Erotica versus Story with sex?

Wow kristin,

Those are good questions. I don't know of any markets for erotic sci-fi. Maybe you should read back issues of the pubs you have in mind then query the editors. I'd say try for the erotica market. I don't know of any sci-fi pubs that want lots of sex. But again, read and then query the editors.

Well, the first thing you need to do is to take "porn" out of your vocabulary when talking about erotica. They're completely different things. Porn is action without emotion. Erotica is action based on emotion -- whether that emotion is love or anger or hate.


So, that said -- any story can be a "sexy" story. The thing that defines erotica is whether the sex is REMOVABLE. If, with the stroke of your keyboard, you removed ALL of the sex from your story, would you still have a plot? If so, then it's not erotica. Erotica is primarily a story that has a main focus emotion-laden sex. A story about two people solving a mystery in space and can't keep their hands off each other is a sexy SF story. A novel about two people who aren't able to SURVIVE without having sex, because of genetics or some such and struggle with their emotions is erotica. Of course, there are multiple variants on the theme. A good SF erotica story is one called "Planet Ds" by Master Nage. He created a world where sex is currency. It defines the classes of the people and is the only way to advance in society. It's the story of one woman from the low class who has to continually improve her sexual talents in order to have enough power to leave the planet for good and seek her own way. Etc., etc.

Does that make sense?

To my mind erotica is a term used to describe any story containing substantial sex that also has some other merit as a piece of fiction.

There are a number of open anthologies for sci fi erotica with various themes--if you let me know length, sexuality and basic theme I will copy some over here.

Nobodu else mentioned PWP--is your background in fanfiction? That phrase always makes me think of fanfic. Basically your story is obvious not just about getting people off--that moves is from being what most erotica writers call 'porn'.

Yes there is a market for SF erotic, or SF porn. But as I said, more details required before i can suggest some.

There can be a build up, or not--either can work.

kristin724 said:

I have other sexy elements and suggestions in my work, but this is my first attempt at no holds barred details.

Click to expand...

I write romantic suspense, and so there's not a whole lot of sex, but in my novels there are a few scenes. I'm always brave when I write them. I do the 'no holds barred' thing and write it down as wild and kinky as I want. Then I chicken out on the rewrite, and make it more suitable for my novel, but I always wonder what would happen if I had the guts not to tone down those scenes. I'd probably be forcibly hospitalized. LOL! The only person who wouldn't be compeltely shocked would be my hubby. He already knows how wild I can get. More power to you if you actually stick to it. I never can.

Heres a new sf erotica market

Dragon's Fire Quarterly will be a quarterly e-magazine for fans who enjoy erotic Sci Fi/Fantasy stories. Initially, Dragon's Fire Quarterly will be a free site; our long term goal is to become a subscription based e-magazine.

Call for Submissions:

We are looking for sensual to erotic sci fi/fantasy adventures to debut on Dragon's Fire Quarterly between April and July of 2006. We want well written stories with a strong plot line and in-depth believable worlds or alternate universes. We accept serials, short stories, comic strips, poems, and flash pieces. We hope to have art submissions also, as we would love this to be a e-magazine for readers and art lovers as well.

What we're looking for:

Four Serial Stories; Two Sci Fi and Two Fantasy
Four Short Stories; Two Sci Fi and Two Fantasy
Ten Flash Pieces of 500 to 1000 words
Eight Comic strip; Four Sci Fi and Four Fantasy
Ten Poems
Fantasy and Sci Fi art work for the front page and for illustrations of the stories and poems.

We are interested in both published and non-published authors. Serials can be from 40,000 to 80,000 words; 10,000 to 20,000 for each quarter. Since Dragon's Fire Quarterly will debut later in the year, the serials will be either two or three parts. Those interested in submitting comic strips will have to include plot line and artwork.

What we don't want:

No disparaging of any race, religion, culture or ethnic groups
We do not want works that include necro, pedophilia, golden showers or anything like that

Payment as follows:

Serials $150
Short Stories $75
Poems $15
Flash Pieces $15
Comic Strip to be determined
Art Work for the cover $90 / for illustrations to be determined

We're willing to work with the author to make the contract work. For submissions or questions, please write to Rhiannon Kelley at [email protected]

Yes, erotica readers do like build-up. A common theme I've seen is the couple who were once together but drifted apart, or foiled in coming together, or something similiar. There's a *story*, in which sexual intimacy is a big part of the resolution. You might want to check out online magazines like Clean Sheets -- www.cleansheets.com -- to read some.

Kristin, very sorry I deleted your message totally by accident! I will try and get it back

I have readers and writers of my genre beta my work--increasingly I self-edit. I think the reader has to know the genre to give the right feedback.

If I want in persona contact I start a writer's group. A notice at the public library is generally sufficient to pull a few people in.