I think Erotic has a new-age 'mills and boon' quality, what I mean by this is it's a genre suitable for setting the standard of post-60's/70's Mills and boons housewives secretly enjoying adult literature, Erotics being pitched more toward a more up-beat and intelligent Gen X and Y audience. I know the general consensus it that woman have become more liberated since the 50's and 60's, but trust me when I tell you our grandmothers were reading more saucy material than we were, this or would dare feast our eyes, at least publicly anyway.
Gen Y are quite conservative in this way....as are their attitudes towards nudity and sexuality in general. We have become quite prudish, but I think we might be on the brink of change, whereby it's starting to become cool to explore sexuality again. Erotic, I didn't think I would enjoy reading this sort of thing as much as I have....who knows, even my own attitudes to this sort of literature might be changing as we speak.
But because you have a gift for story telling, this makes a big difference.
Have you thought about acquiring a literary agent, the book I mentioned last night, "The Australian Writers Market place 2009/10 has a chapter starting on pg 394 which I think will assist you. Basically there are two ways in...either by entering literary competitions, (and Not just Australian based ones)...or get yourself an agent.
I think your style is perfect for , but you're agent may try and get you to tone some of the sexually explicit bits down a little"...but there's an agent called Lyn Tranter, (best view her website first (view the style guide re- the submission of your synopsis (I haven't looked at her guide myself so you would need to contact her or go to her site....the address is
and whilst I know she deals with adult literary fiction and fantasy, (no poetry or screen plays) she does stress some 'kinds' of writing are not of interest, so you would need to get some idea of exactly what is within her realm of acceptable literature, to see if she's what you are looking for.
Self publishing is risky, (people have had success with it, a friend of mine did, though has since found an agent) to avoid your manuscript finding it's way into to slush/dog pile.
(the place you're manuscripts will sit for months without the publishers even looking at them...presuming they do at all because they give their previously published authors priority) ...best to build some sort of rapport with them briefly ...(meet them at a lit event and ask for their business card).....this and or get an agent or enter competitions which not only promise prize money, but will come with the promise of their publishing your piece/book ... so it gets out there.
When I have some more time today....(I have a few things to do re- new news and media forums here this morning) I will try and find competitions and agents specifically geared to you're genre.
love your writing, keep it up, and really hope you think about what I have said, e-zines are another alternative for self publishers, we are going to see an explosion of these coming to surface over the next 10 years.
...Just be careful about 'vanity publishing'.. whereby you the author is sucked into publishing your work, entirely at your expense (I nearly fell for this trap) ...and remember if it's worthwhile publishing, be patient, someone will take you on. But don't fall for the trap I nearly did, as tempting as it is. They are an absolute con.
Sun 7 Feb 2010 - 8:31
...anyway...I have some more things to do, back shortly.
