photo credit: verybigjen

Sex sells.

That’s what all advertising teaches, right? And we see it, we’re inundated with it, we know it.

So you would think that sex would be primarily what would sell in something written specifically about sex… like romance novels, for example. In fact, sex has become such the perceived focus in romance, a whole new genre has sprung up in recent years– “erotic” romance novels, where we’ve upped the ante considerably. Men no longer sport manhoods and women don’t have “sheaths” to house them. Cock and pussy are right out there in the open.

It’s obvious. Sex is what sells.

Right?

No, contrary to popular opinion, it’s not the sex that gets the reader to turn those pages.

It’s the pain.

Copyblogger says so. It must be true!

Romance readers don’t keep picking up hundreds of titles a year because they want to read about sex. They come back, again and again, to read about the pain. Happy is boring. Pain is interesting. The more pain, the better. Authors just keep turning and turning and turning the screws, and readers writhe in painful ecstasy like a hot BDSM submissive slut on her way to orgasmic heaven.

And that’s just where the reader is headed, of course. And so are the characters.

Because a good Dom writer knows when to stop with the pain and start with the pleasure. To weave them together in a tapestry of delightfully terrible bliss.

To quote one of my husband’s favorite movies: (and if you name it first in the comments, I’ll give you a copy of my newest Phaze release: Sacred Spots. I’d give you an eXcessica book, but none of them currently released really have romance-y satisfying sorts of happily ever afters, and that doesn’t seem quite fair in a post about romance!

Life is pain, Princess. Anyone who tells you anything different is selling something.

Ah there’s the paradox. Because the romance novel requires, in almost all cases, a happily ever after, even if real life doesn’t always end that way. The pain has to end some time. Pain is interesting, and it works as both a marketing tool (as Copyblogger points out) and a plot vehicle, because the absence of pain feels so good. Believe me, the world looks like a tremendously more beautiful place the day after I have a migraine - much more so than on days I don’t.

As Copyblogger points out:

If the problem is bad enough, any solution feels miraculous.

As with my migraines… just the absence of pain can feel like a resolution! If you’ve put your two main characters through enough misery, all you have to do is bring them back together to satisfy the reader. Sex is a great way to do that… and of course, it’s no accident that the literal orgasm serves as a symbolic redemption for all those pages of horrible pain and misunderstanding and despair.

And once you’ve reached your climax–and in erotic romance, it’s usually simultaneous, or pretty darned close, plot-climax and characters’-climax–it’s time to go. A little cuddling afterward is fine, but not too much.

We all know what happens when a book or series or movie jumps the shark when it comes to the “too much cuddling” phase.

Anyone else remember Moonlighting? Hot and riveting… until they got together

Then… pbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbt.

Where’s the remote?

So in all this talk about sex and porn these past few weeks, it’s good to remember what really “sells” (in Copyblogger language) or appeals (in authorly language) might look like sex, and sound like sex, and feel like sex… but it isn’t really sex. Sex only serves as a symbol - it’s the closest we can come (every pun intended) as humans to one another, to redemption, to wholeness.

And we all know the journey toward that climax is what makes the ending so damned good.

Doesn’t that go for everything?

And if there’s an obstacle or two in the way? A lot of twists and turns and dead ends and fears you might not make it… and even, oh yes, even a lot of little pain involved in the process?

Oh yes.

That’s right. All romance readers are pain sluts. And the most experienced Doms writers can take them on a twisting, aching ride to Nirvana - again and again and again.

And hey…we writers don’t even need any Viagra!

~*~*~Selena Kitt~*~*~

So, you read or write erotica… But do you admit it? If your friends or family walked into the room and caught you with an erotica novel, would you tell them what you were reading, or would you subtly set it aside and pretend that it’s just another romance novel? If you write erotica, do you announce every time you’re published so that everyone knows and applauds, or do you smile secretly to yourself and remain silent?

Obviously I’m not one to talk. “secretme” on literotica.com and “Leighann Phoenix” here. If it isn’t obvious those are pen names, then I don’t know what would be. So the question really is: Is it necessary?

If you look at the recent advent and boom in the erotic lit market, then it’s pretty clear that a major portion of the population is reading the stuff, whether they’re in the closet about it or not. The point of contention, at least in American society, is that there may be something deviant about reading or writing about sex in any way that isn’t educational or for some ultimate purpose other than pleasure. It’s like sex is the best kept secret in town. We all do it, think about it, plan for it, but don’t like to admit it.

So do you think that your favorite authors would be thought less of, if they admitted to writing the stuff? Is the market becoming more acceptable as the internet makes the medium more accessible, and people are indulging?

On a related tangent: When you Google for erotic literature you will find numberless forums, discussion boards, and articles devoted to the topic of whether erotica is porn or literature. The discussion usually ends up tilting toward the subtle differences in style that would designate which category a particular story or author may fit into. Ultimately, however, I believe the issue is more intrinsic than that.

I once argued with someone that our society has it’s priorities in a seriously warped place. I had said that I would be happier to walk in on my kid watching porn, than I would be if I walked in on him/her watching a slasher flick. The person I was speaking with adopted an aghast expression and wanted to know how I could possibly justify that point of view. My answer was simple. If I do my job and raise my child with values and care, chances are that one day my child will have a family of his/her own. The only way to do that is by having sex. So one way or another my child is going to experience sex. At the very same time, if I do my job right, my child should never have to run for his/her life from a serial killer or witness a person being dismembered. The person I was talking to was surprised that I had a logical argument at all. I don’t think people really think about the topic. They let the popular media tell them what’s okay to watch/read and what isn’t.

So that brings me back to the original thought. Do you think that erotica writers and readers should hide it, while all other genre writers advertise? When you Google for information on pen names and choosing them you will find any number of sites making suggestions as to why a writer may need/choose to hide their identity. One of my favorites said: “Also, you need a separate pen name for any subject with a “taint” to it (such as erotica) if you want people to take your literary fiction or nonfiction seriously. Even Anne Rice uses a separate pen name for her erotica, though her more usual vampire novels always sit close to the border between horror and erotica.” So here’s a perfect example, horror good/erotica bad.

I suppose the debate will continue on the threads for as long as sex is a taboo. No telling how long that will be the case. I’m sure some of the argument stems from the population of writers, making a decent living off of erotica, who can’t claim the publication accomplishment without fear of condemnation by friends and family. I, for one, will continue to hide behind my pseudonym, only telling that select group of people I know who will smile with amusement, check out my writing, and say, “wow, uh, you wrote that?” But, like most people who write something they’re proud of, I’d love to get credit for it. Some day, when I’m too old to care what people think, and I can’t get fired for it, I swear I’m gonna put a banner in my front yard! “EROTIC fiction written here!”

Leighann Phoenix

Welcome to eXcessica publishing’s spiffy new digs!

Like ‘em?

So far, eXcessica has over twenty writers (since we opened our doors a mere week and a half ago!) and they span the spectrum from award-winning, bestselling authors who are published elsewhere with some of the largest e-and-print publishers in the business to hot, brand new, fledgling talent!

eXcessica is currently offering fourteen titles by six different authors, with fifteen more on the “Coming Soon!” list (and more going up every day!)

We have created a myspace page (please feel free to “friend” us!)

We also have a Yahoo Group, so you can keep up with what’s new and hot at eXcessica and talk with all of our authors! (We’re a fun and rowdy bunch!)

Just by joining, you’re automatically entered for a chance to WIN some fabulous gift certificates (Barnes & Noble), print books, and even more!

Winners will be announced May 15, 2008, so JOIN NOW!

All of our authors will be taking turns on the blog, so you can look forward to getting to know each of us. Should be fun!

And don’t forget - if you’re an erotic writer interested in submitting to eXcessica, please check out our submissions page!

We’re off to a great start…

*raising champagne glass*

Here’s to an eXcessively pleasureable future! *wink*

xoxo

Selena Kitt

Erotic Fiction You Won’t Forget

Wanna Purrrrrrr With Pleasure?