My best work...

[Chicklet]

I've finished the third draft of what is honestly my best story ever. It's not the final draft, that is yet to come, but it is definitely my best. I have a question for my friends.

My "real-life" friends, the ones I know in the here and now, are all suggesting I get this story published. Maybe I could, maybe I couldn't, but I feel so weird about even trying.

What would you guys do? What would you suggest? Should I try to sell this story or should I post it on Literotica?

-Chicklet

 

[oggbashan]

The only reason for writing is to make money.

I forget the originator of that quote but it applied to Sir Walter Scott, Trollope and Lord Archer, now out of prison.

Og

 

[Jenny _S]

I've finished the third draft of what is honestly my best story ever. It's not the final draft, that is yet to come, but it is definitely my best. I have a question for my friends.

My "real-life" friends, the ones I know in the here and now, are all suggesting I get this story published. Maybe I could, maybe I couldn't, but I feel so weird about even trying.

What would you guys do? What would you suggest? Should I try to sell this story or should I post it on Literotica?

-Chicklet

Don't feel weird, just sell it. Your writing is wonderful, Chicklet.

 

[sweetjulia]

I've finished the third draft of what is honestly my best story ever. It's not the final draft, that is yet to come, but it is definitely my best. I have a question for my friends.

My "real-life" friends, the ones I know in the here and now, are all suggesting I get this story published. Maybe I could, maybe I couldn't, but I feel so weird about even trying.

What would you guys do? What would you suggest? Should I try to sell this story or should I post it on Literotica?

-Chicklet

post it and sell it you can do both you know.

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: My best work...

post it and sell it you can do both you know.

Unfortunately that isn't usually the case. A lot of publishers won't touch a story once its been so widely available on the public domain. If it just appears on your own personal website, they might well overlook that fact, however Lit is massive, as we all know.

Chicklet, my advice, hold onto it. You write good, damn good. If that one is your best ever, it must be stonking. Go for it!

Loulou

 

[ffreak]

And try for the top first - the worst they can do is give you a chance to sell it somewhere else.

If it's erotica, try Playboy (they still pay the most).

If it's mainstream enough to pass the censors, try the New Yorker (they also pay in the top).

But whatever you do, don't let it set in the drawer. Send it out before you leave for Brazil.

Addresses are available at: WritersMarket.com and you can register for free.

-FF (glad to know a future best selling author)

 

[Chicklet]

(chicklet adds "stonking" to her vocabulary)

 

[raphy]

Wow. Stonking.

Haven't heard that word in years... Course, Lou and I are very nearly the same age....

 

[Seattle Zack]

The Erotica Readers Association (www.erotica-readers.com) has a "Calls for Submissions" section that lists many of the erotica publishers (Blue Moon, Circlet, Stiletto) and the kinds of things they're looking for. Getting into Playboy is virtually impossible for an unknown writer (and most of their fiction is not of the typical "erotic" genre anyway), but some of the lesser-known magazines are worth a try.

Even if the paycheck is minimal (or, in many cases, non-existent) it's still worth getting your name out there, as it looks great on an inquiry letter and can attract the interest of bigger publishers. And, of course, nothing beats the thrill of seeing your byline on a story or article in a published work.

Good luck.
--Zack

 

[Svenskaflicka]

If it was me, Chicklet, I'd give the story 10 chances to get itself sold, and then put it up on Lit.

 

[Guest]

Wow. Stonking.

Haven't heard that word in years... Course, Lou and I are very nearly the same age....

Are we? I sympathise.


Zack, hi, I don't think we've spoken before.

That is a very good recommendation, and I can back it up. Back in June I entered a story into a competition that I saw on their calls for submission pages, and won a runner's up prize. It was only $10, but it's better than a kick in the teeth. It was also a huge confidence booster. There is always something there worth submitting to.

Lou

 

[raphy]

We are, yes - Har. If your webpage is still accurate.. You're older by a year.

 

[Guest]

You're older by a year.

Great move, Raff. I'd sign off now if I were you.

advisorily, Perdita

 

[Guest]

We are, yes - Har. If your webpage is still accurate.. You're older by a year.

Older AND wiser, no doubt.

Yes, it is accurate, did you see my birthday pics? Aren't they just wonderful? Ok, now I am being sickly. That was last December, btw. I'm a raging Sagittarian. Worried, yet?

Loulou

 

[Pure]

Hi C,

If you don't sell, you could always try a 'selective' internet location like 'clean sheets' which doesn't pay except in some contests. to be 'selected' would help your ego, a lot, and that site can lead to other things. they have excellent erotica. by the way the thing has to be erotica, not the plain porn that's most common here.

J.

 

[raphy]

Older AND wiser, no doubt.

Loulou

Absolutely. Couldn't have put it any better myself. In fact, I didn't.

Raph, shamed.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Sell first, give away second.

You can always give away what you've sold, but you can't sell what you've given away.

Publication on the Internet is frequently considered the exercise of your first serial rights. Publication on the internet can be on a website like lit, your own, or even just a forum. If the public can get to it, it's published. That's what many publishers believe. Why? Cause then they can buy the same work at the cheaper second rights rate.

 

[Sabledrake]

Go for it, Chicklet! All it'll cost you is some postage, time, stress, anxiety, mental anguish, the jumbo-size bottle of TUMS from Costco, a worn path in the carpet from pacing, a restraining order from the mailman for lurking in wait by the mailbox ... well, that's what it costs me anyway

Sabledrake

 

[Chicklet]

re: tums from costco

I went to costco and there were NO tums.

 

[Belegon]

another voice in the crowd...

Go for it Chicklet! I'm a fan of your writing and as such I want to read anything that makes you so proud. That said, I would gladly shell out for a mag or anthology simply through pride at "knowing" you.

 

[Chicklet]

to everyone,

I just want you all to know that your support and opinions mean a lot to me. Thank you.

-Chicklet