Via Sybil, Emma Sinclair is concerned about the high price of trade paperbacks.
But I think there are those out there that would say, “erotica/erotic romance doesn’t sell because of content.” BUT THAT’S NOT TRUE – IT’S TOO EXPENSIVE!! Are these $13 books really good for the genre in the long run?
Speaking of Sybil, she has an interesting post wherein she talks about the goals of erotic romance authors.
I think more than a few set out to tell a story, and use sex as a way to better explain the characters and the H/H coming together, so to speak. Sex means so many things to different people and our views on it tell something about us. So it can make for an interesting approach and can tell a lot about a character. But I also think that isn’t the main goal or drive of many a erotica/romantica/erotic romance authors and that many do just aim to entertain, showcase a fantasy or just titilate.
I’m not that well-read in erotic romance, but I’d think there would be a variety of stories in the subgenre. This touches on the discussion below about plot in erotica, and its importance or lack thereof.
Here’s the thing re: Trade paperbacks. 1. Mass market sales are down, consistently for the last couple of years. 2. Everyone’s doing it 3. the super sized mass markets are almost as much as trade paperbacks (and were created to accomodate aging baby boomer’s eyes) but the complaint I hear is that they’re too heavy (and hurt arthritic hands). Trade may be more expensive but it’s the happy medium.
As to erotica and plot–I don’t aim to titilate but i do tend to gravitate to what fascinates me.
Good points about trade paperbacks. I don’t actually know a lot about it, but I have certainly seen more around each year.
I think when a writer’s fascinated, it shines through, strengthening the story.