Pink Orchid 2023: Story Event for Women-Centric Erotica - Official Support Thread

[Biggalute]

Good question and one with which I've struggled too. There's a few of my stories I wish I could swap to a different category in hindsight.

If it goes in Lesbian, where I suspect most readers are male, they have an expectation of wall to wall beaver licking - anything less and they'll be disappointed. So long as you make it clear your romance features some lesbian sex - include it as an introductory paragraph, then you should be okay.

These days I include the intro paragraph with various warnings such as strong language, same sex, transgender sex, nuclear strikes, zombie flesh eaters and alien attacks.

Ha, I was answering but stickygirl beat me to it, and as it happens my advice is the exact opposite

From what I’ve understood, readers in the Lesbian category love romance, the sappier the better, and are not easily put off by lack of sex. I’m not sure how Romance readers handle lesbian stories, but then the readers there are quite communicative so they’ll probably let you know if that’s what you decide.

Thank you both,

 

[AwkwardlySet]

If it goes in Lesbian, where I suspect most readers are male, they have an expectation of wall to wall beaver licking - anything less and they'll be disappointed.

I don't think that is correct. Maybe it used to be, but not anymore in my opinion. If you take a look at that category, the stories that get best ratings in Lesbian Sex are romances, quite a few of them without much sex, most with some drama and a warm, sometimes even a bit boring story.

 

[stickygirl]

Ha, I was answering but stickygirl beat me to it, and as it happens my advice is the exact opposite

From what I’ve understood, readers in the Lesbian category love romance, the sappier the better, and are not easily put off by lack of sex. I’m not sure how Romance readers handle lesbian stories, but then the readers there are quite communicative so they’ll probably let you know if that’s what you decide.

I don't think that is correct. Maybe it used to be, but not anymore in my opinion. If you take a look at that category, the stories that get best ratings in Lesbian Sex are romances, quite a few of them without much sex, most with some drama and a warm, sometimes even a bit boring story.

I have so much to learn. Thanks you two - I appreciate your comments. As you can see, I'm still confounded by the categories!

ETA
What frustrates me is there is little guidance from Lit, but plenty from authors on this topic. It wouldn't be difficult to have a link from the category title to give more information about what to expect in each - it would help readers as well. I'm sure some notable Author has compiled an exhaustive post, stickied somewhere, but not that I've seen... so it can't be well advertised and I've been here ten years.

 

[Biggalute]

I don't think that is correct. Maybe it used to be, but not anymore in my opinion. If you take a look at that category, the stories that get best ratings in Lesbian Sex are romances, quite a few of them without much sex, most with some drama and a warm, sometimes even a bit boring story.

Well mine's warm and maybe a bit boring so should go down well, lol

 

[NotWise]

The Romance category isn't there for stories low on sex. Their bread-and-butter fits the traditional "Romance" formula: A man and woman meet and discover a mutual interest in a relationship, struggle through obstacles to build a relationship, and in the end live happily ever after.

The readers aren't necessarily limited to stories that meet the formula, but that's what readers there expect and reward. A well-written story that stretches those bounds may still be well-received, but I figure a minority of Romance readers will go for a lesbian romance.

I've never published or even read much in Lesbian, but I understand from others that it's a good category for relationship-heavy stories.

 

[MelissaBaby]

My low sexual content, warm but NOT boring romance, Oyster River, got a 4.86 rating in Lesbian Sex, so...

 

[AwkwardlySet]

I have so much to learn. Thanks you two - I appreciate your comments. As you can see, I'm still confounded by the categories!

ETA
What frustrates me is there is little guidance from Lit, but plenty from authors on this topic. It wouldn't be difficult to have a link from the category title to give more information about what to expect in each - it would help readers as well. I'm sure some notable Author has compiled an exhaustive post, stickied somewhere, but not that I've seen... so it can't be well advertised and I've been here ten years.

You were right about what guys want I think In most comments and feedback I get from guys, they usually want juicier stuff, while women ask for more romance and light and playful sex. Myself, I like romance + juicy, both to read and write, so I usually try to reconcile those two.
That makes me think that, while there are plenty of men still reading that category, there is now a solid base of women readers there. I wonder if straight or bi women read Gay Men stories...?

 

[stickygirl]

You were right about what guys want I think In most comments and feedback I get from guys, they usually want juicier stuff, while women ask for more romance and light and playful sex. Myself, I like romance + juicy, both to read and write, so I usually try to reconcile those two.
That makes me think that, while there are plenty of men still reading that category, there is now a solid base of women readers there. I wonder if straight or bi women read Gay Men stories...?

Ask a hundred people and you'll get a hundred different preferences and expectations about the category content. I write in a tricky genre in any guess and cross over all sorts of boundaries. I will continue to be confounded. I have had comments that have said - 'would have done better in romance' and 'should be in T/CD' so you can't please everyone.

 

[TheRedChamber]

ETA
What frustrates me is there is little guidance from Lit, but plenty from authors on this topic. It wouldn't be difficult to have a link from the category title to give more information about what to expect in each - it would help readers as well. I'm sure some notable Author has compiled an exhaustive post, stickied somewhere, but not that I've seen... so it can't be well advertised and I've been here ten years.

I think this is largely for the best. It's probably not good for the site, in a position of authority, to try and define exactly what a category means and stick a big red warning sign outside each one about what is and isn't welcome. If the community around a category wants gentle romance those stories will do better, if they want cunnilinguamania those rise to the top.

 

[Rob_Royale]

cunnilinguamania

See, I knew there was a name for my personal kink, mental illness, obsession, or whatever.

 

[HeyAll]

For the people that posted so far, did you story go to the top of the page?

 

[stickygirl]

For the people that posted so far, did you story go to the top of the page?

In the top 4 or five, but that was the category I opted for - romance. If another category was busy you might be in the top ten but you should be listed as new.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I've finished mine. It'll go into mature. I'll sit on it until the new year and have another look.

If any feels the need to do a beta read, give me a yell.

 

[Omenainen]

For the people that posted so far, did you story go to the top of the page?

Top of what page? Mine is still very near the top at category hub because I posted in Anal, and apparently there’s very few new stories per day

 

[Rob_Royale]

Mine did in Mature, but it didn't stay long.

 

[NotWise]

Top of what page? Mine is still very near the top at category hub because I posted in Anal, and apparently there’s very few new stories per day

I think he means the top of the New Stories list. New contest entries always appear at the top of that list, but I don't think stories in author-organized events usually do.

 

[Omenainen]

I think he means the top of the New Stories list. New contest entries always appear at the top of that list, but I don't think stories in author-organized events usually do.

Right! Mine was near the top, but it could’ve been a coincidence. Yes, I don’t think these stories get a very special treatment since this is only a writer’s challenge and not a competition.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Ha, I was answering but stickygirl beat me to it, and as it happens my advice is the exact opposite

From what I’ve understood, readers in the Lesbian category love romance, the sappier the better, and are not easily put off by lack of sex. I’m not sure how Romance readers handle lesbian stories, but then the readers there are quite communicative so they’ll probably let you know if that’s what you decide.

I've posted lesbian romances in both categories ("A Stringed Instrument" in LS, "AI Era" Loss Function" in Romance). I tend to think of LS as the default category for such stories, but they can do well in either.

LS: what Omen said. There are quite a few male-gaze-y stroke pieces in there, and they have a readership, but overall romances seem to do very well in the voting. I think of ASI as a fairly low-sex story, but I've had more positive than negative comments about that aspect of it.

There are not many lesbian stories posted in Romance, but AFAICT the readership seem to be reasonably accepting of them (or are grown-up enough to move on to the next story). Loss Function got one "this doesn't belong here" comment which I assume was about the lesbian angle, but everybody else was nice and it's scored very well there.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

I don't know if this will work, because I've never requested an edit on a story. If all goes well, a story of mine from early 2022, which I have resubmitted, will get new text, a different category, and be linked to Pink Orchid. If my request is denied, so be it.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

I don't know if this will work, because I've never requested an edit on a story. If all goes well, a story of mine from early 2022, which I have resubmitted, will get new text, a different category, and be linked to Pink Orchid. If my request is denied, so be it.

The revision has been posted. 'Pink Orchid 2023' is one of the tags, but when I searched, the story wasn't listed. Maybe later.

https://literotica.com/s/dees-journal-to-be-not-lonely

This was my first use of the edit process, and I learned a few things. As stated in the FAQ, the views, votes, and other metadata carry over to the the revision. All of my requests were granted, including the changes to the title and category. The posting date, however, has not changed, and this version will not get a second stretch of seven days on the New roll, or be placed at the top of the Erotic Couplings hub. All of that seems fair.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I'm making progress on two suitable stories. If anyone is interested in beta-reading (non-Brit-picking to ensure that there aren't totally confusing sentences for foreigners would be helpful), let me know. Should have drafts in the next couple weeks...

One is lesbian sex, not very romantic but not a stroker for men either; the other is a femdom BDSM story (sequel to Strength is a Caged Cock, same characters but not needing to have seen that one first).

Another story where I'd like a beta reader has a trans woman main character, but I doubt I'd put it in this event even if I finish it, as it would just be a red flag to the trolls.

Could probably read a story in exchange, depending on content, length, and my free time.

 

[Rob_Royale]

The revision has been posted. 'Pink Orchid 2023' is one of the tags, but when I searched, the story wasn't listed. Maybe later.

You needed to put Pink Orchid in the notes to the editor box.

I'm making progress on two suitable stories. If anyone is interested in beta-reading (non-Brit-picking to ensure that there aren't totally confusing sentences for foreigners would be helpful), let me know. Should have drafts in the next couple weeks...

One is lesbian sex, not very romantic but not a stroker for men either; the other is a femdom BDSM story (sequel to Strength is a Caged Cock, same characters but not needing to have seen that one first).

Could probably read a story in exchange, depending on content, length, and my free time.

I'd be happy to do either or both. My story is already posted, if you'd like to read that and drop me a comment, that would be great.

 

[NotWise]

You needed to put Pink Orchid in the notes to the editor box.

It's odd. The story is tagged with "pink orchid 2023" but I haven't been able to find it by doing a tag search for "pink orchid 2023." Maybe it'll appear on the event page or maybe not (its publication date is not in the event window), but it still seems like it should appear in the tag search.

 

[Rob_Royale]

It should be appearing here once it is posted.
https://tags.literotica.com/pink orchid 2023/
Per the guidelines - 4. You must include the phrase "PINK ORCHID" in the "Notes to Admin" field so that Lit can find the stories and add them to the challenge.
I don't think that's the same thing as tagging, you might have to contact the site admin.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

You needed to put Pink Orchid in the notes to the editor box.

I did that. I think the story will show up in the search eventually, there have been delays like this before.