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Publishing Options for Erotica?

by TrekkieGrrrl
9 replies
I am posting in a new thread because I don't want to hijack Slickest's thread (and the topic is a different aspect).

Cosmokid brought up some good points about publishing with Kindle - you really don't have control over your books/business since Amazon could decide to pull erotica from their catalog at any time and then you'd be out of luck.

Would self publishing be an option? Get an e-junkie account, put your books for sale as a PDF?

I know that having the larger Amazon/Kindle audience would be better, but maybe a combination? Have some works on Amazon and then others available only through your site?

Maybe even advertise your site in the Amazon books for "exclusive" offers?

The big problem I see is that it wouldn't be in Kindle format, which sucks, but maybe that's not an insurmountable issue.

I'd love any feedback/comments you might have.
#erotica #options #publishing
  • Profile picture of the author Dana_W
    B&N Pubit --- Free Sample - disappeared for some erotic Authors - censorship?

    That is a link to a thread on Kindleboards in which some erotic writers were talking about various issues that they had with their free sample options being temporarily taken off Barnes & Noble. However, the good thing about the thread is a ton of erotic writers are posting in there - so you can check out their websites, see who else they sell their books through, get an idea of what kind of writing they're selling...you could even PM them on the Kindleboards and ask them any specific questions you have.

    Also, Ellora's Cave is a publisher of erotic romance. You can google them.

    Also - you could write some stories that are more acceptable to Amazon and Barnes & Noble standards...and then use that to drive people to your site and sell your other stuff to them directly. When I say "acceptable", there are plenty of erotica writers on those sites, so I don't mean "stories about nuns". Or garden gnomes.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
    Hi Trekkie, just to expand on what I posted in the other thread. I think it would be a mistake to not tap into the Amazon Kindle market.

    Have two product lines... the soft-core Kindle-friendly stuff and then within those e-books promote your hardcore line.

    You're in a good position because you already have a following. Make sure you're building a list so you can email out when you have a new book out.

    Getting an e-book or even a self-published paperback book is only half the battle. Marketing to drive sales is the key.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dana_W
    What he said. (Alan, that is.)
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  • Profile picture of the author fgrimes
    Although the subject is not my area but there are couple of nuggets learned here. Good point of reference.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      If you plan to sell your own ebooks and use paypal as processor, I would recommend you to contact them and ask if your material is acceptable for them before putting the pay now button.

      I created a website and wrote an ebook for a client once that was actually hiding behind my back and asked me to put my paypal account. I crossed a couple of emails with paypal before doing it as her content was borderline.

      They had no issues, but you cross from erotic to explicit and you are out. Look at the TOS.

      btw, I have a couple of domains you might find interesting.
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      • Profile picture of the author TrekkieGrrrl
        Originally Posted by Dana_W View Post

        B&N Pubit --- Free Sample - disappeared for some erotic Authors - censorship?

        That is a link to a thread on Kindleboards in which some erotic writers were talking about various issues that they had with their free sample options being temporarily taken off Barnes & Noble. However, the good thing about the thread is a ton of erotic writers are posting in there - so you can check out their websites, see who else they sell their books through, get an idea of what kind of writing they're selling...you could even PM them on the Kindleboards and ask them any specific questions you have.

        Also, Ellora's Cave is a publisher of erotic romance. You can google them.

        Also - you could write some stories that are more acceptable to Amazon and Barnes & Noble standards...and then use that to drive people to your site and sell your other stuff to them directly. When I say "acceptable", there are plenty of erotica writers on those sites, so I don't mean "stories about nuns". Or garden gnomes.
        Whaaaa---? Do you have something against garden gnomes? (kidding! )

        I will check it out. Thank you.

        Originally Posted by Alan Petersen View Post

        Hi Trekkie, just to expand on what I posted in the other thread. I think it would be a mistake to not tap into the Amazon Kindle market.

        Have two product lines... the soft-core Kindle-friendly stuff and then within those e-books promote your hardcore line.

        You're in a good position because you already have a following. Make sure you're building a list so you can email out when you have a new book out.

        Getting an e-book or even a self-published paperback book is only half the battle. Marketing to drive sales is the key.
        I could. I was also thinking having soft-core stuff and maybe even a paid membership for the hard-core stuff.

        Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post

        If you plan to sell your own ebooks and use paypal as processor, I would recommend you to contact them and ask if your material is acceptable for them before putting the pay now button.

        I created a website and wrote an ebook for a client once that was actually hiding behind my back and asked me to put my paypal account. I crossed a couple of emails with paypal before doing it as her content was borderline.

        They had no issues, but you cross from erotic to explicit and you are out. Look at the TOS.

        btw, I have a couple of domains you might find interesting.
        I already know my stuff is too strong for PayPal. Thank you for the heads up, though.

        Originally Posted by cosmokid View Post

        HI TG,

        I was just having a look at Samhain Publishing which has been a premiere ebook erotica publisher for a while -- when clicking on a title and looking at the "available format" area for their ebooks it looks like they are offering their ebooks in a variety of formats, including the ones that Mobipocket and Kindle uses. I'm a bit hazy on the format that Kindle uses, but this sounds hopeful for you. I know that Smashwords is one place where some authors are using to reach into the Mobipocket and Apple market for ebooks (although Kindle supposedly has "apps" which allow you to view your ebooks on non-Kindle e-readers.) I'm not up on Smashwords' editorial policy, but I do know they pay through Paypal (can be some delay before you're paid, say many of their authors) -- but maybe check them out and also sniff around to find out just what a publisher like Samhain is doing to make their books available in so many e-friendly formats. If THEY can do it, maybe you can, too!
        I will definitely check them out. Thank you!
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonthewebmaster
    Banned
    My erotica stories are selling easily on Kindle with absolutely no marketing (2 sales a day per ebook) - of course I am a kickass writer with a perverted mind.. so maybe it comes naturally! BUT, i think it's all about the niche you are targeting (as always) some are more in-demand than others.
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