Is There A Market For This Type Of BDSM-Themed Work?

[BiBunny]

Ok, folks, I have a question about novels/novellas with BDSM themes (not just kinky erotica). I know someone's probably going to say "Google it," but I swear, if I ever Google anything kinky, my ADD kicks in before I can wade through all the porn links, and I end up throwing up my hands in despair. My question is probably most applicable to the ladies, but, gentlemen, please feel free to chime in. (And, yes, I'm asking here instead of the AH because those people intimidate the shit out of me.)

I like to read and write romantic comedy, chick-lit type stuff. (My submissions to this site are no indication of the stuff I really like to write, BTW.) I get attached to characters, and I tend to be pretty stupid about them. Their endings have to be happy, or it sort of hurts me, LOL. Unfortunately, most of the sex scenes in such books tend to be boring as hell.

So my question is, is there a market for humorous romances with BDSM themes? I've seen a few sites about such books, but I can't accurately judge the market. I have what I think will be a wonderful idea for a book, but I'm mercenary in that I don't want to spend all that time writing something that few, if any, people would be interested in.

Can somebody help a girl out? Thanks bunches!

 

[HB1965]

Ellora's Cave publishes a lot of BDSM themed work. I would think they must be continuing to sell because they keep having them for sale. One of my favorites was a comedy about a woman executive sold in a "slave sale" at a resort and bought by her arch nemesis

 

[BiBunny]

Thanks, HB!

 

[HB1965]

Thanks, HB!

you're welcome. I'd love to read some of your stuff

 

[BiBunny]

you're welcome. I'd love to read some of your stuff

Someone's going to have to actually force me to finish it (or in this case, start it) first.

 

[australwind]

There is always a market for works with an element of wry humour......whether BDSM related or not.

Having said that, I know that I get a bit fed up when reading something that is taking itself a little too seriously....


Let me know when you have written your piece... I will happily give it a spin around my bedside table!


PS... Don't be intimidated by the folks in the Author's Hangout... I dipped my toe in the water some time ago and the sharks weren't hungry.

 

[Luvkitty33]

Ok, folks, I have a question about novels/novellas with BDSM themes (not just kinky erotica). I know someone's probably going to say "Google it," but I swear, if I ever Google anything kinky, my ADD kicks in before I can wade through all the porn links, and I end up throwing up my hands in despair. My question is probably most applicable to the ladies, but, gentlemen, please feel free to chime in. (And, yes, I'm asking here instead of the AH because those people intimidate the shit out of me.)

I like to read and write romantic comedy, chick-lit type stuff. (My submissions to this site are no indication of the stuff I really like to write, BTW.) I get attached to characters, and I tend to be pretty stupid about them. Their endings have to be happy, or it sort of hurts me, LOL. Unfortunately, most of the sex scenes in such books tend to be boring as hell.

So my question is, is there a market for humorous romances with BDSM themes? I've seen a few sites about such books, but I can't accurately judge the market. I have what I think will be a wonderful idea for a book, but I'm mercenary in that I don't want to spend all that time writing something that few, if any, people would be interested in.

Can somebody help a girl out? Thanks bunches!

I honestly don't know if there is a market for it or not because I'm new to the BDSM lifestyle. As a reader and as someone interested in BDSM, my guess would be that there is a market for it.

I think as our lives have become more and more hectic and as the media has become filled with tragedy after tragedy and scary and sad stories fill the news daily, we, as a society, are looking for ways to escape more than ever. Some choose to escape in unhealthy ways, such as drugs or alcohol, and others choose to escape in a healthy manner, such as exercise or reading a good book.

I think we also have realized our need to laugh more, not only for the mental and physical benefits (ie. stress reducer), but because it just plain feels good . We all know that if something feels good, we're more than likely going to go back for more. If you take those two thoughts and add in the fact that people tend to read what they're interested in, then my guess is that people interested in romance with a BDSM theme and who are looking for a "vacation" from life, as well as a way to feel good, will choose to read a humorous, romantic BDSM story.

Anyway, I hope that at least makes a little bit of sense, LOL. It's difficult to put my thoughts into a coherent format after waking up from a deep sleep at 2:00 in the morning, but I think there would be a market for it, and I know that I would be interested in reading your romantic comedy BDSM stories. I hope you decide to write it and share it.

 

[catalina_francisco]

There is usually a market for anything, you just have to find it. That being said, I think the best writing comes from writing for yourself more so than with the idea of marketing in mind. It is good if it is marketable, but it is likely to be easier to acheive that if you actually wrote it for your own satisfaction first. Writing is a very difficult field to get published in to start with regardless of target audiences and talent, so doing it for you makes it successful before even attemptinmg that hurdle.

Catalina

 

[Quint]

.............

 

[Guest]

(And, yes, I'm asking here instead of the AH because those people intimidate the shit out of me.)
Can somebody help a girl out? Thanks bunches!

Not exactly on-topic, but I have to say..

I am no literary genuis by any means and at times feel most illiterate, especially when comparing myself to the AH general populace. The term "village idiot" comes to mind.

However, the denziens of the AH have been the most welcoming, the most helpful, the most genuine and kind people I have met on this board.

Don't be scared - we will only bite if you ask for it.

 

[amadaun]

Honestly? I'm currently *combing* my public library for anything to do with BDSM, from dominatrix memoirs to murder mysteries to terrible fantasy novels (*cough* To Serve and Submit *cough*)... just because I can't really focus on reading "serious" novels during the academic year. If there was some lighthearted BDSM-themed chicklit out there, I'd eat that right up. Go for it!

 

[Homburg]

If the internet has taught me anything, it is that no matter how kinky or weird your personal sexual fantasies are, there is going to be at least one person on the internet that is willing to help you make it come true, and a second person that will pay to watch.

(My numbers are probably low too, especially on the watchers.)

I'm willing to bet that there is a market, and with current print technology, small-fry publishers can survive a little more easily.

 

[myinnerslut]

i'd read it

 

[BiBunny]

Honestly? I'm currently *combing* my public library for anything to do with BDSM, from dominatrix memoirs to murder mysteries to terrible fantasy novels (*cough* To Serve and Submit *cough*)... just because I can't really focus on reading "serious" novels during the academic year. If there was some lighthearted BDSM-themed chicklit out there, I'd eat that right up. Go for it!

That's me. I'm an English grad student. I have enough "serious" stuff to deal with while I'm in school. That's why I can't stand to read (or write) it when I don't have to.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm attempting to plunge ahead with this little endeavor. Anybody want to make sure I stay motivated?

 

[midwestyankee]

That's me. I'm an English grad student. I have enough "serious" stuff to deal with while I'm in school. That's why I can't stand to read (or write) it when I don't have to.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm attempting to plunge ahead with this little endeavor. Anybody want to make sure I stay motivated?

Let me suggest that you consider joining some kind of writing group to help you stay on track. Being accountable for producing chapters for group critique is a proven method for keeping yourself motivated. When you find a group of other writers who are amenable to reading and discussing your work, you'll have found something of real value. That is if you really want to write and not just think and dream about it.

I say that last thing not so much because it might apply to you (I've no way of knowing if it would or not) but because I've met so many people who say they'd like to write but never actually set pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

To be a writer, one must write. And one must be unafraid of being read (or at least just courageous enough to put up with being read).

 

[EmpressFi]

The Mere'dith Gentry series by Laurell K Hamilton is a bit on the BDSM side mixed with fantasy and mystery... and her other series, Anita Blake is just starting to touch on it as one character, Nathaniel, is a submissive and has asked Anita to top him or give him permission to find a Dom/me