Time for erotica to grow up?

Erotica.

It’s a genre as old as story-telling, yet in some ways that particular form of writing is in its infancy.

What I mean is that when someone mentions erotica, one of two things often come to mind: creative ways to describe sex, often with no storyline other than sex, all for the sake of describing sex; or more recently – thanks to the popularity of Fifty Shades – some sort of story laced with BDSM, most for the sake of writing about BDSM.

That’s a gross simplification, I understand. But it’s true. Peruse most titles on Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. Check out the websites with erotica fiction on display. Most of them will have thinly disguised porn or people being tied up and whipped without hint of any larger story arc or plot line.

If there’s a third incarnation of erotica, it would be romance with rather explicit love scenes, sometimes filled with what’s best described as purple prose, in which everyone eventually lives happily ever-after.

Maybe it’s time for erotica to take another step toward maturity. Why can’t a science fiction story be a cross-genre work, with main characters whisking through the universe while engaging in explicit sex scenes that are integral to the story rather than tacked on for a little shock value? What about a coming-of-age novel that includes a healthy dose of bondage?

Or, just maybe, a murder mystery that doubles as an erotica BDSM tale?

My novel, LETHAL OBSESSION, is just that – a dark suspense story that delves into the world of loneliness, the search for love, exploration of bondage, and a serial killer who’s getting closer and closer to the main characters.

The novel will be out March 1, but I’m curious to know what you think – can bondage and erotica successfully cross into other genres? Or is erotica cursed to always be alone in its own little corner of the literary world? If so, is that because the larger readership of the world won’t accept it in any other genre, or is it because writers simply refuse to stretch themselves and change the genre?

Don’t be shy – go ahead and put your comments below!

Thanks for stopping by.

Shandra

xoxo

Ten bucks and free fiction? All can be yours....

Could you use a $10 Amazon card? 

Want a free e-copy of my forthcoming erotic suspense novel, LETHAL OBSESSION? How about e-copies of my erotic/BDSM short stories PRIVATE DINING, ROOM SERVICE, JENNIFER LOST, and JENNIFER BOUND?

How would you like ALL of the above? That’s right, an Erotica Fiction Prize Pack, along with a $10 Amazon gift card, a total value of $17.95?

I’ll be giving away one prize that includes ALL of those items, a second prize including the novel and short stories, and a third prize of the novel by itself on March 16. All you have to do is look on the right side of this blog where it says “subscribe to our newsletter” and then subscribe!

There is one caveat – I need at least 25 new subscribers to qualify one lucky winner for the Grand Prize of a $10 Amazon gift card and an Erotica Fiction Prize Pack. So get the word out and help bring in new subscribers!

On March 16 I’ll hold a drawing for all people who subscribe by midnight, EST, on March 15. First prize is the Amazon gift card and Erotica Fiction Prize Pack; second price is an Erotica Fiction Prize Pack; and third prize is a copy of the novel.

Want to double your chances of winning? Simply join this blog AND subscribe to the newsletter and your name will be entered twice! If you’ve already joined before the start of the contest, your name will still be entered twice if you subscribe to the newsletter.

What are you waiting for?

Xoxo

Shandra

What have I been doing with myself?

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been a month since I last blogged. I suppose that makes me a bad little girl…

I have been busy, however. I’ve finished up the semi-final edits of my new novel LETHAL OBSESSION, have sent it to beta readers (some of whom have given me their comments) and I’m about to start the final edits on the work.

I’ve also been organizing a blog tour for the novel’s release, and let me tell you while I’ve met some really nice people who are graciously allowing me to appear on their blogs, this is nearly as time-consuming as writing the novel!

I’ve also added a little widget to my blog. If you’ll peek over there on the right, there is now a link where you can subscribe to my newsletter! I hope you’ll do so. That way I can keep you updated on all my publishing news. I promise I don’t spam, and I never, ever give out or sell your information to anyone. Your contact information will be our little secret.

On Sunday (just four days from now) I plan on announcing the LETHAL OBSESSION Blog Tour (which will begin on March 1). Before then, though, on Feb. 19 I plan on releasing just a little bit of information about the book – but for now, I’ll tell you it’s unlike any erotica novel you’ve ever read. It can best be described as an erotic suspense novel that will keep you off-balance until the final line.

So, sign up for my newsletter, join my blog and check back often – I think I can make it worth your while.

xoxo