January 9, 2009
Not all erotic romances are created equal
Getting published is no easy task. Even once you’ve managed to get something in print (or electronic print for some of us), there is no guarantee your next book will be contracted.
As a writer, sometimes I don’t know where my ideas truly come from or why one book speaks to me more than another. I might decide to write a story that I think will be really hot and really fabulous and hit all the right buttons, but as I start to write that book, it takes me in another direction. A direction that maybe some publishers of erotic romance believe doesn’t fit their requirements for ’sex.’
I was told by a few different publishers that my book THE OPAL HUNTER didn’t have enough sex for an erotic romance.
It was disappointing. I’d spent a good amount of energy on creating two really vibrant characters who had some baggage…and really enjoyed building the tension between these two people so that their sexual interactions were believable and made sense. I thought this was what readers wanted.
It wasn’t as if the sex wasn’t hot or ‘erotic’ enough. These publishers just told me there wasn’t enough sex. Period. I’m guessing because there really isn’t any two people sex for a few chapters. But there is a lot of story. 
Then, along came Liquid Silver. Their new Sterling line described my novella to a tee. This story had too much *raw* sex for just straight romance, but too much story for what some readers were looking for in erotic romance.
Liquid Silver knew what I was trying to do and loved me for it. In fact, I think this is some of the best writing I’ve done. It was one of those magic moments in a writer’s life when the story just flows out and the characters come to life on their own.
I’m so glad that Liquid Silver knows there are some readers out there who want to get to know the characters before they jump into bed. Who understand that sometimes the sex scenes are that much better when you have to wait for them. I’m looking forward to sharing THE OPAL HUNTER with readers. It truly is a special book to me.
Kris
THE OPAL HUNTER coming in 2009 to Liquid Silver!
http://www.kriseton.com
http://www.twitter.com/kriseton
Filed under: SExpressions, Writing
9 Comments
January 9th, 2009 at 7:20 am
I ran into this a lot when trying to find somewhere to submit my book STARSTRUCK (coming soon from Liquid Silver). Congrats on the upcoming release! The title is very interesting.
I agree; I am glad Liquid Silver understands there is still a place for romance novels that build up to sexual encounters, making them more meaningful to both the characters and the readers. Great post!
Michelle
January 9th, 2009 at 7:28 am
I’m so glad you found a home for your book. It’s disheartening for a writer to put so much into a book and then be told it just doesn’t ‘fit.’ As a reader, I like a book with some story to it. And honestly, I don’t put it down just because there’s not sex in the first chapter. lol! (That’s not to say I don’t like my books steamy!:) )I think there’s room for all types of romance out there. LSB is smart for opening the door to you and your story. Best Wishes!
Jolie
January 9th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Thanks, Ladies! I like some story, too, and when I sat down to write this book, these two characters really had some stuff to get out. Sometimes you just have to go where the story leads you regardless of whether or not it ‘fits’ into some category. And, not to worry, there is steaminess indeed! And a hot guy who wears a cowboy hat!
I think Liquid Silver is very, very smart for starting the Sterling line.
January 9th, 2009 at 9:00 am
[...] Blog Post [...]
January 9th, 2009 at 10:13 am
The Sterling line is going to bring some wonderful stories to the public. It’s nice when a story that has been so wonderful to write gets to be published. Congrats, Kris.
January 9th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Kris, beautifully spoken. There are some stories between couples which naturally build to their hot sexual encounters. To simply throw them together never works!
I think what Jolie said about *it takes all different kinds* is what I particularly like about the current climate for erotic romance and romance.
January 9th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I agree. I hate trying to measure the amount of heat in a story. If the relationship between the characters is believable, then the encounters will follow, whether there are ten or two.
January 9th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
That’s it exactly, Gem!
Nothing is worse than having a story rejected for ‘not enough sex.’ It’s almost like the rest doesn’t matter.
Kris
January 12th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Congrats on your Sterling release! I, too, had a not quite erotic enough story, The Waterdance, that luckily fit Sterling’s guidelines. I’m so glad because I really loved writing this story and hated to think that it wouldn’t get published for exactly the reasons you stated.
Congrats again!