Alright. This topic has been beaten to death, but still I have to vent my anger and fear somewhere so my blog is as good a place as any. The last few weeks have really shocked me with the venom directed toward erotic romance. Loops, listservs, blog postings, the RITA fiasco. Now the RWR, where in a letter to the editor a writer says:
“Also we may want to stop prattling on about how ‘we just don’t get no respect’ when we allow dopey-looking hunks in ridiculous costumes advertising an erotic publisher
on our back cover. There’s a big difference between sensual romance and erotica, and I think we made a big mistake in lowering our standards to accept such a publisher.”
I get it. Some of you don’t like erotic romance. Fine. Whatever. Go ahead and complain. I don’t care. That is your right.
But here’s the deal. I don’t care. However, it appears my publishers may care and this frightens me.
First, you have Black Lace. My most recent letter from them says:
Editorial Changes: Please be aware that we want to tone down the four-letter words a bit for future compilations. We preferably want only one sex scene per story, beautifully described and perhaps more subtle than previous Black Lace writing. We are trying to get the books off the top shelf here in the UK, and out to a wider audience. For that, we need to reduce the use of ‘f’ and ‘c’ words.
There’s more, but you get the drift.
Then one of my other publishers recently turned down a collection from a friend of mine because the stories were “too erotic” for their “erotica” line.
Yesterday, a writer for still another of my publishers warned us on the loop that every ‘f’ word in her ms was cut, even when it was used as a curse and not a reference to the sexual act. When she complained she was told vitriolic reviewers had managed to change editorial policy for the publisher.
And Ghede never made it off the ground “due to the current conservative climate”.
What does this mean? Censorship. Plain and ‘f’ing simple. Publishers need to make money. Conseratives keep stirring the pot and publishers get scared. When my publishers get scared, so do I.
Is this because I can’t write any other way? Do I have to use four-letter words in my stories? Of course not. That’s not my point. My point is the option should exist for people to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of speech and let’s face it people, it’s slowly eroding away in the case of erotic romance. Rumor has it EC is prepared to move their operation outside the US if this type of bullsh!t keeps up. It’s very, very ridiculous that people who don’t like something feel that they are superior enough to demean and suppress others rather than taking their @ss and the stick that’s shoved up it elsewhere. 
If you don’t like erotic romance, don’t read it. It’s just that simple. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it should go away.
The publishers are feeling forced to change their guidelines due to pressure and it just isn’t right. This isn’t a case of them making changes because they want to. There should be something for everyone. There are inspirational publishers and imprints, and there are erotic publishers and imprints. Why are the erotic romance publishers facing all of this pressure? I just don’t understand it at all.
Oh crikey, now I will have to keep checking back every five minutes to see what the rant is about!
by WendywooWow. This is somewhat shocking to me. I know there is a pretty vocal band of folks out there who are anti-erotic stories, but there seemed to be a much more substantial group buying the books. People who wanted spicier stories. No? Why are the publishers pleasing those who appear to be in the minority? If the books aren’t selling due to the erotic nature and profanity, that’s one thing. That’s a business decision. But, this sounds like something else.
by HelenKayI agree, HelenKay. They’re in business to make money and decisions will be based on that. If they said, “After reviewing what’s selling and what’s not, we’ve decided to tone down our verbiage in our erotic stories”, I would understand. I think this is what Black Lace is doing. However, when a publisher closes their erotic imprint due to conservatives and another publisher tones down language that they’ve always considered acceptable because a group of reviewers complained it just smacks of censorship to me.
by SylviaAs an aspriring erotica romance author working on two manuscripts at the moment, this really concerns me. The fact both the writers and the publishers are getting censored is quite scary, and if it continues new authors like myself won’t be something you will be seeing more of but less of. Since I write male/male this is also a concern because it might also hit there as well because male/male is only now becoming more noticed. There is a market for the work written as it is. The very market being those women or men that do pen the stories. Also those that have read or read porn in the past and are looking for something a little bit more than a quick sex story. I guess it is one of those wait and see type things, but waiting it so hard.
by GinaGosh, how disturbing that such a venomous letter was chosen to be printed in the RWR. I’m not currently a member of RWA, but I’ve been thinking about rejoining now that I write for an RWA-approved publisher… but that kind of attitude sorta discourages me. Allowing people to have a forum to bash a recognized publisher seems very unfriendly.
And besides, RWA didn’t “lower their standards”… the publisher made it in fair and square. Which makes that letter totally incorrect, aside from being really offensive to the numerous members of RWA who write for that publisher.
by Ellen Fisher April 26th, 2005 at 4:33 pmAnother of the letters to the editor said, “Over the years, I think some writers have lost their way and segued into erotica…if not downright pornography.”
by SylviaIf someone can’t see the differences between Pornography and Erotica I am more than willing to discuss it with them. Other than that, I can’t be bothered with the b.s.
That’s not to say I don’t see how this is effecting the publishers’ choices. I do see it. In fact, it HAS effected me personally, but I’m tired of trying to help small minds expand to see there is room for everyone. That CHOICES are a good thing.
I just keep reminding myself that sales speaks…and honestly, as long as sales are good the publishers should continue to pub more erotic stuff….And obviously the sales are good if EC is prepared to move their operation outside the US.
by Sasha April 26th, 2005 at 6:50 pmThis is all disturbing, and as I’m not on any loops and keep my head in the sand, I had no idea …
by Jill April 26th, 2005 at 8:54 pm[...] t the Walmart discount—I won’t read. And Sylvia’s gotta pretty good rant on about a letter to the RWR editor, and about publishers starting to pull bac [...]
by Shannon Stacey » Blog Archive » Aggravations abound April 26th, 2005 at 9:45 pmI’m with Sasha on ignoring the bs. There’s always been opposition to sexy writing, for centuries! This is just the latest wave. It’s a shame some small press are bowing to pressure from reviewers, I agree. I think there’s been a lot of confusion with Black Lace because the editor is trying to separate out the Cheek line from their BL imprint. I’ve got the BL guidelines going back years always asking for less genital description because erotica should be about what the character is *feeling* during sex and not close ups of pink dangly bits. That’s not new.
If you’re genuinely worried, remind yourself that in two months Harlequin’s biggest erotic romance line increases from 4 to 6 books per month to keep up with the demand for raunchy sex, they are launching Spice, a big erotica line, and even Tor is started a new erotic romance line. I don’t think we should let the detractors stir it up any more by adding coal to their fire, and remember for every moralist waving a flag a whole bunch of eager readers will rush out and buy the book to see what all the fuss is about!
by Saskia April 27th, 2005 at 2:39 amSaskie makes a good point. I assumed the person who wrote this letter was talking about EC, but Harlequin and Zebra both publish erotic romance, too. Does anyone seriously think RWA “lowered their standards” to admit Harlequin? Does anyone want to see Harlequin booted because it publishes erotic romance? If one publisher is unacceptable because it publishes erotic romance, then surely all of them should be unacceptable. Right?
by Ellen Fisher April 27th, 2005 at 5:17 amThis is happening everywhere, I’ve noticed. A minority screams loudest, and suddenly the majority must bend to the will of the loudest. I’ve seen very recent examples of people who hate something screaming loud, but when the polls were taken, guess what? They were by far the minority.
People. If you LOVE something the way it is, YOU need to speak up. Because if you don’t, the minority who wants change is going to get it. Be adamant, because the people who hate something already have the force of righteous anger behind them. They are so upset that they send outraged letters to editors and congress and the news. They become visible, while the other side remains silent, appearing to either not care or to be the minority, when this is the time it’s most crucial to speak up louder and more often.
Kudos for speaking up, Sylvia!
by Larissa April 27th, 2005 at 5:37 amAmen to that!
I’m not a writer, I don’t even read erotica (well maybe the odd one or two every now and then) but this is another symptom of the slow erosion of our right to write and read whatever we want.
Btw, Shannon sent me
by Kitty April 27th, 2005 at 5:44 amWhat Larissa said. It was a whopping total of THREE letters that caused Fox to be fined for their “Married by America” show. THREE. Same with the Janet Jackson boob. A MINORITY caused the stink. Why? Because the majority feels safe in their numbers. They don’t speak out because they don’t feel they need to. Uh, guess again.
I’ve been told that there are publishers who will revisit an issue if they get as few as three letters of complaint - and these are NOT erotica publishers, but NYT mainstream.
You feel strongly? Stop complaining on blogs and write to the powers that be. It’s that simple. Tell the editors and publishers you LIKE what’s being published. Will it help? Who knows - but at least you’ll know you’ve done something proactive rather than simply blog ranting.
That said, I HATE the EC ads in RT and the RWR because I just can’t STAND those WWF looking covers! But that’s just personal preference, LOL!
by Alison Kent April 27th, 2005 at 8:10 amGood point, Alison.
Thankfully, as a writer for these publishers I can speak my mind directly to them.
Also I offer them the strongest endorsement I can by continuing to write for them and by advertising that I write for them.
This rant on my blog is to share with my visitors who wouldn’t know right off the bat how things they read about affect things behind the scenes.
Knowledge is power.
by SylviaThe publishers need to hear from the readers. (My “you” was a universal, not directed at Sylvia. *g*) Hearing from authors and having authors endorsing them isn’t the same. The authors have a financial stake and creative stake. Readers don’t. They are the consumer. Which is why reader letters carry a hell of a lot more weight.
by Alison Kent April 27th, 2005 at 8:27 am[...]
Conservatives Hate Hard Dick
Sylvia Day and Shannon Stacey take on the conservative mood in the romance community. Apparently s [...]
by the way there » Blog Archive » Conservatives Hate Hard Dick April 27th, 2005 at 10:10 amI do wonder if some of the fear arises because of a conception that erotica is eroding standard romance sales. Otherwise why bother to fuss?
People clearly feel threatened and I can’t believe it’s fear that it will alter their own existence any other way. (okay. maybe there’s some fear that their neighbors are reading erotica and some night, as non-erotica-readers taking out the garbage, those infected neighbors are going to tackle them for sex.)
by kateI’ve been told that there are publishers who will revisit an issue if they get as few as three letters of complaint - and these are NOT erotica publishers, but NYT mainstream.
Thank you Alison. There’s way too much internet complaining and not enough physical response when it comes to this genre. Want meaty, sweeping historicals in different locations and settings? Write to the Publishers. Want to keep romantica/erotica on the bookshelves the way the authors want to write them? Write to the Publishers. Etc, Etc.
This has become a pet peeve for me over the past few months because all across the board(blogs,message boards, AAR) readers and writers are complaining about what they want to see, but no one is doing anything about it except comiserating online as though this is some tiny pub about to be bulldozed over by big, oafish building contractors(aka the average reader).
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m going to be writing letters to NY concerning everything I am disappointed with.
by Evangeline April 27th, 2005 at 2:49 pmI’m sure that some of these discussions are heard by more than bloggers. I know from reading some PAN loops that what is said online does filter upward in some way or another, especially what is written on RTB. It’s not completely pointless.
by SylviaNo. It’s not completely pointless - except a letter in hand written DIRECTLY to a publisher or editor and addressed to them BY NAME has a whopping lot more impact that conversational posts online. Those letters are passed around in house. Discussions online are not consumer complaints or consumer praise RECEIVED IN HOUSE that get logged. Businesses have specific departments that handle such things. They’re required to handle them by policy. (I can give you a concrete example where this happened with ONE letter writer and Blaze - where the letter got a response STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP! *g* Got it? ONE LETTER! *g*) That’s where the strength lies. Those letters where the consumer/reader has taken the time and the effort to take his/her feelings to the top.
by Alison April 27th, 2005 at 4:07 pmYes, I agree with that, Alison. I made that point to my sister who had some Air Force trouble. I told her to write to our Senator. She said, “What for? I’m nobody.” But she wrote anyway and has received several letters written by the Senator who is looking into the matter.
A letter is a powerful thing.
by SylviaWh..wh..what?! Please tell me you made up that Black Lace submission blurb
I like my Black Lace the way it is dagnabit. I like the rougher language! I like the heroines who actually enjoy sex! Heck, I like the gay characters who are drawn as “real people” and not two-dimensional child-molesting villains!
Ugh. I’m so ticked I could spit nails
by Wendy April 27th, 2005 at 4:16 pmI remember about seven or eight years ago a letter in the RWR where someone begged her fellow writers to stop writing steamy love scenes because “they hurt Our Lord.” The letters you quoted have the same tone — stop what you’re doing because I don’t approve of it. What’s more, these people are not going to shut up because there will always be things they disapprove of.
“Lowering our standards?” That’s a load of crap — the covers for Ellora’s Cave are no worse than some of the covers with Fabio dry humping the middle of the heroine’s back and while we decry them, no one talks about romance writers lowering their standards because of it.
But it is true that we need to write to the publishers, let them know that the lines have fans and people who love them –it’s difficult for a small operation like EC, who doesn’t have the resources of an Avon or Warner, but the big publishers need to know that its not just the people who are looking to be offended who are out there and willing to put pen to paper.
by Caro April 27th, 2005 at 9:38 pmSuch a tizzy. Where do people get off dictating to others what they should or shouldn’t read/like/enjoy etc? I don’t get it. Personally, erotica isn’t my thing. And EC’s covers don’t always thrill me (some even make me giggle). Does that mean I want erotica writers to stop using the “f” and “c” words? Does that mean I demand EC or any of the other erotica publishers change their covers? Hell no!!! I don’t give a damn. If anyone thinks the romance genre will gain more respectability by doing so, they’re wrong. Let’s face it - there will always be detractors. And censoring ourselves is not the answer.:roll:
by Teresa April 28th, 2005 at 6:50 am[...] ow, there’s been conversation across the blogosphere the last few days about readers speaking out to publishers and making known their thoughts on certain elements in f [...]
by Blah Blog of Alison Kent | Contemporary Author April 29th, 2005 at 9:14 am“Erotica” is a hot TERM right now, but to be honest, publishers are discovering that most people just don’t really want erotica–or even romantica. Most readers want “erotica” just to mean “hottish romance, maybe with an unconventional element or two.” My two finished books are considerably hotter than quite a few authors who call themselves “erotic,” and I would describe them at most as “sensual.” I’m not being a snob–I know what erotica is, and what I write ain’t it.
Basically, it comes down to marketing-ese and what people REALLY want. What they want is different than what labels they’re looking for in their books. Romance is what their mothers read–THEY like “erotica.”
This isn’t about censorship. It’s about sales–what the book business has always been about. A certain type of book has co-opted a “racy” word just because of the buzz, but that doesn’t mean that the content will follow when there’s no demand for it.
One big problem with the current use of the word “erotica” is that you REALLY have no idea if you’ve getting borderline R or XXX stuff just from the name!
by Lydia April 29th, 2005 at 12:43 pm