Now I know I promised Tina Sue I wouldn't get into the heavier stuff as an erotic fiction author, you folks may not be ready for it! *wicked grins* But she said A: fill the blog so we don't lose traffic, our SEO stays tight and yes you can promote your books.
After my last two informative posts, and the rather depressing intro I posted I thought I'd share an excerpt and premise behind my latest BDSM romance, "Forced Pleasure" out from Sizzler Editions.
When I started that book, I wanted to capitalize on the success of my other best selling BDSM stsory, "Gift of Her Submission." That particular collection of three stories revolving around the same dominant has been still, the number one seller for me even though it came out in 2009. I'm thrilled, believe me. But I had a hidden agenda when I started writing. The agenda was to two-fold. First, knock out the competition in BDSM, I don't like a particular style, quality or interpretation of What It Is That We Do, and it floors me that so many people purchase but I can't really do much about it. Other than outsell the author's work with something that has heart and is a more honest representation of the majority of people in the lifestyle. The other intention was to give back to my loved ones. See, my stories tend to feature people based on loved ones in real life. Two of my submissives at the time, plus a very dear friend from high school all needed happy endings and this was the quickest, easiest way to do it.
Sure I used some typical instruments associated with the Lifestyle. Ronan is a master with floggers, whips and the like But his speciality, another often not recognized aspect of BDSM, is his mental control. His perceptions of those who gift him their bodies, hearts and souls are rewarded with love, honesty, trust and safety.
Well fast forward two years later and I'm still trying to crack the formula
of why Gift did so well. You know us authors, we want repeats! So Forced Pleasure was born. The concept was simple. Francine, the sexy little vixen, works for a man who pushes himself day in and day out, just as she does for their jobs. Neither enjoy much in the way of past time pleasures and Francine's boyfriend Nick travels a lot. Given a fairly long leash (something more typical in menage romances as of late) she has the idea of seducing her boss, but he won't play by her rules.
The story is loosely based on a lover of mine (lover in the broadest sense of the word!) who I adore dearly. She, like me works herself to the bone and beyond. Both of us should be dead by now. Seriously! So I wrote her a story with a rather happy ending, and decided to leave the heavy bondage to the heavy players. Instead of leather and metal, or whips and paddles, I went for more accessible restraints. The skirt (and more) wrapped around naked thighs, soft yet dominating words whispered as though they were secrets, and of course, hot sex. I wanted to reach a broader audience in that.
As authors, we must realize that our romance stories are great stories but the broader the appeal, the more likely it will be for us to have a sale. And pick up a lifelong reader. That is, the goal after all, right?
This gives us more options, including cross marketing which is something my publicist and The Author Success Coach talk of frequently. Hopefully you'll leave with the impact I hope for - picking up the two titles mentioned and learning that love is the ultimate in BDSM as it tugs our hearts, messes with our minds, bodies and makes us commit our souls to the very person we end up with.
And it's a blessed thing.
Buy Gift of Her Submission from Amazon
Buy Forced Pleasure from Sizzler Editions
Though I didn't exactly put it like that "A: fill the blog so we don't lose traffic, our SEO stays tight and yes you can promote your books."
ReplyDeleteI suppose, it is the gist of what I said :o)
Really great post, Sascha and I think many authors, from different genres can relate. Love that you shared with us what is behind your books and some of the "why of it". Thanks so much!
I have never read a BDSM story but have always wanted to.
ReplyDeleteTina,
ReplyDeleteI think you were much more blunt :P
Michael, BDSM takes many forms and honestly you may have already and not even known it! But if you should pick up one of my bdsm romances, I'd be thrilled and honored!
Blunt??
ReplyDeletePot calling the kettle black. :o)
Is the excerpt somewhere else? Was looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I've always been a little fearful using real events or people in my fictional worlds.
Irene Noomis
Sascha, what a wonderful gift to give to your friend. I'm sure she was quite honored.
ReplyDeleteThe, shall we say, "less restrained" elements of BDSM being used sounds very intriguing. It makes it feel almost like a beginner's guide, or an entry point into the genre. I think that I would very much like to read this. And then of course, I'll likely have to read your earlier books as well.
I'd swear I posted replies yesterday...
ReplyDeleteJason, The less restrained elements are more for the crowd here and a larger audience. Most folks wouldn't understand if I broke out my single tail and pulled a willing victim on stage with me and stripped her and whipped her. But heated passion in the form of clothes tearing and creative use...
The overall Amazon backlist link: http://www.amazon.com/Sascha-Illyvich/e/B002IYU4J8
Irene, what makes it fun is when you've developed enough skill as a writer that you can take a real life event and twist it up into something entirely new and different. Why the fear?
No doubt, this is a well written post. And I like the new APA Blog with different writers. But maybe a suggestion?
ReplyDeleteI think it would be neat if you asked the audience a question, at the end. Something that related to your post. I read this blog three times before deciding to comment because I didn't know what to comment on. Just a thought.