Is posting on Lit a bad career move?

[Lee Chambers]

I spoke with a friend of mine about the latest piece I put up. She thinks I need to finish my story and publish it. She also seems to be under the impression that I'm going to make millions on a book deal. But she likes to encourage me.

However, we got into an argument over the fact that I'm posting my work here on Lit. She said I shouldn't be posting my stuff here because someone could steal it and also no one is going to want to buy if they've already read the story. I tried to explain to her that Lit was a good way to get yourself out there as an author and make your name known, but she was insistent that it would be better for me not to post anything else.

I enjoy posting my stories on here and reading what people have to say. Despite how good she thinks I am, I still think I need more practice. But knowing that there are a lot of people here who have published regular books and e-books, I wanted to know what your opinions were on her idea.

 

[rgraham666]

I disagree with your friend.

Lit is a great way to improve your craft, use as a test market and gain a fan base.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

My girlfriend writes a newspaper column, and her material is stolen all the time. She is forever finding her articles in pissant publications. If your stuff is good someone will steal it, regardless of where its published.

I'm not convinced LIT is the place to display your wares. Any half-wit can ding you, and they do. And you'll get dinged if your opinions piss people off. Ninety-nine percent of the people here think theyre competent critics.

My advice is try and sell your stuff. That's the real test.

 

[Boota]

My work posted on Lit has led to many book sales, even though outside of Lit I don't write erotica. I imagine if I was focused on erotica this would be THE prime place to promote my work.

Besides, the hate mail is just incredible!

 

[Daniellekitten]

I wouldn't be published if it weren't for Lit and the "help" I got from other authors and the readers. My work would never have been good enough to be even considered. Everyone needs a way to hone your craft, Lit isn't a bad place to do that.

 

[Liar]

I could be wrong, but I think that most of those who have books and e-books published don't put the same stories in Lit as they put in their books. Doing so would make Lit a direct competitor, I suppose.

Some authors of novels also write essays for free, or short stories on blogs, for non-profit anthologies - stuff like that. Can't say that that is hurting their sales. It's rather a great way to get their name out there and stay in the public eye while they work on the next big novel release.

The only way posting on Lit can be a bad career move would be if your career is not in the erotic field, and the field you're in is filled with prude-ass morons.

Which is why I wear this mask
<---

 

[The_Fractal_King]

I imagine that displaying some of your work to a huge reader base would mainly be a good thing as long as you post different work than you wish to publish.

 

[jomar]

I could be wrong, but I think that most of those who have books and e-books published don't put the same stories in Lit as they put in their books. Doing so would make Lit a direct competitor, I suppose.

Or they pull the stories that get published.

The only way posting on Lit can be a bad career move would be if your career is not in the erotic field...

Which is why I wear this mask
<---

Ditto the iceberg.

 

[fieryjen]

I think this person might be a bit blue-eyed about a writer's prospects when it comes to publishing. At least that's what it sounds like to me.

 

[impressive]

I disagree with your friend.

Lit is a great way to improve your craft, use as a test market and gain a fan base.

What he said.

 

[Lee Chambers]

I appreciate everyone's feedback on this. Let me say that I don't agree with my friends opinion. But this isn't the first time we've had this conversation about me posting my work on Lit. I still think that posting on here and taking the time to hear what people say about my work is going to help me improve.

 

[hmmnmm]

I understand.

I discuss very similar concerns with missus hmmnmm, who tends to politely disparage my exerting such energies here. Sometimes I agree with her, others not so much, since eroticism is a natural part of being human, so it makes sense that if one can find an outlet for a few ideas, why not use it. Obviously, some have had positive experiences and results here. They seem to throw themselves completely into it. They seem more decisive and confident of their abilities and their prospects. I'll admit a touch of envy for that dogged persistence.

Thing is, it's so easy and convenient here. Come up with an eight-hundred word ramble, and you can find a place to put it here - wait a few days, and ta-da, there it is, and you never know who'll happen to notice it and they may love it or hate it and they may or may not let you know. That can get pretty addicting pretty quick - especially the poetry. You can write a poem in the morning, plop it in the submission box in the afternoon, and when you wake up in the morning, there it is, and maybe it even got a nod in that day's review. I've lately tried to counter that attraction to the immediacy of gratification by printing out a work upon its completion, and then deleting it from file, rather than immediately going to the Submit Story page, here. Like, every other piece. Just for something tangible to put aside.

Of course, I say this like this, and if I get an idea for a story, or mess around with something that begins to take shape, my habitual first consideration is Lit. It's definitely an habitual move. Whether it's a good move, who knows. So... there ya go.

I wish you well in whatever you choose to do.