Settle the Debate-

For years I've seen posts where authors argued that sex sold the books. Writers outside of the erotic romance field stomped their feet, angry over the numbers of erotic/erotic romance books sold. We posted questions and here are your answers.

Does sex sell?
Only one person thought sex doesn't sell books.

Has a publisher asked you to add sex or heat up the sex scenes?
60% said yes
30% said no with one being asked to tone it down
10% said sort of

Do you believe sex sells your books?
All but one said yes. It should be noted than none of these authors considered their work pornographic. Each said the sex added but the plot remained the driving force.

So what have we learned? 1-Sex does sell. I don't believe this means women are all hiding in closets masturbating to erotica novels. I think women have finally taken charge of their sex lives and personal fantasies.

2-Sex alone doesn't seem to do it. The women surveyed believed that their plots brought readers. Some believed that the sex was so integral to the plot that the two couldn't be separated and behind the door sex would stifle the flow of the work. That I don't know.

Here are a couple of wonderful quotes
"Absolutely sex sells. But so does a good story. I believe I have both and in the end, I don't think its the sex you remember so much as it is the characters. In erotica I believe its essential for the sex and plot to be intricately tied together."

"Today's women know that sex happens and many resent the door being closed in a novel. That said, all sex scenes aren't the same and some are highly sensuous and never use one of the "dirty" words. "

"I think sex sells books where the expectation is sex (that is, books labeled spicy, hot, erotic, etc.). But sex isn't necessary so much as sexual tension. Lack of sexual tension--even in an inspirational romance--is the kiss of death IMO."

"Women love vampires, were creatures. Erotic novels are known to blow the doors of convention down and let women fantasize about bondage, submission, and things they might never want to practice in reality. It all depends on what a woman is looking for. Overall, I think they want romance. Titillating sex is the icing on the cake. I think publishers are pushing the sex aspect."

"You can't argue with the numbers. Wild and kinky sex, even followed with bad reviews, sell. The touching story with rave reviews will never do as well."

"The sex has to be an unmistakable part of the plot, not just thrown in."

Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey.

OMG-Author Update
I'll call this author Jim.

Jim is upset because we posted something negative about Titan/ Venus. Jim has had no problems with Venus. She does say that if there were problems with communication, then it was because of ongoing health problems with the main person at Venus.

I wish no one harm. However if you were an employer who had an employee unable to work but 2 days a week, there would be problems. You would either hire others to help or fire the person who was unable to work. You don't make other people pay for their inability to do their job. Frequent excuses, those don't add up to good business.Sorry Jim.And to the others who are upset with our posts, we are only here to let newbies see how the publishing business works. This is reality boys and girls.

We have also been informed that Midnight Showcase has paid royalties. Thanks Jim. We love you hun.

An update-Titan/Venus Press

You might have seen this publisher mentioned in an earlier post. We spoke about their unresponsive nature and lack of professionalism. This press won't even respond to Piers Anthony. Check out HiPiers.com. Click on the Publish section then V. Scroll to the Venus listing. Yes, all authors are ignored equally. What a pub!

Update-We've been informed that their main person is stepping down. Perhaps she finally realized this was a business and not a fun hobby.