Any of you read Erotica?

[Menard]

I'm wondering whether I'll get cliched replies like "that's for girls, guys don't read stuff like that" or "that's beneath me, I like reading action/adventure or real literature".

Actually I have more faith in some of you to not answer like that, whether you read erotica or not, but to be able to have a discussion on it without falling into patent cliches and bathroom stall philosophy.

If you do read erotica, who are some of your favorite authors?

Erotica has taken an upswing since 50 Shades of Gray, but that did not invent the genre. Where it has really taken an upswing is in titles available for Kindle and other eReaders, and in being very affordable in that format.


Some of my favorite authors are:

Virginia Wade who is kind of like the Stephen King of erotica in that she can turn most any subject into sex like Stephen King turns an appliance into a horror story. She has a dirty dirty mind, and that's not a complaint. And in real life she's gawddamn hott too!!! 

Gabrielle Prevot can turn you on without even having to talk about sex, but just so that you don't feel awkward about being turned on by appliances or dinosaurs, she writes about sex. 

Dos Cleve, Pressing Flesh, is rather the sportscaster of erotica with his play-by-play style of writing; and yes, there are men who write erotica.


Share your opinions or favorite authors.

[Mofo Rising]

I work in a library, so I can tell you that erotica is not an underground industry. Harlequin romances try to gussy it up, and you get weird sub-genres like "Nascar romance", which I swear I am not making up.

50 Shades of Gray is incredibly popular. Seriously, the hold list for that book has reached over 800. That's a lot.

I read the first page on a lark, and I hated it solely for the fact that it is written in first-person, present-tense. I have nobody who agrees with me on that point, but it's an awful way to read a story.

So the romance novel industry has always had its smut adherence. It amuses me endlessly that so many of these books are sold in supermarkets. The "romance novel" industry is filled with filthy f**k stories. Seriously, straight up pornographic f**k stories are sold right next to the latest Twilight novel, like it's all respectable. (Zane, I'm looking at you.)

I'm supposed to be ashamed about Penthouse Letters, when the exact same thing is sold in a semi-respectable romance novel package.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it. I don't think I can proclaim any favorite authors because erotica is much like pornography, only useful in increments. But like all pornography, it's all available for free on the internet, so why would I pay for it? There's a site called Literotica, which is basically user-oriented content. The stories range from pathetic to really good, depending on what flips your switch.

I think there have been a couple people on this board who enjoyed writing pornography, but I don't remember who they are. As I said, I'm all for it.

[Trevor]

In the bad old days of SA censorship, books like that were held under the public library counter and you had to perk up the courage in order to dare to ask for them and present a photo ID too.  When I was a library student, I asked why this was and the reply I got was "Daardie goed is VIESLIK!!!!" [That stuff is disgusting!]

If erotic books were unbanned (a rarity) they would be sold in sealed plastic covers. I kid you not. 

And in answer to the good Doctor's question, I do sometimes read erotica, both online and in hard copy format, but I have no way of working off the load it puts on me. 

[Trevor]

is rather the sportscaster of erotica with his play-by-play style of writing;

I can just hear him say "SSSSSSStrrrrrrikkkkkkeeee! You're out." 

Also "How about that?" 

[AndyC]

I have a feeling this is going to be much like the "What's your kink?" thread. A few people might have something to add, but they're uncomfortable doing so.

I read a bit of erotica now and then. I find a well-written story much more exciting than a picture or a video. A couple of reasons I can think of for this. The story provides the characters and scenario, but my imagination paints the picture according to my own fantasies. Also, rather than just sights and sounds, a story gives you a vivid description of thoughts, emotions and all manner of sensations. You can imagine the entire experience, from any character's viewpoint. And, as with all literature, erotica is not subject to the same technical and budgetary limitations as a movie. Anything the writer can imagine is entirely doable.

As for favourite authors, I don't suppose the names would mean much. When I do read erotica, it's to indulge fantasies that generally aren't practical in real life, so most of it comes from a fairly specific niche. You guys might enjoy it, or you might not. If you want some examples, I can send you a link.

[zombie no.one]

If you like a bit of horror with your erotica I'd recommend Garth Marenghi - 'Juggers'

"He whisked off her shoes and panties in one movement, wild like an enraged shark... his bulky totem beating a seductive rhythm. Mary's body felt like it was burning, even though the room was properly air conditioned. They tried all the positions; on top, doggy, and normal. Exhausted, they collapsed onto the recently extended sofa-bed. Then a hellbeast ate them."

[CheezeFlixz]

Why read what I live?

[retrorussell]

is rather the sportscaster of erotica with his play-by-play style of writing;

I can just hear him say "SSSSSSStrrrrrrikkkkkkeeee! You're out." 

Also "How about that?" 

Or:
"It's up!"
"It's good!"
"A high arcing shot!"
"There's the backdoor delivery!"
Or just the thought of Marv Albert yelling "yes!".

[Menard]

Why read what I live?

I think I'm going to throw up. 

[Chainsawmidget]

Why read what I live?

So, what is Nascar romance really like?

[Menard]

is rather the sportscaster of erotica with his play-by-play style of writing;

I can just hear him say "SSSSSSStrrrrrrikkkkkkeeee! You're out." 

Also "How about that?" 

Or:
"It's up!"
"It's good!"
"A high arcing shot!"
"There's the backdoor delivery!"
Or just the thought of Marv Albert yelling "yes!".

Not quite yet like that. By sportscaster and play-by-play, I mean he is very descriptive of the sex act, not just tells you that they had sex; like a sportscaster tells you "he runs, he slides, he's safe at third", not just "he's on third".


By comparison:

If you like a bit of horror with your erotica I'd recommend Garth Marenghi - 'Juggers'

"He whisked off her shoes and panties in one movement, wild like an enraged shark... his bulky totem beating a seductive rhythm. Mary's body felt like it was burning, even though the room was properly air conditioned. They tried all the positions; on top, doggy, and normal. Exhausted, they collapsed onto the recently extended sofa-bed. Then a hellbeast ate them."

The action in that one paragraph could be an entire story for Dos Cleve; told in much more detail.


From one of his tamer stories, The Vampire Hunter's Day Off:

"Our bodies move together in an unmatched symphony; our bodies arching, moving in and out in perfect timing. I want this moment to be forever as I swell within her, her body shaking in response; her passionate gasps and moans, the motion of her hips, the wanting reach as she holds her hands toward me then places them on the bed, her palms down. We both reach our climax as dancers upon an artists canvas, arching our bodies together, her digging the back of her head and shoulders into the bed as I throw my shoulders back arching my back, flowing into her in a draining, exhilarating release."


Of course that's not saying one is better than the other, it's just what works for the reader. For some, Cleve's writing might well be overly descriptive.


On the other hand, Gabrielle Prevot is not too dissimilar from Dos Cleve in her style, but where she differs is she is a big tease and will lead you up to the moment, then break off from there, letting your imagination take over. Her Tent Sex story is a good example.

[retrorussell]

I used to read the Playboy/Penthouse reader-submitted stories for laughs.  They were so vulgar and stupid that I derived amusement from them.

[lester1/2jr]

I wrote a gay erotica today "circuit? more like Sir Cute" it's called "The Handyman"

[The Burgomaster]

"Erotica" is my middle name.

[Leah]

Sometimes, mainly online, that an range from alright to down right to:


The internet is a very strange place.