The Big Question

NOTE: I pulled this blogpost out of my file of previously written ones. I write it back in 2009, and it was aimed more at Traditional publishing/editors because that’s what I was doing. But I wanted to repost because it might really help explain why I choose to self publish my erotic stories.

I consider myself a storyteller author. By that, I mean I write a story. I’m not a University educated writer, and the only writing class I’ve taken was one on freelance magazine writing (about how to search for submission guidelines, and how to use your research for various articles instead of only one) and a correspondence course on how to make money at writing. (Which is how I got into erotic fiction) None of these classes were about the craft of writing. As far as that goes, I only have high school English, and a couple of workshops on character development or plotting at conferences that I went to after I was published multiple time.

Why am I telling you this? For a couple of reasons. One, to prove that if you want to be an author, you don’t Have to go to school for it.

The second reason, to bring up the Big Question. What is it editors do?

Now, I have a few friends who write in genres other than erotic fiction, and they say their editor’s brainstorm with them, go over plots and outlines, and weigh in on a series plan. Then when they get the manuscript, the edit it, filling it with corrections and giving them revisions lists. Some whine about how big their revisions lists are, but all of them say their books are better after they’ve followed their editor’s advice. They are learning and growing as storytellers and as authors.

Me? I’ve written and published over 30 stories, that includes 10 full-length novels 9 of which were for big NY publishers, and I’ve never had revisions. I get copy edits, and galleys. (And letters from readers telling me all about the grammar errors in my books)

So, first, I admit I’m not the best at grammar. In fact, I suck at it. I suck at it so bad that when I read the galleys I don’t see any grammar errors. Yet, I still get emails from readers about it, or read a comment here and there in reviews about how it could’ve been edited better. I always assumed that if my grammar were that bad, my editor or copyeditor would maybe point it out to me or help clean it up. One editor when I first started out told me my grammar wasn’t the best, but my story telling abilities outshined it, so I never thought about going back to school for it. Part of me wonders if the readers and reviewers who comment are just super conscientious about that sort of thing, or if I’m just too lax?

Then again, I’ve spoken to several other erotic fiction authors, some who write for the same publishers as I do, and some who write for other publishers, and the majority of them say the same thing. They’ve never had revisions, and they sometimes get comment about typos, grammar or things that readers think should’ve been corrected. So this brings me to wonder, are erotic authors not getting as much attention from their editors as other genre authors?

First let me say this — I am not trying to pass off my mistakes as something my editors should be responsible for. Ultimately, it’s my book, my story, and my name on the cover. That means it’s my responsibility to make it shine. (And yes, I am looking into taking a grammar course). But, I do admit that what felt like a lack of interest from my editors has effected my motivation, drive, and ability to produce. As a professional writer, it shouldn’t, but in reality, it does. Writing is a creative thing, and as creative people, writers can sometime become too analytical, too emotional, or just plain ol’ too wrapped up in their own heads. I would love to feel like an editor is completely in love with my work, and wants to do nothing but help me shine, but this is a business, and I am not my editors only author. If I become too much work for them, it’s bye-bye Sasha. I understand this. But I still can’t help but wonder why the majority of the erotic authors I speak too say the same thing about a lack of interest or input.

Do we feel this way because Erotic fiction as a separate genre is new, therefor we are all pretty much new authors craving reassurance? Or is it perhaps because editing these sorts of stories is new to some of the editors so they’re just going through the motions? Or, maybe it’s because the books sell enough as they are for the publisher to make a bit of money, and they’re not particularly interested in building any big name authors for the genre?

NOTE: So, after reading this and re-stating that I wrote it in 2009, I want to point out that Traditional publishers started to downswing their erotic stories. By that I mean, they bought less and less and rumours flew that erotic was dead as a genre. Then self-publishing became a viable option, and strangely enough, erotic started to sell again. Even now, the majority of erotic authors self publish their stories.

Thoughts?