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Is Writing Erotica Worth It?

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Quote by Magical_felix
I probably have one of the better records when it comes to comps and it's still not "worth" it money wise.

The one time it was worth it was when a new girlfriend discovered it and read it and the first thing she said was "...you want to put it in my butt." So that made that easy. That was the only time I was like wow this writing nonsense worked out.


If I had a writer in real life I'd let him put it anywhere he wanted to.
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Wow those statistics are cruel. Sounds like even writers who have got published haven't had much in the way of results (money-wise, not spiritually-wise).

Is the problem that the market place is so awash with wannabee writers and that it's hard to even get noticed because of that? I heard of one self publishing fellow called JA Konrath on my internet travels who has done well, but that doesn't seem to be the general case from these answers.

Sorry for responding so late, but thanks for these honest replies.
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Quote by CherylK
Wow those statistics are cruel. Sounds like even writers who have got published haven't had much in the way of results (money-wise, not spiritually-wise).

Is the problem that the market place is so awash with wannabee writers and that it's hard to even get noticed because of that? I heard of one self publishing fellow called JA Konrath on my internet travels who has done well, but that doesn't seem to be the general case from these answers.

Sorry for responding so late, but thanks for these honest replies.


Well I'm a horse of a different color.

I started writing - purely for self-enjoyment - in 2012, I think. (Here at Lush).

Later, I took myself seriously enough to pursue both self-publishing and trad-publishing for my Erotica (I write a bit of everything under a few separate pen names). It's treating me well. Was it quick to treat me well? No. The market has changed. It's become easier to publish and so the market is swamped. But a lot of people chasing money, who don't have business savvy, have backed out of the game. You must approach it like a business if you want to see success.

The start-game has changed for new authors. When I began writing, Kindle Unlimited was a hot spot for money-making on short stories. Now that's dead (for short stories... and becoming more difficult for novelists to make pennies too). But now I have a back catalog that's quite thick and that continues to sell.

I've puzzled myself with my financial success. Last year I went back to college to pursue a degree in Marketing. I haven't published a new story to a paying market since last year in August. However, I'm still bringing in a steady income. However, all other authors who step away seem to suffer a 'cliff' - a 30 day or 90 cliff in which their writings stop selling. The result looks like a cliff where sales swan-dive to a flatline of 0. I seem immune to this and I think it's because of my robust catalog, mix of both trad and self publishing, and continuous push to 'go wide' (publish beyond the limitation of 'just Amazon/KU').

So for me, there's magic in the sauce. I'm not the only one either.

There is a problem, though, in the writing world when penning Erotica. We're treated a bit like scum by a fair number of 'serious' authors. Not all, but enough to create significant discord in writing-support sites here and there. So I saw the greatest rise in success when I found groups of self/trad published Erotica authors and joined those inner circles.

Per free stories . . . these act as a story incubator for me. It's a great way to connect to readers, find out what they're interested in, understand the human psyche, and generate awareness. In essence, free stories are advertisement. It's a barometer of success.
Magical_felix
Wild at Heart
Quote by CherylK


If I had a writer in real life I'd let him put it anywhere he wanted to.


Well that is very nice Cheryl.
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Also, another thought that occurs to me is erotica shame. It suddenly occurred to me that erotic stories/novels have a marketing problem built into them, because people are less willing to admit they read it than that they read, say, Stephenie Meyer (an interesting side-note here is that I believe 50 Shades started out as fan fiction on a site dedicated to Twilight - maybe that's how it took off). Doesn't that work against erotica building momentum through word of mouth? Hard to see how it wouldn't, really.
Burquette
Bug
Quote by CherylK
Also, another thought that occurs to me is erotica shame. It suddenly occurred to me that erotic stories/novels have a marketing problem built into them, because people are less willing to admit they read it than that they read, say, Stephenie Meyer (an interesting side-note here is that I believe 50 Shades started out as fan fiction on a site dedicated to Twilight - maybe that's how it took off). Doesn't that work against erotica building momentum through word of mouth? Hard to see how it wouldn't, really.


This is absolutely true. There was an e-publisher that was trying to market to the concept that if you're reading erotica on an e-reader, nobody needs to see the cover of your novel. At the time I took public transportation and could completely see why you might want that.

Although, when I wrote on the bus, people would read over my shoulder all the time (blush, clear their throats, and keep reading). One even offered to give me tips on writing a succubus. Helpful fellow.
Burquette
Bug
Quote by CherylK


If I had a writer in real life I'd let him put it anywhere he wanted to.


That actually is super nice of you. Especially since you don't know why Felix is Magical (hint: donkey schlong)
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Quote by CherylK
Also, another thought that occurs to me is erotica shame. It suddenly occurred to me that erotic stories/novels have a marketing problem built into them, because people are less willing to admit they read it than that they read, say, Stephenie Meyer (an interesting side-note here is that I believe 50 Shades started out as fan fiction on a site dedicated to Twilight - maybe that's how it took off). Doesn't that work against erotica building momentum through word of mouth? Hard to see how it wouldn't, really.


I think you need to understand more of Romance, Erotica, and the tale of 50 Shades of Grey so you can let the 50 Shades thing go...

Yes, it was originally a Twilight fanfiction piece. James saw great success with it at the fanfiction website she posted it at and then self-published it. It became such a good seller than a Big Five publisher scooped her up with a contract.

50 Shades no longer has much sway in Erotica. It did help to spark an interest and a bit of a trending boom for BDSM flavored stories, some look-alike books, but these days people are wanting very different things. Original content, for one.

Also, 50 Shades is not strictly Erotica. It's Romance-Erotica which is a different kettle of fish than strictly Erotica. And since it's a series, only teh first book is toward the Erotica side. As the story progresses, the series becomes more and more Romance-oriented, ending with a very 'baby/family' trope.

Overall, you need to decide if you want to write Romance stories where the relationship, love and related conflict is the story, or if you want to write sex stories where sex drives the plot and the character's actions. You have to let go of this interest in 50 Shades as it will do next to nothing for aspiring authors in either of the genres. It was sort of a freak anomaly.
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Only if your diet is cheese crackers.
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Quote by Metilda


I think you need to understand more of Romance, Erotica, and the tale of 50 Shades of Grey so you can let the 50 Shades thing go...

Yes, it was originally a Twilight fanfiction piece. James saw great success with it at the fanfiction website she posted it at and then self-published it. It became such a good seller than a Big Five publisher scooped her up with a contract.

50 Shades no longer has much sway in Erotica. It did help to spark an interest and a bit of a trending boom for BDSM flavored stories, some look-alike books, but these days people are wanting very different things. Original content, for one.

Also, 50 Shades is not strictly Erotica. It's Romance-Erotica which is a different kettle of fish than strictly Erotica. And since it's a series, only teh first book is toward the Erotica side. As the story progresses, the series becomes more and more Romance-oriented, ending with a very 'baby/family' trope.

Overall, you need to decide if you want to write Romance stories where the relationship, love and related conflict is the story, or if you want to write sex stories where sex drives the plot and the character's actions. You have to let go of this interest in 50 Shades as it will do next to nothing for aspiring authors in either of the genres. It was sort of a freak anomaly.


Yes, I did start the thread by saying that 50 Shades is dead and I referred to it in the post that you quoted only as a side-note, as stated. 50 Shades is just the obvious ball to swing a bat at when discussing erotic fiction.
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Quote by Burquette


That actually is super nice of you. Especially since you don't know why Felix is Magical (hint: donkey schlong)


It's always the innocent looking ones who have an Eor in their pocket.
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I know this isn't about EL James but I can use her to answer the question.

The 50 Shades series of books, plus films, merchandise (dolls?), and what-not, have made her $80 Million USD. Probably the first book did all the work, I mean, you don't have to make any effort with the second and third ones if the first is a ground-shaking phenomenon on the original 50 Shades scale. So here's MY maths on the subject.

Write 100 books, all of which fail.
Write 1 book as good as 50 Shades of Gray
Sell 100 000 000 copies and make $80 Million
$80 Million / 100 books = $800 000 per book
1 book = 100 000 words
= $8 USD per word
...
Write 10 words per hour
Earn $80 per hour
Work 2 hours a day (3 if there's no Eastenders)
Make $160 a day
Earn $800 a week (I object to working on weekends)
$800 a week = $40 000 a year ...
... for 2 hours a day

Sounds good to me?
starhunter
Rookie Scribe
Hi Everybody,

Greetings to all of you from Star Hunter, India.

I am not a writer and hence cannot vouch on the merits of writing Erotica. However, people like me find immense pleasure and excitement reading erotica, like those I am reading here. Erotica writers know very well that they can induce readers to become writers sooner or later. I find it extremely useful to read some erotic stories after every stressful day at work. Sometimes money need not be the only motivation factor or doing something that is loved by others. Thanks.

Star Hunter
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It's defo worth it for me. It helps me reminisce the good and days, and gives me one hell of a stiffy.
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Quote by starhunter
Hi Everybody,

Greetings to all of you from Star Hunter, India.

I am not a writer and hence cannot vouch on the merits of writing Erotica. However, people like me find immense pleasure and excitement reading erotica, like those I am reading here. Erotica writers know very well that they can induce readers to become writers sooner or later. I find it extremely useful to read some erotic stories after every stressful day at work. Sometimes money need not be the only motivation factor or doing something that is loved by others. Thanks.

Star Hunter


Very true. Well said.
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I've been trying get this through to people's head for years: Erotica is a sub-genre.

Your novels will not appeal to the mainstream audience if they are entirely based on sex. If you want to appeal to a wider audience write an adventure novel with a heavy erotica vibe. Or even better, do what I do. Write crime/erotica novels.

I've written 5 novels now in the crime/erotica genre and every one has been a hit. I don't upload them online because I know people will steal them and make money off them. Instead I convert them to mobi format for the kindle and send out copies to friends and family. Every person that reads them tell me they're amazing, that they couldn't put it down, they read it in 2 or 3 sittings. They advise me to send them off to publishing companies or sell them on Amazon in e-book format.

Problem is, I'm not interested in making money. If I wrote a novel with the intention of making money, it would take all the fun out of it for me. Besides which, I'm already loaded, so it's pointless making cash from writing.

I hope this helps you guys who are trying make a few quid with your novels.
Verbal
Gravelly-Voiced Fucker
I'm trying the trad-publishing route now with erotica zines, on-line and print, and am setting up to give self-pub a shot too (suggestions welcome). Right now I'm building the story covers in Canva and Photoshop.

Someone in my writer's group said his publisher used the term "new adult" to describe people who did not read anything prior to 50 Shades, but were turned on to reading by the books, and continue to read in that narrow genre.

Personally, I am convinced that "upscale erotica" is a viable genre that can sell well. Hot sex, but with genuine literary value. Doesn't seem to be a lot of that out there. We shall see.
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Quote by Raza
I've been trying get this through to people's head for years: Erotica is a sub-genre.

Your novels will not appeal to the mainstream audience if they are entirely based on sex. If you want to appeal to a wider audience write an adventure novel with a heavy erotica vibe. Or even better, do what I do. Write crime/erotica novels.

I've written 5 novels now in the crime/erotica genre and every one has been a hit. I don't upload them online because I know people will steal them and make money off them. Instead I convert them to mobi format for the kindle and send out copies to friends and family. Every person that reads them tell me they're amazing, that they couldn't put it down, they read it in 2 or 3 sittings. They advise me to send them off to publishing companies or sell them on Amazon in e-book format.

Problem is, I'm not interested in making money. If I wrote a novel with the intention of making money, it would take all the fun out of it for me. Besides which, I'm already loaded, so it's pointless making cash from writing.

I hope this helps you guys who are trying make a few quid with your novels.


Erotica is not a sub-genre. It's a genre . . . with multiple sub-genres of its own. Suspense could be a sub-genre of Erotica (for example) in the same way that Historical could be a sub-genre of Romance.

Every genre is defined by a lose industry standard / reader expectation . . . some things are cemented by BISG, which codes and catalogs books by content and concept with a series of BISAC headings. Some things are more trendy and come and go depending on popular demand and temporary interests.

Erotic content can be added to any book - a Romance can be steamy, a Crime novel can be kinky - but that doesn't mean those books are able to be categorized as Erotica. Vise versa. The primary plot and purpose of the book is what governs its genre.

Quote by Verbal
I'm trying the trad-publishing route now with erotica zines, on-line and print, and am setting up to give self-pub a shot too (suggestions welcome). Right now I'm building the story covers in Canva and Photoshop.

Someone in my writer's group said his publisher used the term "new adult" to describe people who did not read anything prior to 50 Shades, but were turned on to reading by the books, and continue to read in that narrow genre.

Personally, I am convinced that "upscale erotica" is a viable genre that can sell well. Hot sex, but with genuine literary value. Doesn't seem to be a lot of that out there. We shall see.


All genres at some point in time have a book that might have shifted the concept of the genre or brought in new readers.

Upscale interests are re-emerging, though they've always been around. It has other terms, as well, like high-brow, refined, literary (etc). This is great for authors like me. The thing that draws me to Erotica is the workings of the character's thought processes about sexual desires, urges, and compulsions - and as the literary crowd searches for more, I'm able to explore things beyond the stroke-story concepts. (Which I love just as much as any fan, but a lot of my writing is deeper than that).
Cindy_d
Active Ink Slinger
Is Writing Erotica Worth It?

Hmmmm.....
Hard question to answer for me... did write a few on my blog (profile), personally enjoyed writing them.
But... did find it very challenging to keep to the maximum character limit, without lose the substance of my writing. lol
Was always told: when writing for clarity, less is more!! Time will tell, didn't get any comments yet... so stay tune lol

Did submit my first story yesterday... waiting to be publish...

So, to answer the question... lol
Yes... it was worth it for me... made feel good at the time..
Hope Breaking taboos around my sexuality.
I can understand you might be a little apprehensive to chat with me because of my age.
It is difficult for ladies to want to chat with me, because there is a huge stigma and a certain level of taboo connected to my age.
What is it exactly that makes mature woman attractive to me?
Have you ever really looked deeply at and felt a mature woman?
For me…
There is a sense of something rich, mature and possibly deep that can emanate through her body, a quality that is attractive in and of itself.
She usually offers an image of the aging gracefully, sexy mature woman as something that is desirable, something that aspire me to and look forward to being one day – beautiful mature women. They still so radiant because what’s inside always shines outward. They teach me to love myself, and love my life, and I will attract others.
My Personal Vids and pics updated Sep. 22, 2018 HAVE A GREAT DAY!! Meow!!!
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If you are going to write erotica for a living, you best have your home paid for, and a pantry full of food. I have erotica is my bookshop, and it makes up less than !%
of my sales.
Verbal
Gravelly-Voiced Fucker
Quote by Adagio
If you are going to write erotica for a living, you best have your home paid for, and a pantry full of food. I have erotica is my bookshop, and it makes up less than !%
of my sales.


I have a home, food, a day job, and no illusions that I can make a living at this.

Quote by Metilda


All genres at some point in time have a book that might have shifted the concept of the genre or brought in new readers.

Upscale interests are re-emerging, though they've always been around. It has other terms, as well, like high-brow, refined, literary (etc). This is great for authors like me. The thing that draws me to Erotica is the workings of the character's thought processes about sexual desires, urges, and compulsions - and as the literary crowd searches for more, I'm able to explore things beyond the stroke-story concepts. (Which I love just as much as any fan, but a lot of my writing is deeper than that).


I think there is sometimes a false dichotomy between stroke-story and higher literary goals. Who says a story can't be both hot and well-written? Sexy AND interesting.

I admire your understanding of the market out there. I have friends doing this in SF/F, but erotica seems to have a much more byzantine set of hoops to jump through.
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Quote by Verbal


I think there is sometimes a false dichotomy between stroke-story and higher literary goals. Who says a story can't be both hot and well-written? Sexy AND interesting.

I admire your understanding of the market out there. I have friends doing this in SF/F, but erotica seems to have a much more byzantine set of hoops to jump through.


It's just two very different goals for the reader and author and somewhere in there a lot of authors get lost and go down the wrong path - one approach is aimed at pure pleasure and excitement, the other is aimed toward a need for deeper understanding of the nature of sex itself and, usually for those in this second group, that deeper understanding is where the pleasure and excitement is at.

But I've been clicking away at both pathways for years, which is the only way I know the ins and outs... back when I first started I really felt like I was one of the very few who read and wrote literary erotica. when trying to find well written erotica on this caliper I noted a huge gap in publishing years - a few decades where it was not published in most publishing arenas.
Verbal
Gravelly-Voiced Fucker
Quote by Metilda


...the other is aimed toward a need for deeper understanding of the nature of sex itself and...that deeper understanding is where the pleasure and excitement is at.



Very well put.
Unknown User
I'm still getting to know the market and I'm finding that I'm unfamiliar with some of the terminology - New Adult for example. It definitely seems to be the sub-genre of the moment but I haven't quite figured out exactly what it is? I know it refers to an age group (18 - 30) but I don't know how explicit books for that genre can be. Maybe someone can enlighten me?
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Quote by Saucymh
I'm still getting to know the market and I'm finding that I'm unfamiliar with some of the terminology - New Adult for example. It definitely seems to be the sub-genre of the moment but I haven't quite figured out exactly what it is? I know it refers to an age group (18 - 30) but I don't know how explicit books for that genre can be. Maybe someone can enlighten me?


New Adult, generally speaking, are stories that are designed to appeal to young adults (college age / just after college / young adults heading out on their own for the first time). This is where you find stories with characters getting their first home on their own and so on.

But because it's a vague thing set around 'generalized life milestone interests' a lot of authors don't really know what it is meant for and thus it's used as a general catch-all.
Unknown User
Quote by Metilda


New Adult, generally speaking, are stories that are designed to appeal to young adults (college age / just after college / young adults heading out on their own for the first time). This is where you find stories with characters getting their first home on their own and so on.

But because it's a vague thing set around 'generalized life milestone interests' a lot of authors don't really know what it is meant for and thus it's used as a general catch-all.


Cheers

I'm learning. Slowly.
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Lurker
New Adult? That's a new one on me lol. I suppose that technically I'm a New Adult ... and when New Adults start having sex, that's called an 18-30 holiday, isn't it?

Is this a mainstream thing that's happening? It sounds more like a cross-genre to me.

Also ... isn't it a sign that contemporary fiction is running out of ideas when whole genres are created around something as ordinary as growing up?
Verbal
Gravelly-Voiced Fucker
Quote by Saucymh


Cheers

I'm learning. Slowly.


Me too. Slowly. You and Metilda are quite a bit further down this road than I. Didn't know I could successfully publish in the Romance genre until last week!

I have come across at least three different definitions of the New Adult genre.

If I can ask both Mags and Metilda: how do you drive traffic to your books, or the site that's promos your books? If you are writing erotica, you don't even have the option of friends and family being part of your base, because you don't want to scandalize poor Aunt Helen. smile I think I can keep an audience, but how do I build it?
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Quote by Verbal


Me too. Slowly. You and Metilda are quite a bit further down this road than I. Didn't know I could successfully publish in the Romance genre until last week!

I have come across at least three different definitions of the New Adult genre.

If I can ask both Mags and Metilda: how do you drive traffic to your books, or the site that's promos your books? If you are writing erotica, you don't even have the option of friends and family being part of your base, because you don't want to scandalize poor Aunt Helen. smile I think I can keep an audience, but how do I build it?


Just now saw this question - sorry about the late response.

I advertise through a number of paid-for sites and newsletters (these change time to time so sometimes you have to just search the web and see what comes up).

I have a several websites (as I publish in several pen names). One site is primary - meaning the others I don't fuss with that often, my primary site I maintain an active blog and it generates a lot of views.

I do have social media accounts but haven't actually been to any of them in about a year - which is bad, but I'm in college and my personal life turned to hell this year so I sort of put writing aside for a while.

I do have personal friends who read my work . . . but not family. However, even if I wrote pieces my family would approve of I would likely not clue them in because I like to keep as much distance between me and them as is possible. It's like having any other career - don't come to my work and chat me up.

Now, I started publishing here at Lush and once I refined my writing I dared to venture into the wild blue. It wasn't easy to begin with - I messed up a few times, started different pen names, had a problem with a family member who was too clever for her own britches and took offense to my 'hobby' . . . so I started over (and over) until I figured it out. But then, I'm doing 100% solo. I rarely pay outsiders to do work for me so I format, edit, revise, proof, create my own cover art and do my own research (for short stories - novels are a far more serious game).

I also actively maintain a presence in areas where other authors frequent (here - there - everywhere). I'm more active in my writing groups than in my publishing routine.
rafael
Advanced Wordsmith
Quote by Metilda


Just now saw this question - sorry about the late response.

I advertise through a number of paid-for sites and newsletters (these change time to time so sometimes you have to just search the web and see what comes up).

I have a several websites (as I publish in several pen names). One site is primary - meaning the others I don't fuss with that often, my primary site I maintain an active blog and it generates a lot of views.

I do have social media accounts but haven't actually been to any of them in about a year - which is bad, but I'm in college and my personal life turned to hell this year so I sort of put writing aside for a while.

I do have personal friends who read my work . . . but not family. However, even if I wrote pieces my family would approve of I would likely not clue them in because I like to keep as much distance between me and them as is possible. It's like having any other career - don't come to my work and chat me up.

Now, I started publishing here at Lush and once I refined my writing I dared to venture into the wild blue. It wasn't easy to begin with - I messed up a few times, started different pen names, had a problem with a family member who was too clever for her own britches and took offense to my 'hobby' . . . so I started over (and over) until I figured it out. But then, I'm doing 100% solo. I rarely pay outsiders to do work for me so I format, edit, revise, proof, create my own cover art and do my own research (for short stories - novels are a far more serious game).

I also actively maintain a presence in areas where other authors frequent (here - there - everywhere). I'm more active in my writing groups than in my publishing routine.


Can I ask whether you blog/sites have much visual erotic content - images and videos. And if so - do any of them feature you.