So I’ve been trying to build some buzz for MY PREROGATIVE (Which releases on Sept 2.) and in order to do that one of the things I do is troll for reviews. reviews are important not so much because praise is good for the soul (And let’s face it reviews are not always full of praise. LOL ) But because it helps create word of mouth. Word of mouth is what makes an author sales. The reviews are just what help get people talking. So if you enjoy a book, talk about it. Tell friends, lovers, co-workers, about this good book you read. However, with erotic fiction, word of mouth is mostly on the internet because no matter how loud and proud people say they are to read it, it’s rarely the genre people go spreading the word about a great book on. Am I making sense?
This is one of the reasons I often quote my reviews on here. And so far, the reviews have been GREAT! And all from Romance Review sites. Top Pick from Night Owl Romance, Recommended Read from Dark Angel Review, 4.5 Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies… I admit I was surprised. While *I* think My Prerogative is great, I wasn’t so sure readers would. Because if you’ve read a few of my books, you’ll know by now it’s not often my characters are traditional ones, even if their struggles are basic human nature ones.
However, I received a very nice email from a reviewer at a popular site. I’d emailed asking if they’d received my newest book, and if they’d like a copy of TROUBLE, which they’d never reviewed. The review replied back that she started MY PREROGATIVE, but it felt to womans fiction-y so she stopped. She thought I was a very talented erotica author, but she preferred more romance with her erotic fiction.
All very well an good. The email was nice, friendly and complimentary – and it got me thinking.
I’m the first to admit I’m not an author of traditional romance. Hell, I’m not very traditional in anything I do. I color outside the lines, laugh too loud, and swear way too much. I prefer working nights to working days, and I like to eat pizza for breakfast and oatmeal for dinner. I’ve accepted that aspect of my personality – and honestly, I love it about myself.
Now, back in 2006 when I sold my first story to Kensington for their new erotica line, they asked for erotica. I’d been asked to write an erotica novella, and I did. THE CRIB in the PURE SEX antho, is by my definition, erotica, not erotic romance. But before the book was published,(But after the story was written and in the publication process) the line decided to market Aphrodisia as Erotic Romance instead or Erotica. Now, I knew there would be a backlash, because THE CRIB was not a traditional romance. and while *I* thought the character had a happy ending, it was not a Romance or Relationship Happy ending. It was a mystery solved, emotional breakthrough, type happy ending.
Sure enough, there was a huge internet thing on how Aphrodisia has lied to readers. (and not all about my book, there were several books that the same thing happened to.) When Kensington started buying for the line they asked for erotica, they got erotica…then the line labeled as ER. Romance was supposed to have a Happily Ever After, or even a Happily For Now ending. That was the defining element of a romance novel! I understand the readers upset, and I know myself, by that time I’d already written my second novella for Kensington, and it was definitely more romance, with a romantic happy ending. Because it was now labeling the books ER, and authors don’t usually set out to piss off readers. And I’ve made sure that each story afterwards, for them, was a more traditional romance style. Again, my style will never be all traditional…but the Aphrodisias FEEL more romance style to me when I write them…but in all honesty, I’m not sure readers notice it or not though.
Berkley Heat is a Erotica/Erotic Romance line. They have both, and the feel is more mainstream than romance. At least thats the way I see it. So my Berkley books tend to be a bit more mainstream, but again, they always have a happy ending…which is what everyone cried out was the definition of a romance. After 20 years working as a bartender/waitress, I’ve seen people from every walk of life. I’ve seen ‘traditional’ relationships where people are not happy, and non-traditional relationships that work and the love shines through. But more importantly, I’ve noticed that most of us who work in non-traditional jobs (By that I mean not M-F 9-5 “˜careers’) are often non traditional in what we want from others and from life.
One theme in almost all of my books is that my characters are rarely in traditional jobs. This is mostly because I never lasted in a M-F 9-5 job, and I like to follow the “˜write what you know’ theory. I also know that myself, I’d never be happy with what people see as a traditional relationship. Do I want to love, to be loved, to have family…oh yeah, I do. But the man I fall in love with is going to have accept that I have a few quirks. So the hero’s in my books have to accept that their heroines have a few quirks.
I knew going out with MY PREROGATIVE that traditional romance readers might not feel it very romance-ish because not only is it told mostly in first person by the heroine, the hero isn’t even introduced until Chapter 5. But yes, you do get his POV, in third person, (as you can see here) but even then, he’s introduced as a watcher. The reader doesn’t get to know him, and the heroine doesn’t even meet him until page 99. The romance aspect of it doesn’t bloom until after that.
Their relationship is very non-traditional, I can certainly see why someone would think it non-romance at the start…
My point is that I agree, I do write non-traditional characters, and non-traditional romance, but I still feel it’s romance. And by the “˜there must be a happy ending for the couple’ standard, they are romance as well. But do people who have always lived a traditional life see it that way? I know my editor commented that my romances lack the “fantasy element“. And she wasn’t talking about sexual fantasy, or out of this world paranormal fantasy..she was talking the romance happily ever fantasy.
So, I took the reviews email saying I was a talented erotic author as a compliment. I can see how she thought MY PREROGATIVE was a bit woman’s fiction-ish… but I hope readers also see the romance in it. Instead of being a little bit country and a little bit rock’n’ roll, it’s little bit romance, and a little bit realistic. *hee hee hee*
For many readers, when they read a story they like to imagine themselves in the story. They want to love the hero as if he were their own and they want to be able to relate to the heroine either personally or imagine her as a close friend.
So having a HEA isn’t the only possible sticking point. For some readers, if they can’t imagine ever being an exhibitionist, they can’t read about a heroine who is one. If they can’t imagine living in an arid climate, they aren’t interested sheik HQ Presents. If they can’t imagine being a sub, they don’t want to read romances with Dom heroes, etc.
There are other readers who don’t care if they can relate to those aspects. As long as they believe the characters love each other, they can go along for the ride.
So as authors, all we can do is write the best story we can and write characters that touch our hearts. How well readers relate to the story after that is their prerogative. 😀
Good post, babe!
I am what you would classify as a traditional 9 to 5 worker with a standard marriage, 2 kids, mortgage, etc. To answer your question, as someone who’s read your work for years, you definitely bring me into your stories from page one.
I think you’re doing it right, keep on rockin’!
You should be a politician, Sylvia. 😉
I’m not denying any of your points. I agree with them. In fact, it’s sort of what I was trying to say, but obviously the way I say it is a bit less comprehensive than your way. Guess it sort of proves my whole non traditional point, huh? LMAO
Hey Beth, You’re biased though, and I love you for it. LOL
The email gave me sort of a funny epiphany. I tend to read for escapism, but tend to write more realistic ‘I call ’em like I see ’em’ type things. Sort of cool.
:cowgirl: :puh: #Wow what I have read of your excerts it rocks the world in being a great story I feel She is wrong
So much of reading enjoyment depends on what you’re expecting when you pick up the book. I don’t expect traditional romance when I pick up your books (possibly why Gypsy Heart wasn’t my favorite of yours–though I did enjoy it), so the news that My Prerogative isn’t traditional romance isn’t turning me off in the slightest.
I’m with Darla. Your cover
(which was wild and unconventional) doesn’t lie. A reader’s not going to expect the usual ole romance. You’re style is uniquely yours and memorable, and this idea that all romances have to be a certain way or have to follow a certain formula, well that may be so until someone colors outside those lines and starts the next great trend.
Thanks Patricia!. I don;t feel she’s wrong, it’s her opionion and everyone is entitled. 😀
Darla, Gypsy Heart was my first attempt at a novel, and it was written before I’d accepted my natural style and voice. When I wrote it I was targeting Harlequin Blaze. LOL . I still love that story. I learn a lot writing it, but you are very right, while it was a bit different at the time for romance, because she chased him, it’s not unusual or different now.
If you like edgy and unique, then MY PREROGATIVE will be perfect for you!
And, also, both GYPSY HEART and MY PREROGATIVE have Bartenders fro heroine’s, and even in a way the premise is the same, both looking for acceptance or love…but yet, still very different stories. It’ll be interesting to see how readers compare the two stories.
Delilah! Baby I know how much you love to color outside the lines. LOL We have the same streak that way. *hugs*
And yes, the cover is Perfect for the story.
I’ve read most of your work and appreciate what you write, but something about MY PREROGATIVE captivated my senses and made me reflect, reflect and reflect again. Being unafraid to think outside of the box to share an important message is critical to being who you are.
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