Authors who first published in Lit then stopped

[Brutal_One]

I am curious. As a writer of sex stories for some time for personal consumption and reading once I had a story that had enough plot and character development and could come to a natural conclusion I decided to submit to Lit,

Long story short having written in 27 parts I elected to convert and edit to a novel. It’s published in smashwords and has had some sales but I have not marketed it.

But main point I guess is what the process and experience gave me. The AH and my posts over the period and responses were a big help and a good part of the enjoyment of writing.

I plan to write in future and have a good idea for plot and story.

But it will not be an erotic / sex story so no plans to publish here.

Just curious - I know there are a lot of regular contributers to AH.

Q: Do you ever write and publish non Lit suitable works as well as continuing to write and submit here? For me the work I felt suited Lit was published and part of that process helped me finalise it for the final version. But that need I guess has been satisfied. I still pop bye and it’s funny to read posts on the same type of things. Anyone else who still visits and posts to AH have similar non Lit writing and what difference (if any) do you find between the process of actually writing and publishing?

Brutal One

 

[ElectricBlue]

Q: Do you ever write and publish non Lit suitable works as well as continuing to write and submit here? For me the work I felt suited Lit was published and part of that process helped me finalise it for the final version. But that need I guess has been satisfied. I still pop bye and it’s funny to read posts on the same type of things. Anyone else who still visits and posts to AH have similar non Lit writing and what difference (if any) do you find between the process of actually writing and publishing?

I tried some self-publication of content first written for Lit.

The time to prepare quality ebook and print book content versus the dollar return I got from it - simply not worth it. I have another commercial activity that pays far far more per hour than anything I'll ever receive from writing, so if I want to make an extra buck, I do the other.

I'm still in the red and have no intention of going further backwards. It was a self indulgence, satisfied. But I have some nice little books on a bookshelf .

 

[KeithD]

Do you ever write and publish non Lit suitable works as well as continuing to write and submit here?

Yes. When I started submitting here (both erotica and nonerotica), I didn't stop writing mainstream works for the marketplace (through publishers). I'm not the only one here doing that.

As far as making money, I've always made more money editing books for publishers (my retirement career) than I do from publishing my own writing either in the mainstream or erotica. And I make more money from my government annuity than from either editing or writing. (And I make even more money from having married advantageously than any of the above. *smile*).

I don't think I could feel free enough to write if I had to pay the bills from doing so.

 

[TxRad]

Why stop publishing at Lit?

For me Mainstream is a job. Lit is for fun.

Like Keith, I don't make a mint off mainstream but I do make money. Four times a year, I get a check. Some quarters are better than others. Young Adult novels are around 50-60K each. I've written one in less than a month and some take two months. Editing, proofing, publishing take twice as long or more. I have a dozen out now under three pen names. There are five more ready for release.

My output to Lit has slowed down over the years since I started mainstream publishing. I'm not talking self publishing. I'm talking about a real publishing house. In fact three divisions of the same house. It all started with a non-erotic story here at Lit.

Today, I received a comment on an old story. A story I had to go reread because I couldn't remember it. The comment called it a fun read. It is, I must say. Lit taught me to write and to have fun doing it. I still write here because it is relaxing and fun.

The best of both worlds is enjoying what you do and getting paid for it.

 

[LexxRuthless]

I'm a part-time, strictly amateur author and I have only published here.

Right after I started writing and posting stories on this site, I went back to look for some of the more memorable stories I'd read over the years. What I found was a pattern that recurred with the majority of those authors. There were about seventeen authors who had written 2 or 3 really good stories that had stuck in my mind for over a decade. Most of them had written a couple of short series and a handful of other stories, and then they abruptly quit writing after 2-3 years of activity.

This observation doesn't answer your question--obviously I'm not qualified to do so--but what I have noticed over the years is that the majority of writers who write more than a single entry on this site will be active for a couple years and then they quit. The authors who were exceptions are mostly still writing and posting stories now.

 

[theMasterBaiter]

I think often people only have a few deep stories in them. They tell thise stories and are done. Pehaps thats best. I know Ive cranked out one or two that are purely derivative "stroke" stories, funny thing is they are the higher rated stories, but are favorited less.

I published a short book on Amazon. Its sold a few copies at a buck each; nothing to write home about. Good reviews though.

Publishing on lit reaches a different audience. Sometimes that is good.

 

[TadOverdon]

I always publish on Smashwords before I publish here.

 

[oggbashan]

People often stop publishing for Lit because their other publisher asks that the same story isn't available elsewhere for free, or that they don't want their mainstream author associated with a porn site.

That is why some people disappear from Lit.

Very few people make real money from online publishing. Most conventional book authors couldn't live on their writing income. The figures for public lending rights payments from UK libraries for author's books borrowed from libraries are usually less than £100 per year before taxes.

 

[Ada Stuart]

Q: Do you ever write and publish non Lit suitable works as well as continuing to write and submit here?

Absolutely. I self-publish most of what I write, but I still enjoy posting to Lit because of the comments and all the readers. I often write a short story based on an idea I have, and after getting a lot of feedback and new ideas from the readers, I expand the stories and publish them. Besides, Lit is a good place to experiment with new genres and to evolve as a writer.

As for income, I've been lucky to keep the expenses so low that I'm earning a bit more every year. But, you need a lot of titles (10 at the minimum) before you see some results. And you need to publish in the right genres. Right now I have 33 titles and two different pen names, but it feels like I've barely started since there's so much more to learn.

Still, I'm keeping the day job where I can use my left brain and earn a lot more. I don't think I could ever write full-time anyway. I have to say that I really admire those that can do it and make a living out of it because it's a lot of hard work.

Anyone else who still visits and posts to AH have similar non Lit writing and what difference (if any) do you find between the process of actually writing and publishing?

There's a major difference between those two. When I write, I'm only concerned about telling the story and editing it. But when it comes to publishing I have to consider what the publishers will not accept in terms of content, language, etc. People never bother to read trigger warnings, even if they should. And large companies run this automatic check that stops whenever they encounter words they don't like. But the bottom line is that you have to make your book sell by making a good cover and writing the blurb so that the reader just has to buy it. I think I spend a lot more time writing that blurb than I spend writing ch 1.

And then there's always the part where you need to format your book so that you can upload it, before dealing with all the error messages.

Basically, it's a lot of fun when it's finally online. But getting there can take a bit more time than you enjoy.

That said, it's worth it

 

[windar]

I haven't written anything for Lit except one very short story on a lark, but I've written quite a few novella length stories on another free site and published on an ebook site where they've sold decently (despite their content being indecent). Most of them are on Smashwords as well and have done OK.

I couldn't live on what I earn, but I only publish a few times a year. Could one do so if one made it a full-time job? Possibly, but at least for me that would kill any enjoyment.

I don't think I would have had the confidence to put anything on the ebook site without having gotten lots of positive comments on the free site. As far as content, the only sites I've had issues with are Amazon and here. As far as the writing process, writing is writing. I find the audiences between free and ebook sites are non-overlapping, but similar in taste, so I write what pleases me and my co-author and a few other people seem to like it, which is nice.

I'm looking to try something more mainstream, either crime, which I have written, though it had enough sex and other stuff to be labelled erotica, or something non-fiction, probably popular science (can I sneak some sex in there?).

 

[gordo12]

I am curious. As a writer of sex stories for some time for personal consumption and reading once I had a story that had enough plot and character development and could come to a natural conclusion I decided to submit to Lit,

Long story short having written in 27 parts I elected to convert and edit to a novel. It’s published in smashwords and has had some sales but I have not marketed it.

But main point I guess is what the process and experience gave me. The AH and my posts over the period and responses were a big help and a good part of the enjoyment of writing.

I plan to write in future and have a good idea for plot and story.

But it will not be an erotic / sex story so no plans to publish here.

Just curious - I know there are a lot of regular contributers to AH.

Q: Do you ever write and publish non Lit suitable works as well as continuing to write and submit here? For me the work I felt suited Lit was published and part of that process helped me finalise it for the final version. But that need I guess has been satisfied. I still pop bye and it’s funny to read posts on the same type of things. Anyone else who still visits and posts to AH have similar non Lit writing and what difference (if any) do you find between the process of actually writing and publishing?

Brutal One

I still publish here but for the future, it will be infrequent.

Out there I have two books published. One is doing well, the other languishing. I'm currently experimenting with marketing. I've more than made my costs back for covers and conversion. My first royalty payment (smash) was in Oct and it made a hell of a difference about how I felt about my writing. I still remember the first purchase notification from Smash popping into my email. I opened it and thought...fuck, I'm a paid author. Having people PAY is a real upper. And you don't get the kind of comments you get here.

There are stories that are too short for a novella or novel. Similar subject ones can be posted in a box set or anthology. But some content defies categorizing. Especially here.

My sights are firmly set out there now. I'm looking forward to the future and seeing what I can do.

 

[windar]

I still publish here but for the future, it will be infrequent.

Out there I have two books published. One is doing well, the other languishing. I'm currently experimenting with marketing. I've more than made my costs back for covers and conversion. My first royalty payment (smash) was in Oct and it made a hell of a difference about how I felt about my writing. I still remember the first purchase notification from Smash popping into my email. I opened it and thought...fuck, I'm a paid author. Having people PAY is a real upper. And you don't get the kind of comments you get here.

There are stories that are too short for a novella or novel. Similar subject ones can be posted in a box set or anthology. But some content defies categorizing. Especially here.

My sights are firmly set out there now. I'm looking forward to the future and seeing what I can do.

Congrats. Yeah, it's a good feeling to see someone forking over actual money for something you wrote. I'm curious if you get comments on Smash. I've sold a fair number of books there, but haven't gotten comments or ratings. Even on the primary ebook site I publish on they are few and far between. But I'll take sales over stars any day...

 

[KeithD]

I'm curious if you get comments on Smash.

I do occasionally. I don't look for them, but my publisher sends them on when he sees them. He linked this one to me from a couple of weeks ago:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1122540

 

[Bramblethorn]

Q: Do you ever write and publish non Lit suitable works as well as continuing to write and submit here? For me the work I felt suited Lit was published and part of that process helped me finalise it for the final version. But that need I guess has been satisfied. I still pop bye and it’s funny to read posts on the same type of things. Anyone else who still visits and posts to AH have similar non Lit writing and what difference (if any) do you find between the process of actually writing and publishing?

Brutal One

I also post stories on Smashwords and Ao3. Mostly cross-posted from Literotica, along with one story on Ao3 that doesn't fit here.

When I put my first Literotica story up on Smashwords, I did some light editing to make it a little more coherent as a novel rather than a 12-part series. I also made a non-explicit version because I thought some readers might want the story but not the porn. (This is possibly the wrongest I've ever been about anything. That version has sold two copies. Lesson learned.)

If I'm writing with the intention of posting on Literotica, I'll make sure there's a bit of sex in the story, and I'll make sure it's compliant with Literotica rules. Mostly I start with the story content and choose whichever sites fit, then tailor the details to those sites.

 

[gordo12]

Congrats. Yeah, it's a good feeling to see someone forking over actual money for something you wrote. I'm curious if you get comments on Smash. I've sold a fair number of books there, but haven't gotten comments or ratings. Even on the primary ebook site I publish on they are few and far between. But I'll take sales over stars any day...

Both books had 5-star ratings within 24 hours and still maintain that. Activity at first, but then nothing for comments. I suspect (hope) everyone else agrees and sees no reason to vote them down.

But I've been known to be delusional.

 

[lovecraft68]

Reviews aren't common, especially on extreme things like incest/non con and bestiality as SW allows all of those. Like here even though people can make up names, they're wary of posting anything.

For the hell of it, I took two minutes to do a count. I have 133 reviews on SW...over 11 years and closing in on 200 titles. Many books have no reviews, some have a few each, the most is 9 on a book from 2011.

As for 'downvoting' as Gordo was concerned with, its not lit. Someone is not going to buy a book to give a one star because they're mad your book as a five star, and again, go back to them being rare.

 

[gordo12]

Reviews aren't common, especially on extreme things like incest/non con and bestiality as SW allows all of those. Like here even though people can make up names, they're wary of posting anything.

For the hell of it, I took two minutes to do a count. I have 133 reviews on SW...over 11 years and closing in on 200 titles. Many books have no reviews, some have a few each, the most is 9 on a book from 2011.

As for 'downvoting' as Gordo was concerned with, its not lit. Someone is not going to buy a book to give a one star because they're mad your book as a five star, and again, go back to them being rare.

I got a one vote and a nasty comment because of WHERE I advertised. He thought it was misleading. I had a convo with Smash and they agreed it wasn't a suitable comment or vote and poof...gone!

 

[lovecraft68]

I got a one vote and a nasty comment because of WHERE I advertised. He thought it was misleading. I had a convo with Smash and they agreed it wasn't a suitable comment or vote and poof...gone!

Where as in the category on Smashwords or you mean you advertised it here and some asshat followed you there to troll?

SW is good about removing obvious troll reviews(unlike amazon)

The best thing is, they had to buy your book to review so you got their money and they lost their review

 

[gordo12]

Where as in the category on Smashwords or you mean you advertised it here and some asshat followed you there to troll?

SW is good about removing obvious troll reviews(unlike amazon)

The best thing is, they had to buy your book to review so you got their money and they lost their review

It was a related subject matter area on the web and he bought the book expecting that. (Apparently didn't read the blurb) and when His content idea didn't show up he took it out on me. I even talked to him and pointed out it wasn't specific content like he wanted. I told him he could get a refund rather than slamming the book. He came back to me a couple of times with minor complaints but never went for a refund. Go figure.

Honestly, he was Russian and my impression was he was drunk whenever he showed up. Good English though.

 

[windar]

I do occasionally. I don't look for them, but my publisher sends them on when he sees them. He linked this one to me from a couple of weeks ago:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1122540

Gluing supermarket savings stamps into the book. Ah the good old days of 1965...

 

[leeanna19]

That's going to be me now. I'm fed up with the getting stuff rejected. I have 40 plus stories on here, but now just keep getting rejections?

I'll keep posting on other sites though. I also don't like that "anonymous" idiots can comment. If you are going to slag off someone's hard work, you should admit who you are.

 

[ChloeTzang]

. When I put my first Literotica story up on Smashwords, I did some light editing to make it a little more coherent as a novel rather than a 12-part series. I also made a non-explicit version because I thought some readers might want the story but not the porn. (This is possibly the wrongest I've ever been about anything. That version has sold two copies. Lesson learned.)

Thanks for that, Bramblethorn - I'd been thinking of doing that for a couple of my stories (doing a non-explicit version) but you have made up my mind for me

 

[lovecraft68]

I also post stories on Smashwords and Ao3. Mostly cross-posted from Literotica, along with one story on Ao3 that doesn't fit here.

When I put my first Literotica story up on Smashwords, I did some light editing to make it a little more coherent as a novel rather than a 12-part series. I also made a non-explicit version because I thought some readers might want the story but not the porn. (This is possibly the wrongest I've ever been about anything. That version has sold two copies. Lesson learned.)

If I'm writing with the intention of posting on Literotica, I'll make sure there's a bit of sex in the story, and I'll make sure it's compliant with Literotica rules. Mostly I start with the story content and choose whichever sites fit, then tailor the details to those sites.

I find I have this issue with my horror novels. They're in erotic horror because I can't seem to tame down the sex. There's plenty of sex in horror novels, and for those who know trhe genre they know some are surprisingly detailed and kinky

But I can't stop going full blown "literotica' and I wonder if I went back and really watered down the sex if I could reach a wider audience, but that's a lot of work and they're already out there.

In the meantime I'm working on a femme fatale black ops agent type story and again struggled to keep a lesbian encounter brief, when I kept wanting to make it a hardcore XXX scene.

The perv in me is strong

 

[Phoneme52]

I always publish on Smashwords before I publish here.

I publish on Smashwords and Amazon. These are non-erotic crime fiction novels. Whilst I have good reviews, I don’t really make any money other than covering the costs of publication including a professional cover. I get pleasure from knowing that that my loyal readers enjoy my work. I’m currently writing a chaptered novella on Literotica which will appear on Smashwords after it’s completion under a pen name. The good thing about Smashwords is that they will let you run frequent give away promotions which Amazon will not. My advice is write for fun and enjoy the experience .

 

[njlauren]

There are writers on here I am sure write professionally. Over on the LW category there was a writer, Daniel Quentin Steele, who wrote quite a few stories then with one of them took it over into professional writing and I think ended up with 4 books out of it (or maybe 3?). Haven't seen him in years on here, and I never got to finish the epic story he started on here, will have to look it up on Amazon.

As for me, I think it will be lit for a while. I have a novel and part of another done, but I doubt they will ever see the light of day, but I enjoyed writing them.