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--- Writing Porn For Fun and Profit! --- ========================================= Hope y'all had a great Valentine's Day. The best part for me was when my ten year old daughter said "you're always getting us nice things for Valentine's Day, I want to get you something." Then she had me take her to the store and she bought me a miniature rose plant with her own money. Aw....shucks... Still cold and snowy here in Colorado...brrrrrr. In today's issue we've got a great article on writing dark erotica by Duana R. Anderson. Plus Duana's put together a listing of markets and resources, click on the link at the end of the article to check it out. As promised I have some listings for both sexes this time! And plenty of good news in Goings On. Alas, no message boards as of yet, but I'm working on it. The big news for this issue is that I'm finally close to doing something with all that market info I've been collecting! As you probably know, originally I was going to put together a book of porn and erotica listings and update it once or twice a year. But I've found that while I wait, gathering enough markets to fill a book, some of them are already out of date. So, to keep everything current, which is so important in the publishing world, I decided to go with that old standby, the newsletter. See "The Porn and Erotica Market Report" below for more info! Keep in touch, let me know what kinds of info you'd like to see and enjoy this issue! Katy ============================================== Finally, it's (almost) here! On March 1st I'll launch the first (monthly) issue of The Porn and Erotica Market Report. Packed full of updated market listings, calls for submissions, book reviews, editor interviews, articles and any other information I can get my hands on, the Market Report will be your one-stop guide to writing and publishing your work! Delivered to your e-mail box as a PDF file (or Word Doc if you request it) for only $8.95 for 6 issues, the Porn and Erotica Market Report will keep you up to date on all the latest goings on in the porn biz. Order your subscription Here!
Do you know of any great places to publish porn or erotica? Send 'em on out...for every listing I use I'll give you one free month of The Porn and Erotica
Market Report!
=========================================== Dark Erotica Defined 'Dark erotica' is not easily defined. In fact, everyone has their own idea of what it is. I have seen 'dark erotica' described as: sexual horror, erotic horror, gothic erotica, pagan erotica, dark fantasy, romantic horror, gothic romanticism, fetish, BDSM, alternative, underground, urban erotica, paranormal romance, romantic tragedy, science fiction and fantasy, which primarily fall under the huge heading of genre or speculative fiction. There seems to be no limit to what 'dark erotic' includes from moody and atmospheric, to sensual and romantic, to raw, edgy, provocative, dark, sinister, bizarre, smutty, sexy, sizzling, urban and utterly pornographic. The only limit is your own imagination. The keys words here are FEAR and LUST. FEAR and LUST are at the root of our primal emotions. They originate from the swampy beginnings of our ancestral birth at the core of our reptilian brains. It was these instincts that saved our species from extinction, through procreation and by anticipating unforeseen dangers. They come naturally to us. Likewise, we are junkies to FEAR and LUST. That's why we crave a good scare from a horror movie, or long to crawl under the sheets with an erotic novel. We receive the same kind of sensations from a terrifying experience, as we do from sexual arousal. Both are manifested by similar physical responses in our bodies. Both embody an element of danger, which is quite compelling. It is not unusual then, that FEAR and LUST have an interwoven relationship, each feeding off the other like a pair of sycophants. Our thirst for each is naturally intensified, and 'dark erotica' has become the embodiment of both. Writing Dark Erotica One thing 'dark erotica' is not however, is badly written trash. There seems to be a misconception that all erotica is just sex scenes and all horror is visceral in-your-face splatter gore fiction. Excessive violence and explicit sex does not make a 'dark erotic' story. You can have these elements in a story, but they are not what drives the story. 'Dark erotica', just like all well written fiction in any genre includes intriguing, well-developed characters, a plot with conflict, a mood, atmosphere, interesting setting, well-written prose, good punctuation, grammar, spelling. 'Dark erotica' doesn't even need to have any "sex" in it at all. It can be sensual, a mood that is seductive or a writer's style that is evocative. Don't be afraid to tease you readers like a stripper, slowly revealing more as you arouse their curiosity. Never forget that the mind is also an erogenous zone as well, and appeal to all the senses. Yes, 'dark erotica' can even be intelligent and literate. The same applies to explicit violence and gore. Often, what is not revealed can be more provocative and creepy. As the saying goes: "It is not enough to Conquer, One must know how to Seduce."--Voltaire. That is not to say that explicit sex scenes and the macabre are not welcome in 'dark erotica', but they must be done well. If you are not sure what 'dark erotica' is or how to write it, then read plenty of it. Simply punch 'dark erotica' into a search engine (my new favorite is GOOGLE.COM) and start to explore the complexities and styles of this genre. I have listed many online venues in the markets section of this article. Choose quality sites and stories as your guides. Write what turns you on personally. Explore your deepest, darkest fantasies. Hone your skill, develop your own personal voice and style, and let your imagination be your muse. Market Research Finding markets is now made easier with the advent of the Internet. To find good markets try 'publishers of erotica' in a search engine. Scour the market lists such as Scavengers, Gila Queen, and Spicy Green Iguana. If you prefer pulp, buy books and magazines you enjoy and send away for the guidelines. Buy a "best of" anthology and note the previous publishers on the copyright page, as many of the stories are reprints. Who are your favorite authors? Who is publishing them? Keep a list of these publishers on your hard drive so you can access them when you have a story ready for a specific market. Most publishers of 'dark erotica' are looking for fiction that goes beyond the norm and cross-breeds a variation of genres into a new age mixture. These publishers are interested in experimental fiction that cannot be pigeon-holed and explores new styles and ways of "telling a story." This is why 'dark erotica' has become so popular over the past few years. 'Dark erotica' is at the forefront of the evolutionary speculative fiction genre. There are, however a few things that most publishers no longer want to see. These include vampire fiction, werewolves, bondage dungeons, typical monsters, typical scenarios without any new slants or imagination. That's not to say that they won't publish these types of fiction, but they better be a) Great, and b) a new twist on an old theme. With that in mind, it is a good rule of thumb to research specific markets to find out exactly what that publisher wants. Starting Out So, if 'dark erotica' is such a great up-and-coming genre, how come I can't find any good paying markets, you might ask. There are paying markets out there. You just have to do you research. I have included a few markets and resources on the web at the end of this article for you to use as a starting place. When you are first starting in this genre, you may want to try some of the non-paying high quality markets to get your foot in the door. As a writer of 'dark erotica' myself I believe authors should be compensated for the outpourings of our soul. On the other hand, many 'dark erotic' markets are underground and small press, alternative publications and can't afford to pay professional rates, paying only in contributor copies or royalties or sometimes only in exposure. This can often be discouraging to writers starting off in the genre. So, why do it? It certainly is not to get rich, unless any of you are entertaining thoughts of becoming the next Stephen King. But there are advantages to submitting to low or non-paying markets. One is publishing credits. This is especially important for novice writers. I don't recommend submitting to any old place, just to see your name in print. Do your homework. Read publication guidelines, look at who they are publishing, find out how well respected they are. Once you get your foot in the door the editor may turn you on to other publications and projects they are working on that do pay. The more widely your work is read, the more you build a name for yourself. This will in turn lead to publications that pay. I have found this to be the case for myself. And finally. Do it because you love/want/need to. Because you
have all these deep dark fantasies burning in your mind that you
must exorcize by putting pen to paper (or fingers to key board,
which ever the case may be). Isn't that why we all write
anyway? Because we can't stop ourselves? So go on now. Scare
me with your dark verse. Entice me with your steamy words.
Enter me with your tales of fear and lust, darkly and deeply. (Click here for Duana's list of dark erotica resources and markets.) ~ Bio: duana r. anderson is an author, poet, artist, photographer and filmmaker. Her works explore the genres of dark erotica, horror, dark fantasy and gothic romance. Her short stories, articles and poetry had been most recently featured in Suspect Thoughts, Gothic Net, Amoret Journal, Waning and Waxing, Venus or Vixen, Earwig Flesh Factory, Scarlet Letters and Tears on Black Roses. New works will be appearing soon in the next issues of Parchment Symbols and Dancing Skinless. Visit her cyber lair 'The Daughter of Darkness' to find out more about her upcoming illustrated chapbook 'Blood Feast: Tales of Vampire Seduction', and to unearth the worms that crawl inside her mind: http://duanah.tripod.com =========================================== Paying: NEXUS BOOKS: Virgin Publishing Ltd, Thames Wharf Studios, Rainville Road, London W6 9HA. P: 44 (0) 207 386 3304. F: 44 (0) 207 386 3360. E-mail:ksharp@virgin-pub.co.uk (but NO ms by email, please!). Website: www.nexus-books.co.uk. CONTACT: Paul Copperwaite - Editor. Fetish-oriented erotica aimed at a male market. 2 new titles per month. Circulation: 10,000 per title. Works with new writers. Responds in 6 months. Purchases all world rights. Pays writers half on signing of contract, half on publication. Publishes manuscripts approximately one year after acceptance. Obtain guidelines via website or via mail with SASE (British stamp). Sample copies available in major retail outlets: Borders/ Barnes and Noble in US. Submit with synopsis and 10,000 words. Current book titles available on website. Cost: $6.95 per title. CURRENT NEEDS: See guidelines. PAYMENT: On average £1000 - £1500 split into two payments. WORD COUNT: 75,000 - 85,000 words. HINTS: Common mistakes - providing cliched settings i.e. girls' academies, fantasy islands and cloistered worlds. Aim for an element of surprise and be imaginative. Between consenting adults, the sky's the limit. CP and bondage very popular: fem-sub and fem-dom are liked. Very good idea to get hold of current titles for an idea of what we're looking for. Non-paying: SEXILICIOUS: Website: http://www.Sexilicious.com. E-mail: Editrix@sexilicious.com. CONTACT: Editrix, Editor in Chief. Sexilicious is a free erotic community, published weekly, for women and their partners. We encourage positive and healthy sexuality through weekly articles, erotica and advice columns. 15,000 unique visitors weekly. 50% freelance writers. Eager to work with new writers. Responds in one week. Purchases no rights, contributors' may reprint articles/erotica at their own discretion. Publishes manuscripts approximately one month after acceptance. Obtain guidelines via email. Submit manuscript via email. Include link back plus any information for inclusion in byline. CURRENT NEEDS: We are looking for articles about the "female experience," ie: body image, sex, sexuality etc. We are also seeking creative, quality erotica for women. PAYMENT: Unfortunately, we do not pay our contributor's at this time. We do offer a link to the author's email (or to a private sexilicious.com email account) for readers to provide feedback and a link to any URL the writer wishes to redirect the readers to. WORD COUNT: Minimum - 250 words, maximum - 3000 words. REPRINTS: Yes, we will accept reprints at the author's discretion. HINTS: We encourage contributors to explore their creative and individual voice. We believe that erotica is an artform and are pleased to feature work that doesn't restrict itself to traditional boundaries.
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=========================================== Do you have a story to share? Are you happy with your writing career? Struggling, frustrated, inspired? Please send your thoughts, other writers are interested in knowing how you feel! =========================================== Congrats to Ellen Tevault and Edo van Belkom! If I missed anyone, I'm sorry, just send me your info again and I'll be sure to get it out in the next issue.... --- Ellen submitted "Medusa's Mistress" to
www.AdultStoryCorner.com and it was accepted the same day with these comments from the editor: "I am not sure if this fits but it is just too well written and
interesting to pass up."
~ Edo van Belkom has three new books out... SIX-INCH SPIKES - DarkTales Publications (www.darktales.com) Bram Stoker Award winner Edo van Belkom's second collection of horror stories, this time with an erotic bent. SIX-INCH SPIKES features fifteen short stories (three of them original to the collection) as well as an introduction by journalist and editor Michael Rowe. Among the stories are the novella "Yours Truly, Jackie the Stripper," the BEST AMERICAN EROTICA 1999 reprinted "The Terminatrix" and "End of the Road" which THE HELIOCENTRIC NET called, "A hitchhiking sotry with a twist ending that will almost snap your neck. Van Belkom delivers a spirited tale with just the right amount of pace, withheld info, and gore." WRITING EROTICA - Self-Counsel Press (www.self-counsel.com) A follow-up to the successful WRITING HORROR, this nonfiction "How-to" asks questions like "What turns you on?" and provides answers to the questions "How does erotica work?' and "What to Write? Where to Sell?" Includes market information, practical instruction and interviews with such writers as Nancy Kilpatrick, Michael Bracken, Michael Thomas Ford, Caro Soles, Kathryn Ptacek, Cecilia Tan, Susie Bright and Lawrence Block. TEETH - Meisha Merlin Publishing (www.meishamerlin.com) Detective Joe Williamson is dealing with the loss of his wife to cancer and struggling to raise a teenage daughter on his own. Men are being violently murdered in the usually quiet city of Brampton, Ontario. There's no apparent connection between any of the victims -- which range from a small-time drug dealer to the and the city's most respected philanthropist -- yet there seems to be no shortage of suspects for each of the victims. As the body count rises, Detective Williamson is under pressure from all sides to solve the case, but all he has to go on is a single, tiny tooth. "Relentlessly suspenseful, TEETH is a classy blend of hard-edged crime thriller and over-the-top sexual horror." Lucy Taylor, author of UNNATRUAL ACTS.
~ I've got my revamped website up and running here - www.KatyTerrega.com. Take a look and let me know what you think! In case you're thinking of starting your own story site, I'll warn you right now that mine doesn't make any money! Unfortunately I've got no advice to offer. But one of my goals for this year is to make the site not only profitable for my stories, but also to use it as a forum for other authors as well. I'd love to be buying and selling stories for all of us by the end of the year! Help me visualize, okay? --- Tell me what's going on! Have you made a sale? Do you have a piece being published? Let me know and I'll print it here for all to see! --- Check out my column at http://www.AbsoluteWrite.com on writing porn. Last week I wrote about how to break into the letters market. =============================================== =========================================== Q: Can I write about my personal sexual experiences? A: Well, yes and no. Any of your sexual experiences (as well as fantasies of the same) can and should be used as fodder for your stories. Everything you've ever done (or thought about doing) has the potential to become a great story or letter. There are two important things to remember, however: First, when writing porn, remember that you're dealing with fiction. Often, a completely "true" story lacks depth, there's not enough fiction mixed in with the truth to keep a reader or editor interested. You have to craft your characters and settings and plot with the same care you'd use for a fiction piece. Second, writing and selling porn is a job. While that story about how you seduced a stranger last summer may be hot, it still has to fit into a magazine's format. Writing for your market may mean that you'll need to fictionalize certain parts of your story to make it fit. The important thing about writing from personal experience is not to get locked into anything. Use your own sex life as a starting place and go from there! =========================================== I'd love articles on specific markets. There are so many sub-genres of porn and it's hard to know the subtleties of each. If you've got a specialty, from BDSM to Watersports to Leg Sex to Amputeeism, feel free to share your knowledge. You can either suggest a topic (query) or send something whole. I'll get back to you within a week as to whether or not I'll be able to use it. Right now I'm paying with a copy of the updated It's A Dirty Job...(plus credits) but as SOON as this site is self-supporting I'll be able to offer some cash. ============CLASSIFIEDS==================== ========================================== Writing Porn For Fun and Profit! Katy Terrega |