (and could use more).

Another argument would be (and has been) that the whole category split is going to go away "soon" in a total redo of the Web site. Of course, the "soon" is pushing a decade in actually showing up, though.

 

[lovecraft68]

It's the readership that doesn't give Sci-Fi & Fantasy the love. Authors are producing plenty of work. Sci-Fi&Fantasy is #12 on the list of categories with the most posted submissions ( out of 31 )

If you add NonHuman, which parallels the category more often than not, it would be #5.

There's plenty of work in the genre. The readership just isn't as keen on it as they are for other categories.

Low readership.is most likely due to the fact lit is predomin known as an erotica site. People looking for sci fi horror...non human are not thinking to look here.

 

[lovecraft68]

I agree sub categories for each genre would be ghost towns. The writing forums here have nowhere near ths traffic of other forums.

The story discussion forum-which is open to every category is a ghost town.

Story feedback has a handful of regular contributors and that's it.

I sent a pm to laurel a few weeks ago asking about starting a poll to see if there would be interest
In a sports chat sub forum in th gb

No response.