Looking for Advise, How do I know if I am submitting my stories to the right category.

[xXCourtJesterXx]

Jester, here

I am new to writing erotic literature. I know its a tired trope, but I've been writing a story with "X-Change" gender transformation themes. I am now starting to think I've been publishing my works under the wrong category. I have been using the Sci-Fi & Fantasy. I decided not to use the TRANSGENDER & CROSSDRESSERS due to the fact the characters are not trans or crossdressers but, have been transformed into the opposite sex. I have seen other stories published here under the TRANSGENDER & CROSSDRESSERS, should I start to use this category instead of the Sci-Fi one?

I would appreciate any feedback, thank you all!

 

[ElectricBlue]

Jester, here

I am new to writing erotic literature. I know its a tired trope, but I've been writing a story with "X-Change" gender transformation themes. I am now starting to think I've been publishing my works under the wrong category. I have been using the Sci-Fi & Fantasy. I decided not to use the TRANSGENDER & CROSSDRESSERS due to the fact the characters are not trans or crossdressers but, have been transformed into the opposite sex. I have seen other stories published here under the TRANSGENDER & CROSSDRESSERS, should I start to use this category instead of the Sci-Fi one?

I would appreciate any feedback, thank you all!

I'd say yes.

Keep in mind that the categories were set up twenty years ago, when transgender had different meanings and connotations than it does today. Now, in 2024, I'd say your story would run okay there. You can resubmit (same story title plus EDIT), and ask Laurel to change the category. That way, you'll keep all scores and comments. You won't get another run on the category front page though.

 

[Bamagan]

I basically agree with EB. That it's a fantasy story doesn't change the fact that simply taking a pill and instantly changing sex would be wish fulfilment for many people who are or could be termed transgender. If that's the part of your story that's intended to be sexy, then TG/C probably is the best category to reach an audience that finds it sexy.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Jester, here

I am new to writing erotic literature. I know its a tired trope, but I've been writing a story with "X-Change" gender transformation themes. I am now starting to think I've been publishing my works under the wrong category. I have been using the Sci-Fi & Fantasy. I decided not to use the TRANSGENDER & CROSSDRESSERS due to the fact the characters are not trans or crossdressers but, have been transformed into the opposite sex. I have seen other stories published here under the TRANSGENDER & CROSSDRESSERS, should I start to use this category instead of the Sci-Fi one?

I would appreciate any feedback, thank you all!

X-Change is a fairly common theme in T/CD.

I'd suggest that the deciding factor is the overriding theme of the story. If the gender swap and its ramifications is the driving theme, then T/CD. If the story happens in a sci-fi setting and the gender swap is just a trope, the Sci-Fi.

As an example, I'm getting ready to publish a story in gay male about two men building a relationship. Part of that relationship is that one of the men is a cross dresser. The main theme, though, is the overall relationship between the men. The cross dressing is just something they need to deal with. So, gay male. I hope that makes sense...

 

[xXCourtJesterXx]

Thank you all for the help. I think I will move categories moving forward. I would hate to inconvenience Laurel with such a minor issue.

 

[RejectReality]

Feels like a tossup to me. The readership levels are about the same. ( Assuming a lower level in Sci-Fi & Fantasy because of the particular kink. A more traditional kink would be higher reader levels. )

May as well try out T&CD and see what happens. Anything with Sci-Fi or Supernatural elements outside the 4 categories that cater to them is always risky, but there's probably a concentration of readers and authors in T&CD caused by hostility to those themes in other real world categories. You get a lot of leeway from the readers in Gay Male for that reason, and I would imagine T&CD is the same.