Looking to buy erotica short stories/novels
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Boxlicker101
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When you say "Unpublished" does that mean not even published on Literotica? Because most of us submit our work as soon as we complete the last edit. 
sr71plt
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When you say "Unpublished" does that mean not even published on Literotica? Because most of us submit our work as soon as we complete the last edit.
When it's on Literotica, it's been published.
sr71plt
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Hope you have your hip-high rubber wading boots on.
And does "being new to the scene" mean you don't have a clue about publishing?
SevenSquared
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I imagine most active authors on this site would be open to this opportunity. What kind of stories are you looking for? Any particular theme or kink?
NekoParks
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Why would writers sell the rights to their works when they can retain all their rights and sell to multiple outlets on Smashwords? What would you be offering to a writer in return? Many writers are publishing previously published works on Smashwords as soon as they regain their rights. Since epublishing is a voracious market, I would be reluctant to tie up any of my works to a publishing house that could flounder.
At the moment we would be interested in all themes just to test them out with our target markets.
In regards to nekoparks question, we are offering authors a chance to sell the rights to their works for a lump sum payment for their work, instead of having to wait potentially months and months to see if their work will ever produce results, which obviously the vast majority will have very small or minimal revenue generated over long periods of time.
In regards to nekoparks question, we are offering authors a chance to sell the rights to their works for a lump sum payment for their work, instead of having to wait potentially months and months to see if their work will ever produce results, which obviously the vast majority will have very small or minimal revenue generated over long periods of time.
lovecraft68
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Depends on what they're paying and on what you want. If they're paying $75 then that is about 40 sales of a 2.99 book on Smashwords
It can take a long time to get 40 on SW depending on your name and what you write so some people are like why not?
But your book is also there "forever" so you will ultimately make that and more and if you put up a lot of stuff....
To me its not worth it, but others may feel differently.
Thanks a lot for saying exactly what my idea was. I am looking for people who would like to get the cash in their pockets without having to wait for sales to go through (or potentially never make money from their work).
Once again, feel free to PM me if interested.
Once again, feel free to PM me if interested.
sr71plt
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Not interested as I have publishers enough already, but for clarity for others, is this a "work for hire" arrangement, where you take all rights, or an "exclusive e-book and/or print" rights, where you encumber just that bundle of rights, or a "nonexclusive e-book and/or print" rights, where you just share publishing rights with the author who can also publish elsewhere?
And beyond that, you must know going into this what you're willing to pay for what. Think you should state that up front.
Where can potential authors find you on the net?--so they have a chance to know how far along in getting established you are and have a feel for whether you really know what you're doing or not.
And beyond that, you must know going into this what you're willing to pay for what. Think you should state that up front.
Where can potential authors find you on the net?--so they have a chance to know how far along in getting established you are and have a feel for whether you really know what you're doing or not.
D
DeeZire
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sr71 - Do you have a credible estimate on the number of pay sites selling erotic e-book downloads? I wonder if it's as bad as the small business model, where something like 90% of startups fail? I've seen a lot of pay-music sites come and go. It seems like there are always a couple of places that get all the business, and many more that hover around the periphery getting almost none.
If anyone is seriously considering selling a story, wouldn't they want a reversion clause in the contract, so that if the place disappears, they'd get their story back?
If anyone is seriously considering selling a story, wouldn't they want a reversion clause in the contract, so that if the place disappears, they'd get their story back?
TxRad
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That has already happened to a group of authors here in the AH and they are still trying to get their work back.
It's always good to have the information to check out before making any deals with unknowns.
sr71plt
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The only distribution sites that matter are the big, coalescing ones like Smashwords, Amazon.com, B&N, Allromanceebooks, Books on Board, Kobo . . . And these are shrinking in number. Fictionwise disappeared last month, Books on Board looks like it's in trouble. Publishers sell very little straight from their sites; self-publishing authors sell even less straight from their own Web sites. You've got to be spread out on as many major distribution sites as possible in as many download electronic platforms as possible.
Yes, probably more than 90 percent of e-book publishers fail within the first couple of years--because they don't have a clue how publishing works and what can be done with e-books in the marketplace. Being a whiz on computer platform set up and graphics is a basic need for e-booking, but that's only at the base of what an e-book publisher needs to know to actually sell books.
The originator of this thread hasn't demonstrated the trace of having a clue either--yet.
And, yes, the author would want a reversion of rights clause in the contract. But again, the originator of this thread has yet to show a basic understanding of what the deal should be, let alone what should be in a contract for mutual protection.
sr71plt
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I should say that I think there's an up side to an offer like this, even if the publisher doesn't know what he/she is doing.
If someone offers $100 for a 3,500-word story, I say take it, even on a "work for hire" basis, and run and let them worry about trying to squeeze a profit out of it for themselves. If they can, they'be back for more. And you can concentrate on writing rather than being overwhelmed with promotion and sales. I've yet to meet a new author who doesn't have a grossly inflated perspective of what they can sell of their work for on their own.
If I clear $200 a year in profit on an e-book for two or three years while letting a publisher worry about all of the production and sales business, I'm quite pleased. It gives me time to do arousing writing I'd do just for the personal gratification and entertainment anyway and it gives me time to write more e-books. On a unit basis you're not making much. If you have 100 e-books in the marketplace, though, you are pulling in a tidy sum.
I'll happily take $100 for a 3,500-word short story in the mainstream and even give up all publishing rights on it. Literary works are a renewable source. If the last one I wrote was good enough to sell to someone, so should a couple in the next set I write. There are more where that the previous ones came from.
My first publisher hookup through Literotica was to a startup publisher paying a flat $50 for each story already on Literotica (and permitted to stay there) to be published for fee elsewhere. They went under within a year, but not before I'd gotten nearly $1,000 for works that were already published and all I had to do was say they could publish them too. The second hookup was with a startup Web story site that paid all of my subscription fees to video porn for the right, again, just to republish what was already on Literotica and remains here. That worked well (for me) for a year and a half until the Web site was up on its feet (and is still going strong). All a financial gain for me without any extra work.
So, if they'll pay enough to satisfy you, given you do realistic reasoning on the alternatives, even if it's for full rights sale, I suggest you strongly consider doing it--and let them worry about how to make it profitable for themselves. They probably have figured wrong and will go under, but you aren't going under with them--and, realistically, whatever you've already given them has lost most if not all of its market value, so reversion of rights isn't a biggee either. (Although, interestingly enough, my publisher has started to reissue expansions of early works of mine after three years, and they are making new-book profit again.)
The bottom line on this thread, though, is that the OP isn't revealing yet what it will pay for what, and it's quite possible that it doesn't know these elements itself.
If someone offers $100 for a 3,500-word story, I say take it, even on a "work for hire" basis, and run and let them worry about trying to squeeze a profit out of it for themselves. If they can, they'be back for more. And you can concentrate on writing rather than being overwhelmed with promotion and sales. I've yet to meet a new author who doesn't have a grossly inflated perspective of what they can sell of their work for on their own.
If I clear $200 a year in profit on an e-book for two or three years while letting a publisher worry about all of the production and sales business, I'm quite pleased. It gives me time to do arousing writing I'd do just for the personal gratification and entertainment anyway and it gives me time to write more e-books. On a unit basis you're not making much. If you have 100 e-books in the marketplace, though, you are pulling in a tidy sum.
I'll happily take $100 for a 3,500-word short story in the mainstream and even give up all publishing rights on it. Literary works are a renewable source. If the last one I wrote was good enough to sell to someone, so should a couple in the next set I write. There are more where that the previous ones came from.
My first publisher hookup through Literotica was to a startup publisher paying a flat $50 for each story already on Literotica (and permitted to stay there) to be published for fee elsewhere. They went under within a year, but not before I'd gotten nearly $1,000 for works that were already published and all I had to do was say they could publish them too. The second hookup was with a startup Web story site that paid all of my subscription fees to video porn for the right, again, just to republish what was already on Literotica and remains here. That worked well (for me) for a year and a half until the Web site was up on its feet (and is still going strong). All a financial gain for me without any extra work.
So, if they'll pay enough to satisfy you, given you do realistic reasoning on the alternatives, even if it's for full rights sale, I suggest you strongly consider doing it--and let them worry about how to make it profitable for themselves. They probably have figured wrong and will go under, but you aren't going under with them--and, realistically, whatever you've already given them has lost most if not all of its market value, so reversion of rights isn't a biggee either. (Although, interestingly enough, my publisher has started to reissue expansions of early works of mine after three years, and they are making new-book profit again.)
The bottom line on this thread, though, is that the OP isn't revealing yet what it will pay for what, and it's quite possible that it doesn't know these elements itself.
The figure you mentioned it just about what we would be willing to pay, somewhere around 100$ per 3000-4000 words. I have never dealt directly with authors before and it seems there are definitely some things I'd need to learn. The only way we would want to buy the work is outright and completely, I do not want to have to deal with the author afterwards. Ideally I would have freedom over the cover and title of the book also. I know that this offer doesn't appeal to established authors already making income, but maybe it would to new authors who don't have a name yet and would like to get cash in their pocket quickly rather than waiting around for smashwords and other sales funnels.
sr71plt
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Writers who write in volume should be fine with $100 for 3,000-4,000 words, bought completely and outright (a "work for hire" arrangement).
Erotica comes in a very wide range of interests and fetishes. You might specify what you're looking for.
Erotica comes in a very wide range of interests and fetishes. You might specify what you're looking for.
lovecraft68
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I hate to say it, but if he had to explain that to you it does not inspire confidence.
Stella_Omega
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It's a cash on the barrel business, no confidence needed once the transaction is complete.
lovecraft68
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Sorry, but if the person is not even sure how to explain what exactly they are offering that speaks of inexperience.
As for as long as the check clears? I'm cool with that, but only as long as the rights and deal are competently explained and it sounds like they just had to take notes from Pilot.
Anyway, I have no interest in selling anything I'm doing fine on my own. I just don't want to see anyone here get misled.
hypocraties
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Who cares if the dude has experience or not if you are getting paid for your work? If its a writer-for-hire setup, you will still get paid the same whether or not he knows what he is doing. Maybe he is a dumbass and has no idea what he is doing, or maybe he already has some business plan that is working for him and he is just trying to buy more novels. OP has not really stated what he is doing with the books, but who cares? In any case you will still get the agreed upon payment for your work, so im with the guy that says if the check clears who cares.
Also whats the point in knocking somebody from paying new writers that are unable to make money with their own writing? Maybe he can help unestablished people on here get some money in their pocket.
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