For aspiring erotica writers — and authors in any genre who want to make the "good" parts great

Susie Bright is the first and reigning queen of contemporary erotica. In How to Write a Dirty Story she reveals her tricks of the trade and shows you how to heat up sex scenes in everything from traditional novels and romances to science fiction and humor. Easing the aspiring writer into the creative process, she tells you how to write the steamy plots and sensual characters that publishers and readers are looking for. Bright makes it easy to:

Produce unique ideas * Master erotic language

Climax the story * Sell your work to the right place

Each chapter features practical writing exercises and suggestions for nonwriting activities that will galvanize the imagination and raze any creative or psychological hurdle. When it's time to go public, Bright draws on her own writing and publishing experiences and explains the most effective ways to find an agent, work with an editor, and grow a loyal audience.

As irreverent as it is practical, How to Write a Dirty Story is the only book an erotica author — novice or seasoned — needs.

Laura MillerSalonEvery would-be and burgeoning author should read this.

Lavada NahonPenthouseI invite anyone who wishes to get published to read How to Write a Dirty Story first! It will greatly increase your chances of seeing your words in print or online.

Linda Jaivinauthor of Eat Me and Rock 'n' Roll Babes from Outer SpaceWhat a fabulous book! Well-written (naturally), provocative (of course), and eminently sensible. It integrates all aspects of the process.

M. J. Roseauthor of Lip Service and In FidelityFrom the exercises that Susie gives writers to the education she gives readers — this book is a must.

Here, erotica author Susie Bright show readers how to heat up sex scenes in all types of fiction. She guides aspiring writers through reading erotica to discover which styles work, as well as all aspects of the writing process. She also covers how to get the work published.

Here, erotica author Susie Bright shows readers how to heat up sex scenes in everything from traditional novels and romances to science fiction and horror. She guides aspiring writers in reading erotica to discover the elements and styles that work. Then she walks them through the writing process: how to get hot ideas, devise steamy plots, use language like a pro and bring the story to a memorable climax. Each chapter features writing exercises and suggestions for non-writing activities that will galvanize the imagination and raze any hurdle. Drawing on her own experiences, Bright explains how to find an agent, work with an editor, choose a publishing company and sell the work.

Susie Bright is the editor of The Best American Erotica series. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Contents

What You Will Learn About Sex and Writing from This Book

Part I. Thinking About Erotica

How I Ascended: Becoming an Erotic Goddess

What Is Your Story?
What You Wouldn't Expect About Erotic Writing:

Is Writing Sex Better than Having Sex?

A (Brief) History of Sex Writing in America

The Similarities Between Erotica and Pornography

Femmechismo

Sexual Authenticity

Writing Erotica for an Audience of One

Part II. Reading It

What Do You Like...and Where Do You Find It?
"What Do You Like?" Exercises

The Good Parts

Reading Aloud
Erotic Reading Exercise

The Erotic Reader's Bill of Rights

Part III. Writing It

How to Get Ideas
Fantasies Exercise
The "Favorite Writer" Exercise

How to Use the Whole (Fucking) English Language
Dirty Words Exercise

Sexual Character
Character Splits Exercise

Steamy Plots
Steamy Plot Exercise
The Cliché-Ridden Plot-Buster Exercise

Climax
The "See Yourself" Orgasm Writing Exercise
The Orgasm Memory Exercise

Sex and Violence
Violence Exercise

Experimental Writing

How to Mix Sex with Other Genres: Sci-fi, Horror, Crime, Romance
The Expanding Genres Exercise —
A Special Exercise for Couch Potatoes

What Will People Say?

Part IV. Editing It

Editors: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Finding the Perfect Editor
The Five Cardinal Rules for Editing Yourself
The Editor Search: A Few Dos and Don'ts

Copyediting and Proofreading

Part V. Publishing It

A Devil's Argument Against Publishing

Money Money Money
If You Want to Make Some Money at Writing — but Not a Full-time Livelihood
If You Want to Make a Living at Writing — Year In and Year Out
How to Write a #1 Bestseller — and Never Write Again If You Don't Want To

Big-time Book Publishers
How You Can Spot an Incompetent Copyeditor

Small Press Publishers

Self-Publishing and the Internet

The Literary Agents
Why Some Writers Can't Seem to Find an Agent

Part VI. Selling It

I'm an Artist, Not a Salesman

Your Fan Club

Performing Your Work

The Book Tour

The Reviews: Meet the Press

Part VII. Doing It

What's Going to Happen to Your Sex Life

You Are a Sex Guru

The Naysayers

Sex Writer Burnout

What Are You Waiting For?

Part VIII. Appendix

How to Nominate Stories for The Best American Erotica Series

Internet Resources for Erotic Authors

Credits

References