Non-erotic category &...what genre is this?

[tehuti88]

Two questions about this:

1. What are the constraints of the "Non-Erotic" category? By that I mean, does material posted there, even if not erotic in content, still have to have a more adult focus, or is tame stuff (PG, PG-13) allowed? I have PG-13 work I wouldn't mind submitting someday (mild adult language, fantasy violence, mild adult situations, but no sex), but with a site name like "Literotica," I figured such material might not be wanted here.

2. I'm working on a novella to submit. It's a het married couple, and there are a few graphic sex scenes in it. However, the bulk of the focus isn't erotic, but is about a psychological issue/secret the couple is dealing with. I'm not sure what category this should go in. :/

Non-Erotic (even though it has erotic scenes)?

Novels & Novellas (even though I have another novella that's currently posted in the Gay Male category rather than Novels & Novellas)?

Romance (even though, like the erotic parts, that's not the primary focus, plus the romantic angle is more subdued/personal than candlelight and wine)?

I don't see a category for het couples, but even if there were one, I'm not sure it would belong there, either.

So confused. ;_;


ETA, erk, I just remembered, the male in the couple is actually bi/pansexual, but that has no focus in the story.

 

[Hypoxia]

The category description says, "Non-Erotic - Fiction without a sexual focus". My ROT (rule of thumb) is:

Non-Erotic: Sex is peripheral to the story.
Erotic: Sex is central to the story.
Pr0n: Sex IS the story.

I have a violent Non-Erotic story (XYZ-BOMBER) with some XXX sex that is indeed peripheral to the story. The couples' relationship goes far beyond their mating practices; the sex is really only a minor component. I posted the story in NE because I didn't want readers to expect an erotic experience. I think that's the guideline: If YOU don't consider a story erotic, then it ain't.

Keep in mind that NE readership is sparse. NE tales get more views than poetry, but that ain't saying much. My NE story has been up 4 months and hasn't reached 1200 views. An INCEST story posted a month later has 77000 views. If you want a story to be READ, don't put it in Non-Erotic or Humor-Satire.

Your het sex story might fit best into Erotic Couplings.

 

[Trixareforkids]

If you want a story to be READ, don't put it in Non-Erotic or Humor-Satire.

Your het sex story might fit best into Erotic Couplings.

Hey there, ho here. I really like the Humor-Satire category, don't go discouraging people from posting there. I like my tits to tickle heaven with laughter.

~ now I feel bad for the poor misfit non-erotic stories. I'll go see if I can find a home for some of them on my favorites list.~

And I agree with the EC category being the best choice with the given info.

 

[Handley_Page]

Hey there, ho here. I really like the Humor-Satire category, don't go discouraging people from posting there. I like my tits to tickle heaven with laughter.

And I agree with the EC category being the best choice with the given info.

More power to your Humour & Satire.
There are times when I'd appreciate good writing more than good sex.

But if you think it's a 'non-erotic' story, I feel that any sex in it should be brief and (especially) pertinent to the story

 

[Kelleebabes]

just a suggestion...

The category description says, "Non-Erotic - Fiction without a sexual focus". My ROT (rule of thumb) is:

Non-Erotic: Sex is peripheral to the story.
Erotic: Sex is central to the story.
Pr0n: Sex IS the story.

I have a violent Non-Erotic story (XYZ-BOMBER) with some XXX sex that is indeed peripheral to the story. The couples' relationship goes far beyond their mating practices; the sex is really only a minor component. I posted the story in NE because I didn't want readers to expect an erotic experience. I think that's the guideline: If YOU don't consider a story erotic, then it ain't.

Keep in mind that NE readership is sparse. NE tales get more views than poetry, but that ain't saying much. My NE story has been up 4 months and hasn't reached 1200 views. An INCEST story posted a month later has 77000 views. If you want a story to be READ, don't put it in Non-Erotic or Humor-Satire.

Your het sex story might fit best into Erotic Couplings.

Could you call it SEX BOMBER instead of XYZ BOMBER...that might just be the ticket to getting your story read...(Sorry that was a bad a tempt at author humor...please no offense meant...I'm sure your story is great...I'm going to read it...)

 

[sr71plt]

I think it's likely that PG-13 stories can be published here, but if your target audience is under 18, why would you post it to Literotica? Under 18s aren't supposed to be reading here at all.

 

[TamLin01]

I've always taken it for granted that Non-Erotic is for stories without fucking in them. If the story has some fucking, why would you exile it to the least-read part of the site without having to?

 

[_Lynn_]

The stories I have in non-erotic don't have any sex. In fact, one of the main characters in Stranger in the Park (FAWC entry) is a young child. The readership isn't great, as others mentioned, but I'm fine with that.

 

[Hypoxia]

But if you think it's a 'non-erotic' story, I feel that any sex in it should be brief and (especially) pertinent to the story

Quite, although 'pertinence' might include character development.

Could you call it SEX BOMBER instead of XYZ BOMBER...that might just be the ticket to getting your story read...(Sorry that was a bad a tempt at author humor...please no offense meant...I'm sure your story is great...I'm going to read it...)

Good idea! I'll have to write that one. And no, it's not a great story, but it's at least competent IMHO. Readers may disagree.

I've always taken it for granted that Non-Erotic is for stories without fucking in them. If the story has some fucking, why would you exile it to the least-read part of the site without having to?

Why? Because some fucking isn't erotic, merely biological. And we see no-fuck stories in 'erotic' categories. Gotta remember that the brain is the primary human sexual organ.

I've recently started posting songs-verse-poems here and must choose between 'erotic' and 'non-erotic' categories. Many erotic-themed poems are fuckless, suggestive, romantic, maybe even ominous. Some non-erotic poems are the same... but with a different tone. Are Even Female Penguins or A Date With Science erotic?

 

[JKendallDane]

I think it's likely that PG-13 stories can be published here, but if your target audience is under 18, why would you post it to Literotica? Under 18s aren't supposed to be reading here at all.

Where did you see her say that she was targeting an under 18 audience?

 

[TamLin01]

Why? Because some fucking isn't erotic, merely biological. And we see no-fuck stories in 'erotic' categories. Gotta remember that the brain is the primary human sexual organ.

Not to cause trouble, but this feels like hairsplitting. I don't doubt for a minute that 99 percent of people who start reading something billed as an erotic story expect it to have some sexual content, nor do I doubt that just as many readers who click on a story in the Non-Erotic category do so expecting to find no real sexual content at all, and indeed believe that's what it's there for.

The strict definition of erotic vs pornographic etc. is entirely subjective, so if we start defining things that freely then the whole categorical system will break down pretty fast.

 

[sr71plt]

Not to cause trouble, but this feels like hairsplitting. I don't doubt for a minute that 99 percent of people who start reading something billed as an erotic story expect it to have some sexual content, nor do I doubt that just as many readers who click on a story in the Non-Erotic category do so expecting to find no real sexual content at all, and indeed believe that's what it's there for.

This was my view too. I have some nonerotic stories posted here. They don't have any sex acts in them. If they did, I wouldn't submit them as nonerotic.

 

[49greg]

The category description says, "Non-Erotic - Fiction without a sexual focus". My ROT (rule of thumb) is:

Non-Erotic: Sex is peripheral to the story.
Erotic: Sex is central to the story.
Pr0n: Sex IS the story.
....

Keep in mind that NE readership is sparse. NE tales get more views than poetry, but that ain't saying much. My NE story has been up 4 months and hasn't reached 1200 views. An INCEST story posted a month later has 77000 views. If you want a story to be READ, don't put it in Non-Erotic or Humor-Satire.

Your het sex story might fit best into Erotic Couplings.

I second the motion. Very few readers in Non Erotic. Only my poems get fewer.

 

[_Lynn_]

I second the motion. Very few readers in Non Erotic. Only my poems get fewer.

The numbers can change a great deal if the story is part of a contest. I entered "Maggie's Gift" into the 2009 Winter Holidays Story Contest. I just looked and it has 92,794 views with 431 votes.

 

[sr71plt]

The numbers can change a great deal if the story is part of a contest. I entered "Maggie's Gift" into the 2009 Winter Holidays Story Contest. I just looked and it has 92,794 views with 431 votes.

Yep my nonerotic (because I have trouble combining the spirit of Christmas with sex) Winter holiday contest stories are among my highest in views/votes.

 

[Duckinacup]

Two questions about this:

I don't see a category for het couples, but even if there were one, I'm not sure it would belong there, either.

So confused. ;_;


ETA, erk, I just remembered, the male in the couple is actually bi/pansexual, but that has no focus in the story.

A FewSuggestiosn:

• Best way to get other's opinions on this would be post a 100-500 word synopsis of your story.
  
• If there is no focus on the male character's sexuality, removing that information from the story might make it more readable. I find that information about a main character makes me look for supporting evidence throughout the story and not finding it leaves me empty. I guess what I'm saying is that if they are heterosexual, they can't be bi or pan. If either is bi or pan, that must be addressed throughout the story because these are the main characters.
  
• Be brutal with nonessential information about anything in your story. If it is nonessential, it will detract from your reader's enjoyment. Who cares if the sky is blue unless it is a warm spring day with a cloudless sky? Even without saying it the reader will presume the sky is blue unless you've set the stage on a planet different from earth.

Good luck with your project.

 

[49greg]

The numbers can change a great deal if the story is part of a contest. I entered "Maggie's Gift" into the 2009 Winter Holidays Story Contest. I just looked and it has 92,794 views with 431 votes.

Wow, that's good, I know contest stories get good readership, hadn't thought of doing a non erotic one for a contest. I just might try it.

 

[_Lynn_]

Wow, that's good, I know contest stories get good readership, hadn't thought of doing a non erotic one for a contest. I just might try it.

I wrote it as part of NaNo that year then realized it fit the contest guidelines.