Taste of Cyn

The State Of Publishing – 2015 – My Perspective

By Cynthia Sax on January 28, 2015

For newer writers trying to make a living from our stories, times are challenging in Romanceland. Prices have dropped. The number of books sold per title has decreased. The marketing required to be noticed has increased.

There’s been quite a bit of finger pointing, folks assigning blame. Being a business gal, I have a different perspective on events. Having already shared this with a few writers and bloggers, I want to talk about this here, hoping you’ll add your insights (in the comments).

Note: I don’t have any insider information. This is based on my observations only, as a writer and a reader. I could be totally in outer space (though my predictions have come true thus far) but I’ve seen these same trends in other industries (like music and soft drinks and…well…almost every other industry).

The Ideal Publishing Environment

The ideal business environment has supply (roughly) equaling demand. The number of books written would equal the number of books readers buy. Readers would pay a price they could afford, a price that allowed writers to make good livings.

To have an ideal business environment (or approach one), there must be barriers to entry. As we only need to produce (roughly) the number of books readers buy, we only need a certain number of writers. There must be something in place that blocks everyone in the market from becoming a writer.

The Past

Years ago, before the self-publishing phenomenon, the biggest barrier to entry was the bookseller. Some people think it was the publisher. It wasn’t. The booksellers only wanted to deal with publishers. They didn’t want writers to approach them directly, didn’t want to deal with thousands of individuals, to have these strangers touching their systems. They preferred to work with other companies, with publishers.

(There were other factors and other barriers to entry but this is the one that has affected the change we’re struggling with today. This simplification of the past is intentional.)

Publishers, with the booksellers, set prices they perceived as optimal. The selling price multiplied by the number of books sold resulted in the greatest profit for the booksellers, the publishers and the writers. The publishers, with the booksellers, also restricted the number of books they contracted from writers. The bookseller only had shelf room for X number of books. Publishers bought (roughly) X number of books.

Yes, there were a few brave independents, writers who self-published, but small print runs of books were costly. As writers tried to recoup their costs, the prices on these books were often high. And many booksellers wouldn’t stock these books. They had enough books from the larger publishers.

Change Happens

This past might seem ideal. It wasn’t. Publishers were producing books they THOUGHT readers wanted, not books readers truly wanted. Readers were frustrated with selection. Writers were frustrated with having their stories blocked.

And healthy industries change. They have to, to stay relevant. In publishing, eBooks were invented. Writers no longer had to print their stories. With this huge cost eliminated, they could afford to offer their books directly to readers.

Booksellers, new upstarts like Smashwords and Amazon, recognized this trend. They created systems that allowed them to easily deal with writers directly, to allow everyone to become a publisher.

There were now no significant barriers to entry. EVERYONE could publish a book, could have their books be available for sale. For a short stretch of time, there was a honeymoon period. The first brave self-publishing writers could drop the prices of their books by a dollar and readers would buy these unknowns. Self-published writers offered a wider variety of stories and they offered them at price points readers had never seen.

I, as a reader, was giddy with the selection, trying genres and themes I’d never read. I was NOT reading more books. I read a book a day before self-publishing became popular. I read a book a day after self-publishing became popular. I was merely buying books directly from writers, rather than buying them from the large publishers.

The large publishers and the booksellers who didn’t offer the self-publishing option saw their number of books sold decrease. Selling price multiplied by the number of books sold equals income. The number of books sold decreased. As a businesswoman, I would immediately consider increasing the selling price to offset this decrease, so the income remains the same.

Some publishers did exactly this.

It didn’t work.

Why?

One reason is prices are sticky upward. Readers love it when prices fall. They don’t like it when prices increase and they react to these price increases by buying fewer books.

Another reason is readers now had an almost unlimited supply of books. As more and more stories were published, readers couldn’t keep up. They couldn’t read all of the books being published. Supply exceeded demand.

Writers and publishers dropped the prices to snag the attention of readers, to convince readers to buy and read THEIR books. This worked for a little while until other writers followed suit, lowering their prices also. Writers and publishers dropped the prices again. Other writers matched these lower prices.

Eventually, prices reached zero. It costs money for eBooks to be produced. Writers also need to pay their bills. But writers justified giving their books away as a means to gain loyal readers.

The Present

This tactic no longer works. There are now so many free romance novels offered, that free alone won’t convince readers to try a new-to-them writer.

Some writers invest time or money into marketing. This means that, yes, some writers are PAYING to give their books away.

Established writers don’t have this issue (though they have seen the impact of free books). They have a reader base that promotes their books for free, that will vouch for the writer’s quality of stories. I will happily pay for a Lisa Kleypas historical because I know I’ll receive a great, entertaining story. I’m not as willing to pay for a complete unknown… unless a reading buddy recommends the writer.

But no one is recommending many of these newer writers because there are thousands of them, all wanting readers and reviewers and bloggers to read their books for free.

The Future – My Predictions

Free Is Here To Stay

I don’t foresee that the supply of free books will ever end. There will always be newer writers willing to give their books away. Not everyone views writing as a career (and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing). Even if the supply of free books stopped tomorrow, there are still enough free romances currently offered to keep any reader busy for… well… for her entire life (and the lives of her kids and grandkids and…).

There Will Be Resistance To Not Free

Prices, as I mentioned, are sticky upward. It will be more and more difficult for writers and publishers to increase prices from the starting point of free. My 100 page novellas at Ellora’s Cave sold for $5.00. My 200 page novellas at Avon, a large New York publisher, now sell for 99 cents. Yeah, ouch. I have to offer double the length of story and sell five times as many copies of my books merely to have the same sales (sales, not profit, because I now also have to advertise my books more).

Physical Bookshelves Will Continue To Shrink

One of the current barriers to entry for writers/publishers is bookshelf space at bricks and mortar booksellers like Barnes and Noble, Target, Wal-Mart. A romance novel on one of these shelves isn’t competing against thousands (millions?) of romance novels. It is competing against hundreds. That’s a huge advantage for these writers and publishers.

But this shelf space is shrinking. In Canada, we have one large bricks and mortar dedicated-to-books bookseller. This bookseller, ten years ago, offered only books. Today, the same selling space is about 50 percent books / 50 percent gift.

This limited space will be assigned to writers who have proven they can sell books. I’ve asked how I can get my books on physical shelf. The answer I hear from editors, publishers, agents again and again? Hit the best selling lists in eBook format. In other words, be successful sales wise.

What Is Happening In North America WILL Happen In Other Markets

Some writers have told me that they aren’t concerned about the trends of free books and the shrinking physical shelf space in North America because they have healthy sales in Europe.

For now.

My prediction is these markets are merely lagging North America. Amazon exists everywhere. Self publishing exists everywhere. Companies seeking to maximize profits while minimizing efforts exist everywhere.

There Will Still Be Breakout Hits

Does this mean no newer writers will break out, no newer writer will make the transition from giving her stories away for free to being a well paid writer on the lists?

No, of course not. There will still be break out hits. Maybe these stories have a fresh theme or are offered in new formats or have the full support of a powerful publisher or capture the attention of Oprah/Ellen/Kim Kardashian or snag a Hollywood deal or have some other difference I can’t think of right now.

When I evaluate a new idea, I ask myself — “Why would this story break out? What makes this story different from the thousands of stories already on the market?” I’d never read a billionaire vs biker love triangle so I wrote Sinful Rewards. I haven’t seen the idea I’m currently working on.

Breaking out will happen only to the rare few (and we can’t count on this). The rest of us will have to find some other way to feed ourselves, pay the rent and other bills.

Writers And Publishers Will Find Alternate Revenue Streams

Will writers be forced to hold dreaded ‘day jobs’, non-writing paying gigs? Some will choose this option but it isn’t the only one we have. Writers are creative. We’ll find other ways to earn a living from our stories.

We’ve already seen some intriguing alternatives.

Patrons

Some writers are looking to crowdsourcing (like Kickstarter) to fund their next stories. Historically, artists have often relied on the generosity of patrons. The internet now allows writers to rely on the generosity of MANY patrons. We share the premise of the stories we’d like to write. These patrons decide whether or not they wish to support them.

Advertising

We’ve seen the growth of advertising in music. Almost every music video features branded phones or headphones or other products.

I use brand names in my contemporary erotic romances all the time. Bee Googles key words in Sinful Rewards. Hawke borrows a Hummer from the Organization. Right now, I’m giving these brands free advertising. It wouldn’t change my stories if the companies owning these brands paid for the privilege.

(This could be an opportunity for publishers. Companies don’t want thousands of writers contacting them. They might, however, be willing to work with one large publisher representing hundreds of writers. This could create a barrier to entry…which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.)

Some companies are already approaching writers directly. I’ve heard of a couple of Fortune 500 companies that have contracted writers to write romances spotlighting their products (as part of unique marketing campaigns).

Other Ideas

I’m certain there are hundreds, thousands of ideas I haven’t yet thought of. As I mentioned, writers are creative. We’ll figure out how to make the dream of writing full time a reality. There will be failures but there will also be successes. Some of these successes will change romance writing and reading forever.

Romance writers WILL survive. That’s not a prediction. That’s a certainty.

Do you have other/different predictions for romance writing? What are they?

***

Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Bee Carter has been offered everything she has ever dreamed of—a caring, lasting relationship with a handsome, often charming billionaire; the permanent home she’s never had but has always craved; and wealth to buy the designer fashions she loves, support her hard-working mother, and ensure her acceptance by Chicago’s elite.

To obtain what she’s desired for so long, she has to do only two things: Walk away from her best friend, a woman who is destined to betray her … and end her passionate nightly encounters with a certain tattooed biker, a former Marine who can never give her what she needs.

Her answer should be clear, but the heart has a way of complicating even the most straightforward decisions.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-Billionaires-Bikers-Novella-ebook/dp/B00JZOVYQG

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sinfulrewards7-1718231-237.html

Avon: http://www.avonromance.com/book/cynthia-sax-sinful-rewards-7

Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-7-cynthia-sax/1119919841

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Sax_Sinful_Rewards_7?id=CGsOBAAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sinful-rewards-7/id870582006

Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on The State Of Publishing – 2015 – My Perspective

Sinful Rewards 8 – First Excerpt

By Cynthia Sax on January 27, 2015

This post has adult content. If you are under the age of eighteen years old and/or sensitive to adult language/situations, please do not read this post.

Here is a first excerpt from Sinful Rewards 8 (releasing February 17th)

***

We walk toward the south building, Hawke shortening his long stride to match mine. It’s another perfect summer day, the sky blue, the sun fierce. Although my toe aches and I’m trapped in the condo’s grounds, my heart is filled with an irrational joy, my body humming with awareness, thrilled with my military man’s proximity.

We pass in front of the complex’s small private park, the green space wedged between the buildings. Nicolas won’t be there. I push away my apprehension. It’s late in the day, and he’ll stick to his usual schedule. My luck isn’t that bad.

The gate swings open and the billionaire strides out of the park, his lean body clad in a form-fitting black suit, white shirt, gray silk tie.

Shit. My luck is that bad. I stop abruptly, Hawke bumping into my back. Don’t see me. Don’t see me. Don’t see me, I silently plead, my heart pounding.

Nicolas turns his head toward us. I catch my breath, dreading this confrontation. His gaze meets mine and his already grim expression becomes more severe. “Bee.” There’s a wealth of want and need in his voice.

“Nicolas.” I attempt breezy and casual, achieve high and squeaky.

Hawke, the possessive bastard, hooks his arm around my waist. I twist, trying to break his hold before Nicolas notices.

I fail miserably, a heartbreaking pain flashing across the billionaire’s handsome face. My stomach twists. He cares for me, considers me a friend, as more, and I’ve hurt him. “I—”

“Is this why you refused to live with me?” He curls his top lip, baring his teeth. “Because you were fucking—”

Hawke rushes forward, lifts Nicolas off the ground, and pins him against the wrought-iron fence, his hands wrapped around the man’s neck, the barbed wire tattoo encircling his bulging right bicep rippling.

“Watch your mouth, Rainer,” he growls, leaning forward, staring directly into his opponent’s eyes. “That’s my girl you’re talking to.”

He’s a brute, hell-bent on protecting me, not caring that Nicolas is one of the most wealthy men in the country. My nipples tighten, my body responding to the primitive power in his stance, while the more rational part of me recognizes the danger in this situation.

“Hawke, release him.” I hurry toward the two men, the billionaire’s reddening face alarming me.

My former marine’s grip on Nicolas’s neck tightens.

***

Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Bee Carter is no longer torn between her handsome billionaire and her tattooed bad-boy biker. After enjoying mind-melting, world-tilting sex and experiencing the pleasure of waking in her man’s arms, she has finally made her choice.

Or has she?

A violent early morning confrontation pits biker against billionaire and results in a shocking proposal: the discarded man is willing to overlook Bee’s wild night with his rival in order to win her love. He will sacrifice his pride, his heart, and everything he holds dear to have her.

Bee is unmoved by the offer … until the man she’s chosen encourages her to accept.

Now Bee is yet again faced with an impossible decision: Does she pursue the man she craves, who has rejected her love, or does she settle for the man who will do anything for her?

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KPVB4RM

Avon: http://www.avonromance.com/book/cynthia-sax-sinful-rewards-8

Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-8-cynthia-sax/1119919842

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Sax_Sinful_Rewards_8?id=O-xMBAAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sinful-rewards-8/id885104040

Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Sinful Rewards 8 – First Excerpt

Sinful Rewards 7 – How To Take A Great Selfie

By Cynthia Sax on January 26, 2015

This post has adult content. If you are under the age of eighteen years old and/or sensitive to adult language/situations, please do not read this post.

In Sinful Rewards 7, Bee takes an erotic selfie of herself.

***

Nicolas, a.k.a. Friendly, might have requested the photo, but Hawke is the man I’m posing for. I’ll send my former marine a copy, to look at during breaks between high-risk assignments. My lips flatten. I position my phone on the desk, pointing the built-in camera toward me and setting the device on delay.

I brace my feet apart and bend over the desk, flattening my breasts against the hard surface. My nipples and mons are hidden by the wood, and my ass is tilted toward the ceiling. I spread my hair over my bare back, allowing a suggestion of curves, creating a sexy, not skanky pose.

The phone’s camera flashes. I study the image and frown. The angle in this first naughty selfie is unflattering, my face appearing humongous. I delete this photo.

It requires a couple of takes before I’m happy with the results. The photo I choose is erotic yet tasteful. Although my body is clearly naked, nothing sinful is showing, and it is visually stunning. The overhead lights cast reddish highlights in my hair and illuminate a hint of ass. My smile is seductive, my eyes soft. I’m beautiful, a woman worthy of forever.

Pleased and a little bit surprised by the results, I nod, embracing this side of me. If this image was forwarded to the world, I’d be proud, not upset.

I send the photo to Friendly, a man I’m almost certain is Nicolas, and to Hawke, the most honorable man I’ve ever met, trusting both men with this intimate portrait of me.

***

What are some tips on taking a great selfie (erotic or not)?

Digital Photo Secrets suggests
– Hold the camera higher than your face to make it appear thinner
– Turn one shoulder toward the lens
– Stick your neck out a little to eliminate the double chin
(I’ve watched actresses pose on the red carpet. They lean forward. It looks very unnatural.)
– Use natural light if at all possible (stand next to a window)
– Turn your head a few degrees to the left or right. This will make your face look less flat.

***

Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Her answer should be clear, but the heart has a way of complicating even the most straightforward decisions.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-Billionaires-Bikers-Novella-ebook/dp/B00JZOVYQG

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sinfulrewards7-1718231-237.html

Avon: http://www.avonromance.com/book/cynthia-sax-sinful-rewards-7

Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-7-cynthia-sax/1119919841

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Sax_Sinful_Rewards_7?id=CGsOBAAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sinful-rewards-7/id870582006

Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Sinful Rewards 7 – How To Take A Great Selfie

Sinful Rewards 10 Cover Reveal

By Cynthia Sax on January 25, 2015

Yay!

We have a cover for Sinful Rewards 10!

Note: Avon’s awesome cover artist hasn’t read ahead in the serial.
She doesn’t know which man Bee will choose – Nicolas, our elusive billionaire, or Hawke, our bad boy biker. We intentionally haven’t shared this with her.

***

Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Her answer should be clear, but the heart has a way of complicating even the most straightforward decisions.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-Billionaires-Bikers-Novella-ebook/dp/B00JZOVYQG

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sinfulrewards7-1718231-237.html

Avon: http://www.avonromance.com/book/cynthia-sax-sinful-rewards-7

Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-7-cynthia-sax/1119919841

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Sax_Sinful_Rewards_7?id=CGsOBAAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sinful-rewards-7/id870582006

Topics: Cover Reveal | Comments Off on Sinful Rewards 10 Cover Reveal

Sinful Rewards 7 – Incredibly Addicted

By Cynthia Sax on January 23, 2015

Holy Toledo! We have another great review for Sinful Rewards 7!

Cris Conquers shares

http://www.crisconquers.com/2015/01/review-giveaway-sinful-rewards-7-by.html

“I’m incredibly addicted to Cynthia Sax’s Sinful Rewards series and I cannot wait for the next installment to get my fix of Bee and Hawke. Honestly, Hawke is everything I want in a book boyfriend. He’s a muscled, former marine, biker bad-boy with a protective streak and a dirty mouth. Doesn’t that sound like heaven?”

***

Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Her answer should be clear, but the heart has a way of complicating even the most straightforward decisions.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-Billionaires-Bikers-Novella-ebook/dp/B00JZOVYQG

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sinfulrewards7-1718231-237.html

Avon: http://www.avonromance.com/book/cynthia-sax-sinful-rewards-7

Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-7-cynthia-sax/1119919841

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Sax_Sinful_Rewards_7?id=CGsOBAAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sinful-rewards-7/id870582006

Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on Sinful Rewards 7 – Incredibly Addicted

Sinful Rewards 7 – FIVE Leaves

By Cynthia Sax on January 23, 2015

Woot! Falling In Fall gave Sinful Rewards 7 FIVE leaves!

http://fallinginfall.blogspot.ca/2015/01/sinful-rewards-7-by-cynthia-sax-review.html

“You have no idea how excited for this book!! Finally all the foreplay, Bee and my man finally had sex. And, it was so worth the wait or me, it was perfect!”

***

Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Her answer should be clear, but the heart has a way of complicating even the most straightforward decisions.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-Billionaires-Bikers-Novella-ebook/dp/B00JZOVYQG

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sinfulrewards7-1718231-237.html

Avon: http://www.avonromance.com/book/cynthia-sax-sinful-rewards-7

Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-7-cynthia-sax/1119919841

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Sax_Sinful_Rewards_7?id=CGsOBAAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sinful-rewards-7/id870582006

Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on Sinful Rewards 7 – FIVE Leaves

Sinful Rewards 7 – Interviewed!

By Cynthia Sax on January 23, 2015

I’ve been interviewed at Paola’s Bookshelf.

http://paolasbookshelf.blogspot.ca/2015/01/tour-sinful-rewards-7-by-cynthia-sax.html

Here’s a snippet…

If you could sit down face to face with one of your characters, who would you choose and why?

If I thought he’d actually talk to me, I’d choose Nicolas, the jelly bean loving billionaire from Sinful Rewards, but it has taken Bee six installments to have him open up at all to her. He keeps his secrets close.

I’d love to have a beer with Hawke, our bad boy biker, at The Road Gator, the bar he frequents. He’s always surrounded by a group of sexy hot motorcycle men, all former military.

***

Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Her answer should be clear, but the heart has a way of complicating even the most straightforward decisions.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-Billionaires-Bikers-Novella-ebook/dp/B00JZOVYQG

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sinfulrewards7-1718231-237.html

Avon: http://www.avonromance.com/book/cynthia-sax-sinful-rewards-7

Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-7-cynthia-sax/1119919841

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Sax_Sinful_Rewards_7?id=CGsOBAAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sinful-rewards-7/id870582006

Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Sinful Rewards 7 – Interviewed!

Writing Erotic Romance – Why Do You Write Erotic Romance?

By Cynthia Sax on January 22, 2015

In my humble opinion, this is THE most important question any writer can ask herself. The second most important question, which we’ll also cover in this post, is ‘Why do you want your stories published?’ These questions are very different and they might have different answers, yet they’ll craft your career, directing you toward YOUR personal definition of success.

Note: The answers to these questions will likely change over time. The reason I’m sending my stories to publishers today is not the same reason I sent my stories to be published two years ago.

Why Do You Write Erotic Romance?

There are many, MANY answers to this question. None of them are wrong or right, better or worse. Agents or publishers or fellow writers don’t need to know your answer. This is YOUR truth.
Here are merely a few of the possibilities

– writing helps you sort out your thoughts or emotions
– you need to see your fantasies in print to fully enjoy them
– it’s fun, an outlet for your creativity
– writing fictional stories reveals real life issues you might be grappling with
– you’re writing erotic romances you can’t find in Romanceland
– you read an erotic romance, didn’t like the ending, so you’re changing it
– you see writing as a possible career or a way to become wealthy
– writing gives you a task to complete while you’re home, caring for your kids
– you want to enter your bookstore and see your name on a book cover
– your mom thinks you should write a book
– you were dared by a buddy to write an erotic romance
– you’ve always written. It is part of you
– writing is a way to vent your emotions
– you love the craft of writing, the manipulation of words
– it’s a way to use the research you love collecting
– your hubby is stationed overseas and loves receiving hot stories from you
– you see writing as a way to become famous

For a long time, I didn’t write for anyone else. I wrote only for myself, simply for the joy of putting my fantasies on paper (I’m a visual person. I have to see something to fully enjoy it). I didn’t need to be published or edited or see my story in a bookstore to be happy… so I didn’t do these things.

I still write primarily for myself. Yes, writing is now my career but I know if I ever agree to write a story I’m not excited about, I’ll be unhappy. I would rather not be published than write a story I’m not thrilled about. Some writers would call that unprofessional and unrealistic. (shrugs) Maybe it is but it’s my truth. It is what I need to be happy.

Just because you’re a writer doesn’t mean you need to be published writer. Ever. Being a published writer doesn’t automatically increase every writer’s joy of writing. For example: If you write to sort out your thoughts or feelings, you might not want anyone else to read your stories. Showing these innermost thoughts to others could erase all of your joy of writing.

Why Do You Want Your Stories Published?

Before you self-publish your first story or send it to an agent or publisher, ask yourself WHY you’re doing this. Again, there are no right or wrong answers.

Here are some possible answers

– working with an editor will improve your writing skills
– you want to widen the diversity of erotic romances in Romanceland
– you need the possible income/it is a way to possibly become wealthy
– you want to enter your bookstore and see your name on a book cover
– your mom wants to show your book to her friends
– you have a message in your stories that you wish to share with the world
– you wish to give back to Romanceland, to contribute to the industry
– you want to introduce yourself as a published writer
– you’re curious as to whether or not your story is good and want a professional’s opinion
– you want to be famous

Your answer to this question changes your options. If you want to see your story in a bookstore, you would only submit your story to publishers that have presences in bookstores. If you need income ASAP, you might look at publishers with short publishing lead times or publishers offering advances. If you want to see your name on a cover of a book, you likely wouldn’t use a pen name. If you want to become famous, you might promote your books by attending conferences or hosting book signings.

Are there some possible answers that I haven’t listed? (I’m certain there are zillions I’ve missed)

***

Subscribe To My Release Day Newsletter: http://tasteofcyn.com/2014/05/28/newsletter/

Her answer should be clear, but the heart has a way of complicating even the most straightforward decisions.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-Billionaires-Bikers-Novella-ebook/dp/B00JZOVYQG

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sinfulrewards7-1718231-237.html

Avon: http://www.avonromance.com/book/cynthia-sax-sinful-rewards-7

Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-7-cynthia-sax/1119919841

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Sax_Sinful_Rewards_7?id=CGsOBAAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sinful-rewards-7/id870582006

Topics: Writing Tips | Comments Off on Writing Erotic Romance – Why Do You Write Erotic Romance?

Sinful Rewards 7 – Secrets

By Cynthia Sax on January 22, 2015

I’m talking about secrets on Ramblings From This Chick.

http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.ca/2015/01/guest-post-with-author-cynthia-sax-and.html

Here’s a snippet…

“Part of the fun for me, as a writer, is hearing readers’ guesses about certain secrets. Who is Friendly? Whom will Bee end up with—Nicolas, the jellybean loving billionaire, or Hawke, the bad boy biker or is there a third option? What are Lona’s plans for Bee? What happened between Cole and Cyndi? Why does Cyndi never like to sleep alone?”

***

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Her answer should be clear, but the heart has a way of complicating even the most straightforward decisions.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sinful-Rewards-Billionaires-Bikers-Novella-ebook/dp/B00JZOVYQG

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sinfulrewards7-1718231-237.html

Avon: http://www.avonromance.com/book/cynthia-sax-sinful-rewards-7

Barnes And Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sinful-rewards-7-cynthia-sax/1119919841

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Cynthia_Sax_Sinful_Rewards_7?id=CGsOBAAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sinful-rewards-7/id870582006

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Sinful Rewards 7 – 10 out of 10

By Cynthia Sax on January 22, 2015

Yay!

We have another great review for Sinful Rewards 7!

Brit Nanny Reads shares

“So this book of deliciousness in wrapped up in 9 chapters of perfect writing and storytelling. I say every month that I couldn’t love this series anymore, but every month I am proved to be a liar and become even more obsessed with Bee and her life in Chicago, I am going to have one serious book hangover when this series is completed.”