Lexy Harper's Blog, page 4
March 23, 2011
FREE COPY - BEDTIME EROTICA FOR MEN
I'm giving away free PDF copies of
Bedtime Erotica for Men
from my website this week! I may never be in this generous a mood again, so you'd better strike while I feeling charitable. 
THIRD POST IN THREE WEEKS ABOUT REVIEWS.
I always comment about the lack of reader reviews for my books, but for the third week running I've had a review and they were all for different books. I was very pleased with the 4-star review for Soca Nights. The 1-star review for Naughty Professor was undeserved I thought, but as I said in a previous post: 'a bad review can be a good thing'. Naughty Professor has been selling much better since that bad review because readers love a bit of sleaze.
Bedtime Erotica for Freaks (like me) received its fourth consecutive 5-star review this week, but the reviewer then decided to delete it because I inadvertently pissed him off afterwards. The reviewer had sent me an email saying that he had enjoyed the book and I asked him to leave a review. I get dozens of similar emails for readers who buy my books, visit my website or read my stories on Literotica. I have never made the request before, but this reader was one of the few people who 'got' the concept of the book - straight sex, no fancy frills.
He wrote an excellent review, so I wasn't thrilled when it was removed, but it was good to be reminded that I had promised myself to never actively seek endorsement from readers or fellow writers. When I first published my books I had the opportunity to have bestselling authors write reviews of my books for an agreed sum. I declined. Lots of writers exchange reviews, but I have never engaged in that kind of activity because if I read another writer's work and didn't like it I would hate to have to lie in a review and similarly, I would hate to make a fellow writer lie in a review of my book. I could have also had dozens of friends and family write 5-star reviews, but I would never stoop that low!
Reviews are good at giving potential readers different perspectives of a book, but don't guarantee sales. Personally, I don't take any review to heart because I don't need anyone to point out what my strengths and weaknesses are as a writer; I've done enough creative writing courses and read enough literary works to be able to critique my own writing. I choose to write in a style that is uniquely mine, readers either love it or they don't.
Hopefully this be my last post on reviews. But let's see what next week brings.
Bedtime Erotica for Freaks (like me) received its fourth consecutive 5-star review this week, but the reviewer then decided to delete it because I inadvertently pissed him off afterwards. The reviewer had sent me an email saying that he had enjoyed the book and I asked him to leave a review. I get dozens of similar emails for readers who buy my books, visit my website or read my stories on Literotica. I have never made the request before, but this reader was one of the few people who 'got' the concept of the book - straight sex, no fancy frills.
He wrote an excellent review, so I wasn't thrilled when it was removed, but it was good to be reminded that I had promised myself to never actively seek endorsement from readers or fellow writers. When I first published my books I had the opportunity to have bestselling authors write reviews of my books for an agreed sum. I declined. Lots of writers exchange reviews, but I have never engaged in that kind of activity because if I read another writer's work and didn't like it I would hate to have to lie in a review and similarly, I would hate to make a fellow writer lie in a review of my book. I could have also had dozens of friends and family write 5-star reviews, but I would never stoop that low!
Reviews are good at giving potential readers different perspectives of a book, but don't guarantee sales. Personally, I don't take any review to heart because I don't need anyone to point out what my strengths and weaknesses are as a writer; I've done enough creative writing courses and read enough literary works to be able to critique my own writing. I choose to write in a style that is uniquely mine, readers either love it or they don't.
Hopefully this be my last post on reviews. But let's see what next week brings.
March 17, 2011
A BAD REVIEW CAN BE A GOOD THING!
Two days ago a reader gave me a 1-star review for Naughty Professor which is currently priced at $0.99/£0.62 and it confirmed my thoughts on low-priced eBooks. It seems that readers rarely take the time to download samples of cheap eBooks before purchasing, simply because they are so cheap.
There is enough information in the Book Description for readers to see what they are getting beforehand. A professor seducing his students is morally wrong and I don't agree with it in real life, though it happens! But, this is fantasy and pretty much anything goes, as long as everyone is over the age of eighteen.
And it seems as though people rather like the idea of young women and a young man being being seduced by a dirty older man; Naughty Professor has had its best days of sales since the review. So, if you read it, please leave a review, good or bad, because either will be good for sales.
There is enough information in the Book Description for readers to see what they are getting beforehand. A professor seducing his students is morally wrong and I don't agree with it in real life, though it happens! But, this is fantasy and pretty much anything goes, as long as everyone is over the age of eighteen.
And it seems as though people rather like the idea of young women and a young man being being seduced by a dirty older man; Naughty Professor has had its best days of sales since the review. So, if you read it, please leave a review, good or bad, because either will be good for sales.
March 5, 2011
PAPERBACKS
I love paperbacks and worry about their future, but having looked at my paperback sales over the last year, I have come to the painful decision that I will not publish any new paperbacks until I see a drastic improvement in these figures. Formatting a book for paperback publishing takes precision and a lot of patience. It's also not a cheap process, especially if it requires correcting proofs and tweaking covers until you get the desired effect. I have currently reduced all three of my paperbacks to the very minimum price I can offer them, and still they are not flying off the shelves. In contrast, my Kindle book sales are going from strength to strength and will soon eclipse my total paperback sales .
And Kindle publishing is so much easier. New or corrected versions of eBooks can be uploaded overnight at no extra cost. Purchased eBooks can be downloaded in seconds, so readers get instant gratification. If the book is not as gratifying as hoped then readers can just as easily claim refunds.
I hate to leave my hard-line, dead-tree-reading friends and colleagues to join the high-tech electronic-reading brigade, but I have to say the more Kindle books I read, the more I embrace the concept. Although I worry vaguely that surely this can't be good for the eyes!
And Kindle publishing is so much easier. New or corrected versions of eBooks can be uploaded overnight at no extra cost. Purchased eBooks can be downloaded in seconds, so readers get instant gratification. If the book is not as gratifying as hoped then readers can just as easily claim refunds.
I hate to leave my hard-line, dead-tree-reading friends and colleagues to join the high-tech electronic-reading brigade, but I have to say the more Kindle books I read, the more I embrace the concept. Although I worry vaguely that surely this can't be good for the eyes!
SOCA NIGHTS
I received the first, and rather sweet, review of Soca Nights last week and it had quite an effect on me. I had lowered the price mainly for Valentine's Day, but partly also to see if there was enough interest in the book to justify publishing it in paperback.
The lower price prompted a flurry of purchases which thrilled me, but now I'm must choose between reverting the eBook to its original price, selling less copies but earning more royalties, or leaving it at the lowered price and tempting new readers who would not perhaps try my work otherwise.
I've decided to leave it at the lowered price because, although every cent/penny I earn takes me nearer to my dream of being a full-time writer, I write primarily for readers to enjoy. So, if I can entice more of them at the lower price then I want to continue doing so for the foreseeable future.
However, my erotica will stay at the higher price. Readers generally buy a cheap eBook without downloading a sample first. This is perfect for Soca Nights as I know they will be satisfied that they've received value for money. My erotica, on the other hand, is not for everyone. I want potential buyers to put much more thought into the purchasing of these books. I want them to download samples or visit my website to read more of my writing before making their decisions. As I've always said, I would much rather lose a potential sale than gain a dissatisfied customer.
The lower price prompted a flurry of purchases which thrilled me, but now I'm must choose between reverting the eBook to its original price, selling less copies but earning more royalties, or leaving it at the lowered price and tempting new readers who would not perhaps try my work otherwise.
I've decided to leave it at the lowered price because, although every cent/penny I earn takes me nearer to my dream of being a full-time writer, I write primarily for readers to enjoy. So, if I can entice more of them at the lower price then I want to continue doing so for the foreseeable future.
However, my erotica will stay at the higher price. Readers generally buy a cheap eBook without downloading a sample first. This is perfect for Soca Nights as I know they will be satisfied that they've received value for money. My erotica, on the other hand, is not for everyone. I want potential buyers to put much more thought into the purchasing of these books. I want them to download samples or visit my website to read more of my writing before making their decisions. As I've always said, I would much rather lose a potential sale than gain a dissatisfied customer.
March 4, 2011
COMBINED BEDTIME EROTICA?
I've been toying with the idea of combining all three books in the Bedtime Erotica series into a massive Kindle book titled The Bedtime Erotica Trilogy.
Or, selecting my favourite stories from the three collections (a tough choice because they are my babies and I love them all) and compiling them into one volume titled The Best of Bedtime Erotica. Singers do this all the time, why not writers?
Or perhaps even re-editing all the stories and publishing cleaner versions of the books for Kindle, if not in paperback. I wrote these stories five years ago when I was new to writing erotica and thought the more graphic the sex, the better. I'm older and wiser now and though I still love the stories and re-read them often (I hope I'm not the only writer who does this!) I can see that perhaps a more subtle approach could be applied. It's a tough decision because many of my fans love the books just the way they are and I still laugh my head off at the funny parts and get turned on by the sex scenes. But as I edit the second of my eight romance manuscripts, I'm beginning to see ways of enhancing my erotica.
Of course, any reader purchasing a book with a title Bedtime Erotica for Freaks (like me) will not necessarily be expecting subtlety! So I'm caught on the horns of a dilemma: do I leave well alone or do I fix what doesn't appear to be broken?
Or, selecting my favourite stories from the three collections (a tough choice because they are my babies and I love them all) and compiling them into one volume titled The Best of Bedtime Erotica. Singers do this all the time, why not writers?
Or perhaps even re-editing all the stories and publishing cleaner versions of the books for Kindle, if not in paperback. I wrote these stories five years ago when I was new to writing erotica and thought the more graphic the sex, the better. I'm older and wiser now and though I still love the stories and re-read them often (I hope I'm not the only writer who does this!) I can see that perhaps a more subtle approach could be applied. It's a tough decision because many of my fans love the books just the way they are and I still laugh my head off at the funny parts and get turned on by the sex scenes. But as I edit the second of my eight romance manuscripts, I'm beginning to see ways of enhancing my erotica.
Of course, any reader purchasing a book with a title Bedtime Erotica for Freaks (like me) will not necessarily be expecting subtlety! So I'm caught on the horns of a dilemma: do I leave well alone or do I fix what doesn't appear to be broken?
WRITING
Writing is a compulsion I've tried to stifle all my life because it consumes me totally. When I'm writing I forget time, place and other people – thankfully I have no dependents. I sometimes crave a sunny, uninhabited island where I could be alone with my thoughts and a solar-powered laptop. But I would probably go quietly insane or develop a severe case of RSI as my thoughts come faster than I can type when I give them free reign. I would be like a woman possessed trying to capture them all before they slipped away.
I yearn for the day when I have earned enough royalties to safely give up my day job, but I fear it equally. With nothing to stop me daydreaming I might lose touch with reality and become a part of my creations if I'm not constantly pulled back into reality by other obligations.
But I have taken several mini career breaks in the last seven years and they have been more glorious than anything I could have imagined. To have a chance to write freely without thinking of getting up for work the next day was sublime. I would love to take another breakright now, but it would defeat my long-term plans. I'm trying hard to be disciplined, to be patient and wait until the time is right, but it's so hard!
I yearn for the day when I have earned enough royalties to safely give up my day job, but I fear it equally. With nothing to stop me daydreaming I might lose touch with reality and become a part of my creations if I'm not constantly pulled back into reality by other obligations.
But I have taken several mini career breaks in the last seven years and they have been more glorious than anything I could have imagined. To have a chance to write freely without thinking of getting up for work the next day was sublime. I would love to take another breakright now, but it would defeat my long-term plans. I'm trying hard to be disciplined, to be patient and wait until the time is right, but it's so hard!
TO 'COME' OR TO 'CUM', THAT IS THE DILEMMA!
Many readers and writers are opposed to the use of the word 'cum' as a verb and it is a hotly debated subject. For me it is perfect for describing both the ejaculate and the act of ejaculation, although this is not strictly the correct usage.
The word 'cumming' precisely conveys my meaning to the reader without any ambiguity. Just the sight of the word fills me with deliciously naughty thoughts. 'Coming' does nothing for me - I use it only in my romance novels or when I have to submit a piece of 'literary' work.
While the debate rages on about the proper to use of the word, and since I have never been proper, I will 'cum' as and when I please!
The word 'cumming' precisely conveys my meaning to the reader without any ambiguity. Just the sight of the word fills me with deliciously naughty thoughts. 'Coming' does nothing for me - I use it only in my romance novels or when I have to submit a piece of 'literary' work.
While the debate rages on about the proper to use of the word, and since I have never been proper, I will 'cum' as and when I please!
March 3, 2011
SHEMALE - CAMILLA DE CASTRO
Years ago I watched a short, free movie which featured the late shemale, Camilla De Castro and found it very erotic. I'm seldom aroused by porn, but she and her male partner made love to each other in the most sensual way. It's such a shame that she was driven to suicide at such a young age, she must be sadly missed. She was indeed a 'goddess' and must have been quite a temptation for straight guys.
I'm writing a series Jo, Shemale Goddess! which is inspired by Camilla. Read the first The Last Reunion on my website.
Click here to see the movie. I had to change the link because the movie was deleted from xHamster. This version isn't as good, but still well worth watching.
You may also like my Kindle short story, Naughty Professor. Buy it on Amazon UK for £0.71 or US for $1.14, both prices include VAT.
I'm writing a series Jo, Shemale Goddess! which is inspired by Camilla. Read the first The Last Reunion on my website.
Click here to see the movie. I had to change the link because the movie was deleted from xHamster. This version isn't as good, but still well worth watching.
You may also like my Kindle short story, Naughty Professor. Buy it on Amazon UK for £0.71 or US for $1.14, both prices include VAT.
March 2, 2011
KINDLE SALES
I seem to be reaching more readers now that I've published my books on Kindle. I'm not sure if it's an indication that Kindle is being used more widely than I'd imagined, or if readers are simply more willing to buy an eBook for $2.99 rather than a paperback for $9.99.
In terms of royalties there is not a huge difference between a Kindle sale and a paperback sale for me as a writer. Printing and distribution costs pretty much make up the bulk of the price of my books. And by buying books for Kindle instead of paperbacks readers are helping the planet. I'll have to see how things go, but I may decide in the future to publish Kindle books only. Although, I'm still trying to get used to my Kindle. It's fine for when I'm out and about, but when I'm indoors I still like to curl up in bed or a chair with a paperback or hardcover book.
In terms of royalties there is not a huge difference between a Kindle sale and a paperback sale for me as a writer. Printing and distribution costs pretty much make up the bulk of the price of my books. And by buying books for Kindle instead of paperbacks readers are helping the planet. I'll have to see how things go, but I may decide in the future to publish Kindle books only. Although, I'm still trying to get used to my Kindle. It's fine for when I'm out and about, but when I'm indoors I still like to curl up in bed or a chair with a paperback or hardcover book.
