Author's advice

[gerardo]

I've read some excellent erotica on this site ...there are a few stories I find myself retuning to again and again, because with a little passage of time, they thrill again and again.
Anyway I'm dying to start my first erotic masterpeice, but I'm wondering ..if I post to the web, do I give up ownership ? If I become a world famous writer of erotic literature, will I get royalties ? This is important stuff. How many Dommes do you think would find me useful if I were filthy rich ?? ? I'm guessing I could have a very strict demanding Domme in weeks, not to mention pretty too <S>
Maybe I could start out half speeed .....no ..not practical ..that's like asking Michelanagelo to just carve a statue ..nothing fancy..just the basic shape. It just doesn't work ...once the muse takes over, the skie's the limit

 

[Guest]

 

[dr_mabeuse]

If you post your stuff to Literotica, you retain all author's rights, and if you decide to publish them for pay, Laurel will take the stories down for you.

---dr.M.

 

[flawed_ethics]

If I may...

Bear in mind that while you will retain the copyright(s), being on the web, stories are bound to be reprinted without permission and/or plagerized to no end. It happens on a regular basis, sadly, and it's awfully difficult to control. Lit does a good job (Laurel and Manu are quite persistent), and you can go after the culprits too, of course. Just beware of releasing the genie from the bottle.

Don't let that stop you from getting your feet wet. It's just that if you do intend to publish on print, maybe you should hold your best stories for the book.

 

[MaxSebastian]

This is important stuff. How many Dommes do you think would find me useful if I were filthy rich ??

Where do I sign up to become "filthy rich"?

 

[gerardo]

Good advice

Thanks for the words of wisdom.
I think flawed ethics hit the nail on the head .....I'll hold on to the "gold" the stuff that's really good, and post some ramblings just to get started.

Thanks flawed ethics.

 

[snooper]

Short stories pay peanuts, ie a fixed fee with no royalties.

Novels and anthologies of shortstories pay royalties, ie so much per copy sold.

So posting on Lit costs you relatively little in "lost" revenue, but gets you a lot of comment, which is always useful.

I wouldn't post a book on here, but (some) people have read my teaser short story on here and then bought (some of) the books; I know because their feedback says so!

 

[gerardo]

Congrats

Snooper,
Hey I'm honored ! Congratulations on your published works ! That is just fantastic. All of your books sound great, but the space series sounds particularly interesting.
I'm wondering. ..do you still get the same thrill from your personal fantasies after you've written about them extensively ? Or does sharing them with others detract from their power to excite you ?
Thanks for posting and I hope one day you'll read one of my humble efforts.

 

[snooper]

Re: Congrats

... I'm wondering. ..do you still get the same thrill from your personal fantasies after you've written about them extensively ?

It often worries people when I say that my books do not turn me on. I write BDSM but I have never even spanked anyone, or been spanked (not since I was ten years old), let alone used a whip or handcuffs or any of that sort of thing.

So please do not confuse carefully thought out marketing policy with personal predilections. For pleasure, I read romance; for money I write cruelty.

 

[gerardo]

Fascinating

Well Snooper, it certainly wouldn't worry me one way or the other, but I do find it suprising and interesting.
You must have a very fertile imagination to write the BDSM persona convincingly.
I'm also suprised that it outsells romance. Does that mean that BDSM is not the "niche" market I imagine it to be ?
Well, anyway you've given me food for thought. Maybe I should read your books for pleaure and write romance for money

 

[snooper]

Re: Fascinating

... You must have a very fertile imagination to write the BDSM persona convincingly...

No. BDSM is very formulaic, but it sells well.

One of the best sellers at the moment is a "novel" about the Gestapo in occupied France during WWII which has no plot, only a single common character linking a series of scenes of totally depraved sadism.

At least I put a proper plot in my books, which is, I suppose, why they don't sell as well as his. The plot and characters get in the way of the violence.

 

[gerardo]

Wow

Snooper,
I am stunnned. I just cannot imagine anyone reading a book about something like the Gastopo with anything but utter horrer. No ..that type of thing is way out of anything I'd be remotely interested in even reading much less writing.
When talk BDSM I'm talking about a lovely but wicked Dominatrix with heels and a riding crop. You know ...good clean fun.
Well actually I guess I'd really be more into the D/s stuff ..that's more my type of thing. All adult consensual relationships, of course.
No ..the type of thing I'd be interested in would require some imagination ..it's the psychology of Female Domination for example that I find so intriguing and stimulating.
Now you've really got me curious about your stories ..could you give me the URL for your "teaser" story ?
Thank you !

 

[snooper]

Re: Wow

...could you give me the URL for your "teaser" story ?

Roll up, roll up, roll up for the finest story of the Century here.

I would point out that the Gestapo book I mentioned is not/b] written by me.

 

[KarenAM]

Literotica is a great place to learn about writing erotica, and to get feedback on your work and ideas. I've published a novel with a Science-Fiction bondage theme, and two of my stores here are set in the same universe. The feedback on my stories helps tell me if I'm writing convincingly about bondage, which I've never done much of in real life.

As to people spreading my Literotica work around the internet, I don't mind so long as I'm still given credit for writing it and someone else isn't making money off of it. The novel would be another matter entirely, which the publisher would pursue.

 

[gerardo]

<applause><applause>

Bravo ! Nicely Done !
I just finished reading "Need and Redemption" and I have to tell you Karen, that is HOT. I mean I'm a guy, and I don't have a dominant bone in my body, but the way you built the "need" in that story had me practically begging ! By the end of the story I was hard as a rock. And I'll confess something else to you. I am completely hetero ...but I felt a little jealous of that slave girl !
(Don't tell anybody <S>) The hot juicy 3 some ending put me right over the top. WHEW ..it's warm in here.
Well you obviously are a true submissive by nature ..you'd have to be to write that character so well.
I also read your other 2 stories which were also held my attention throughout. I was quite suprised at the change in tone (very appropriate) you were able to adopt from the sci fi to the romance. I was really hoping for a juicy sex scene with the biker ..but hey that's me.
Thank you for a great read Karen.

 

[gerardo]

Well written

Snooper,
I read through A Hunting We Will Go with great interest. You are obviously a very accomplished writer - the story had the feel of a professional novelist. Some of the elements I found to be very erotic, but others I just didn't understand. For example, I don't get the part about surgically altering people ...I presume that some people find this to be a turn on in some way.
But that of course is just a personal preference and has nothing to do with the capability of the author. THat's just not my idea of BDSM or D/s.
But you absolutely do create an other world, and transport the reader there...the escapist element is nicely done.
I think I get the idea of what you referred to as being formulaic. It's sort of a Marque De Sade meets "The Most Dangerous Game".
Nice Job.

 

[snooper]

Re: Well written

Nice Job.

<blush> <blush>

 

[KarenAM]

Thanks, gerardo! That's high praise, and it encourages me to keep writing! There's more fiction based on that science fiction world, of course, not all of which is posted here at Lit. As long as folks like it, I expect I'll keep writing it.

 

[gerardo]

Yes do !

Oh yes. Keep on writing Karen.
I wonder if I could write a fantasy which would appeal to women -like you. I guess I've obsessed about my own fantasies so much I never thought of what might appeal to the contradictory gender. Hmm I wonder if I could write with the same passion you have about a submissive slave girl ?
It's so hard for guys to think like women. I'd probably come up with something laughable ...still I might give it a try. Maybe you have inspired me

 

[SadieRose]

Re: If I may...

stories are bound to be reprinted without permission and/or plagerized to no end. It happens on a regular basis, sadly, and it's awfully difficult to control. Lit does a good job (Laurel and Manu are quite persistent), and you can go after the culprits too, of course.

Stuff does get nicked and so far I've no response at all from the webmasters here about the material I had stolen in spite of reporting it weeks ago.

The matter is now in the hands of my solicitors.

Thank U and good night.

 

[gerardo]

good line

"Her friends say she's a dumb blonde, but they don't know she dyes her hair..."
Thomas Dolby; "Airhead"

FUNNY !

 

[KarenAM]

I wonder if I could write a fantasy which would appeal to women -like you. I guess I've obsessed about my own fantasies so much I never thought of what might appeal to the contradictory gender. Hmm I wonder if I could write with the same passion you have about a submissive slave girl ?

There's no reason men can't write stuff that appeals to women. If your fantasies are heterosexual, as yours are, just put yourself in your partner's head and write about how good the man is making her feel. Write about how much she enjoys being a woman and how good it feels and how good his body, so different from hers, feels. As to slave girls, the real pleasure of writing about them is when they aren't totally submissive. Sex and erotica thrive on tension. In Susan's case in "Need and Redemption", she is struggling with her sexual desire against her desire to be free. That gives the story an extra charge. I put similar tension in both my novel and "In The Now".

It's so hard for guys to think like women. I'd probably come up with something laughable ...still I might give it a try. Maybe you have inspired me

Do give it a try if you feel inspired. Writing things that challenge you is good for you.

 

[gerardo]

You are so right !

Karen,
Yes yes ..I see what you mean about the tension. When I think of it, my personal fantasy is all tension. In my fantasy, an assertive woman gradually "trains" the male (me) to drop the role he plays to fit societies expecations, and accept his true nature as her subordinate. But it is all done through tension ....that is the woman adeptly manipulates his (my) desire to keep him on constant edge. Oh yes ..I understand. Excellent.
Yes. Thank you

 

[Lying Eyes]

There's no reason men can't write stuff that appeals to women.

I agree! I wrote my first story and recieved some flattering feedback from women. One said she found it hard to believe a guy wrote it. So if an amateur like me can write something that connects with some women then I am sure that most male authors can do it.

 

[gerardo]

Can I read it ?

I agree! I wrote my first story and recieved some flattering feedback from women.

Hey that's great slicknhb. I'd like to read your story ..did you get published on Literotica ? Can I get the link ?
Thanks !