the process to paid work

[Peaches_n_cream]

Could anyone give me an idea of the process I need to go through in order to get paid work? How good must I get/scores should I shoot for before someone might take notice of me? How many stories should I have in my portfolio before I apply, and where might I apply?
Feedback would be very much appreciated!

 

[SaucyEroticProductions]

I'm not sure that there's a specific method, average score or number of stories you must have before you can become "serious" and try to push your work as something you sell. I'd say you can start submitting and trying to get work published when you feel like it's ready or when you feel like your work is good enough!

I can only name myself as an example. I registered with a friend about 3 weeks ago and I've had people contacting me since due to my writing and writing style. Currently i'm in the process of working for a couple of clients with a variety of tasks related to writing/erotica writing, and i'm also working on a bigger project i probably will publish - not sure what channel to do this through yet.

Others will say this as well, but let me be the first:

Beware of scammers and frauds.

There are a lot of people out there who'd take advantage of you/of us, be very careful and check every credential before getting into bed with someone specific if you're approached.

Honestly, i'm not the best person to answer this question for you - i just recently started and I've had a streak of good luck when it comes to this. I know that there are authors on the site who've actually published entire books - both erotica and non-erotica.

They're probably going to give you better answers than i can.

My best advice is: Improve, keep improving and never give up!

--Jasmine

 

[SamScribble]

I think it depends very much on what you want to write and how much you want to be paid.

There are exceptions of course (50 Shades of Grey, I’m told) but, generally, if you want to be paid more than just spare change it’s important to have something to say and the ability to say it well.

The scores on Lit don’t count for a lot. I have a story that is currently showing more than 75,000 hits but only about 200 people (less than 3%) have actually voted. It’s nice that most of them have given the story at least four stars – and some have presumably given it five. But Lit scores are not bank deposits.

The best advice I can offer is first, try and find out what you want to write; second work, work, work on your craft; and third, try and get yourself a good agent. Good agents are hard to find but, in my experience, they are invaluable.

Oh, and practice typing with your fingers crossed. When it comes to finding opportunities for paid writing, a little bit of good luck can go a long way.

Good luck.

 

[lovecraft68]

Don't wait for someone to contact you, it most likely won;t happen.

You can shop to some publishers and cross your fingers.

Or you can self publish on Smashwords All Romance, Amazon and many others yourself and see how it works out for you.

The disadvantage is you have to do all the work yourself.

The advantage is all the money is yours(minus whatever percentage the site takes)

 

[sr71plt]

The advantage is all the money is yours(minus whatever percentage the site takes)

And minus any production costs you incurred (e.g., editing, cover, any promotion, whatever time it took you to get it all done).

You keep pretending these aren't costs. They are.

 

[sun_sea_sky]

I've been posting for a few months but not received any offers. Not sure what that proves, if anything.

I've submitted some stories to Smashwords (who then forward on to Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc.). So far I've made around $10, so no big bucks yet. As far as I can tell my stories haven't actually come "live" yet on Amazon etc., maybe they'll do better when they do.

There is a (free) book available on Smashwords about how to promote yourself (by Mark Coker, the founder) called "The Smashwords Book Marketing Guide". Probably well worth a read.

Having a good story is probably just the start. Other suggestions I have seen are:

• Catchy title
• Good description
• Good front cover
• Self promotion (eg. blog)

There are other tips, like making the first book in a series free, so people are likely to download it. Then if they like it they'll pay for the next installment.

 

[lovecraft68]

And minus any production costs you incurred (e.g., editing, cover, any promotion, whatever time it took you to get it all done).

You keep pretending these aren't costs. They are.

I made 13 photo covers for a $40 credit purchase.

I format myself using down loaded software and my editor is being paid in comic books from my personal collection.

As for time? I write after I get out of work. If I wasn't writing I would be playing darts, or reading or watching sports, so technically my times costs nothing.

Although, of course, all the tedious stuff does cut into writing time, but I'll take it.

I have yet to see what a publisher will do for me to warrant their "take"

And what you're not getting-and I am not arguing here this is my take as I see it- is you're paying for the same costs I am.

Their percentage covers your covers, your editing, formatting, the time they spend doing such.

I'm paying in time, you;re paying in Dollars.

 

[sr71plt]

I made 13 photo covers for a $40 credit purchase.

Well, as you post yourself, you're also paying in dollars. So this is a production cost to you. I really don't understand why you are so clueless about this--especially since you've posted elsewhere that you have quit your job and are going to do this as your career.

 

[lovecraft68]

Well, as you post yourself, you're also paying in dollars. So this is a production cost to you. I really don't understand why you are so clueless about this--especially since you've posted elsewhere that you have quit your job and are going to do this as your career.

Yes it is technically an expense. But one you incur as well and most likely at a higher rate as I doubt your publishers would admit that it cost $3-$5 dollars for your cover.

Formatting is the click of a button.

My expenses are one time on a single book yours recur at whatever percentage the publisher takes per sale.

So if they spent lets say even $20 on your book. They get that back in a couple of dozen sales, but they are going to take that percentage from you for the duration of the book.

You get a good seller they can gets thousands in returns on a $20 investment. I only incur the initial investment and it is a trivial amount.

Also as for covers, on another thread you showed one off that the publisher gave a cool "sepia" tone to, gave it a nice "older" look.

Yeah, one click of a button on image editor. How much they charge you for that click? More than free I'll bet.

Apples and oranges. What works for you is great for you.

I have a what's mine is mine mentality and if you want part of what's mine, I'm willing to give it, but I need to know I'm getting good return for it and I don't see that return in e-publishing.

 

[handysr]

Could anyone give me an idea of the process I need to go through in order to get paid work? How good must I get/scores should I shoot for before someone might take notice of me? How many stories should I have in my portfolio before I apply, and where might I apply?
Feedback would be very much appreciated!

As far as "professional experience" in this subject, I have none Also I did not sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

That being said, there are a ton of threads here that cover this exact topic, you shouldn't have to go more than a few pages in to find several examples.

 

[R. Richard]

Let me give you some good advice.
Befiore you try to publish on Smashwords, Amazon or whatever,
READ THE DIRECTIONS!

 

[PublicAffection]

The first step is to decide what it is that you want to write, discover what someone will pay you to write, and decide whether it is more important to you to be paid or to be creative.

I got my start ghost-writing blog spots and articles for a variety of websites. I got paid poorly at first, and much better as my reputation built - and got to span such amazing topics as foot problems, travel pieces on places that I'd never pay to vacation, the technical differences between Model X car vs. Model Y car, etc. I rarely chose the topic and rarely was offered a topic that piqued my interest, but I was writing and getting paid for it and was able to add numbers and figures to my cover letter to prospective agents and publishers.

If you want to write your passion, be it erotica or not, write the best story that you can. Start shopping it around and decide if you want to work with a publisher (which can be beneficial, save you time and headache if you find a good one), or if you want to go it alone (presumably larger profits, but a lot to take on for the average writer). Either way, while you are shopping your manuscript around and collecting rejection letters (this will happen, do not let it discourage you) or going through editing (do several edits if you are using "volunteer" editors and/or invest in working with a reputable one) begin writing your next piece.

By the time you are published, you may have a half-dozen complete manuscripts floating about the ether waiting for someone to discover them. But this is actually a good thing - by the time you are discovered, you'll already have a half-dozen potential titles to list as you write your next big project.

This is just my experience. To each their own.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

A few things hold true for writing and most other endeavors:

Most readers have no clue what good writing (cooking, art, fashion) is. Neither do most editors and publishers. Over 10 years Paula Deen went from destitute to rich using cheesy meatloaf, green beans, and mac & cheese to do it. The trick is to fool everyone into thinking your wares are a treasure map or ticket to Heaven.

You need a champion to promote and protect you. A trip to the publisher is like a trip to the ghetto, overnite your tale will be minus its stereo, battery, and wheels. All the good stuff in it is guaranteed to be fenced to others.

Keep your day job.

 

[Peaches_n_cream]

Well thank you very much for your replies, they helped me alot I will definitely keep my day job, but I do enjoy my "night job", too! Rather just do that, honestly.. I appreciate the feeback everyone! Check out my stories if you get bored or hot I'm working on an ebook I think, since the chapters get so long and the stories keep on coming! Good luck to all you writers out there!

http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=1429424&page=submissions