Help! Classification question.

[Miss Isis]

If I have a long story that is going to be mostly plot with some sex (ie. a sort of romantic novel about a couple that will feature sex scenes but not be completely sex-oriented) do I post it in Non-Erotic or in Novels/Novellas?

Thanks much! Sorry, I'm new...and a bit slow at catching on.

-Isis

 

[Quint]

My opinion here, the first of I'm sure many...

You could reasonably fit it into either category, and there are pros and cons to both. Sticking it in "Non-Erotic" is an automatic deduction from your readership; most people come to Lit for porn, plain and simple. Be aware that you will have a very limited audience from the start if you opt to put your story there. On the other hand, if you place it in "Novels and Novellas," you run the risk of turning off your readers by lengthy plot sequences before they get to the smut, for the same reason listed above. People expect sex. They might give you a low rating on non-erotic chapters because they aren't satisfied.

Many brave souls say "bah!" to the small readership of Non-Erotic because it's that much more devout. You'll probably get good reviews if you put it there. If you're wanting numbers, though, I'd recommend Novels, because more than likely you'll be seen more, and there ARE many, many good readers who will give you props for a good story as well as good sex. Look at Riven_Caulfield, an excellent author in Novels who has yet to put any sex in his stories and still maintains a very nice rating. Just be prepared for the "where's my fucking?!" feedback.

To conclude, either is a good choice, but be prepared for hard knocks. If your story is good, it will perservere. G'luck!

 

[Miss Isis]

Thanks for your reply! You made me think a lot more about this...I am not sure yet, and since I'm not very far into the story I don't have to worry about it right this second, but I am leaning towards Non-Erotic...because, as you said, the reading/replying is that much more devout because it's not the most popular section. Plus, I'd rather have quality (positivity/constructive criticism) over quantity (positivity/constructive criticism polluted with the where's my fucking)...and since I'm probably going to publish it on fanfiction.net as well (that's where I post most of my poetry/fanfiction usually...the only erotic stuff I've ever written besides this story idea is poetry...I've done romance but no sex other than poetry) I probably will get more reviews with that. But like I said...you've set me to thinking and I certainly have lots of time to think before I really have to worry about it. Thank you!

-Isis