Are IR Readers Ready For This? My Big New Series I'm Starting!

[Stacy-Deanne]

Hi All,

I've been telling everyone about this because I am so excited. Since we all always harp on not having enough that's different in IR, well are you guys ready for what I am getting ready to create? LOL!

Here it is! I am going to start a SUPER HERO series. Oh yes! It's gonna include some IR of course (probably multiple IR romances). But the greatest thing is that I am further pushing the limit in IR. My main goal is to write IR books (especially) that bring new ideas to this fabulous genre.

I haven't started it yet but I will soon. I plan to draw it out as a series and I hope readers will support it. Everyone says it sounds exciting and I can't wait to write it. Can you imagine? Some hot IR romance mixed in with some super hero action? There's gonna be action, adventure, passion and even some humor.

I wanted to see what you guys think of this idea. You think IR fans especially will support it? Either way, I'm gonna do it. So excited.

Best Wishes!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I love the idea! So long as they are not erotic, I will buy them!

[Reading]

I love the idea also, and also will buy them, but I too do not read erotica

[Stacy-Deanne]

Now you guys know I do not write erotica. LOL!

[postcrdprincess]

That is definitely different! I too would buy it.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I just want to be clear about what I won't buy. I definitely want to support IR writers, but it's just not my thing. :)

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Bring it on, Stacy-Deanne! I loves my spec fic books so I'd definitely be into this. :-)

Speaking generally, I'm into the erotic stuff either. Just to be clear. ;-)

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

I'll read them REGARDLESS of sensuality level. Sex does not make or break a book for me, and though I do enjoy romantica/erotica, it's not always necessary, and sometimes it becomes a total hindrance.

Here's what's great: You're giving me, a picky as all hell reader, something fresh and new and THAT'S what matters most! I've been a fan of Storm of the X-Men ever since I was a little girl, so it's great that someone wants to create a superhero world that's multicultural too.

Bring it on!

[Arch , Mod]

Stacy, you're doing a superhero line. Cool. lol! That's something new.

[Stacy-Deanne]

Wow, thanks you guys! I really appreciate the support!

Best Wishes!

[Stacy-Deanne]

Danielle,

I know exactly what you meant, don't worry. I know you support all IR authors. I do as well. I'll read erotica sometimes myself but I just don't write it.

To expand on what Vix said, I don't mind sex or the level of the heat if it fits the story. I have no problem with sex in books but I don't read a lot of erotica or heavily-descriptive sex books regularly.

Now don't get me wrong, there are some sex or love scenes in some of my books. I write them if they belong there. There is nothing wrong with sex, it's natural but there are different things that make me wanna read it. It needs to be necessary or move the story for me or else I feel like it can be skipped. But if it is a part of the story and the heat level fits, I don't mind it at all.

A lot of books have sex or some love scenes, LOL. But erotica is much different. Erotica calls for a lot of sex and often times it's very graphic. That's just part of what is required in the genre.

Best Wishes!

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

My pref is sweet & sensual romance. I don't mind that and have some on my faves shelf (GP books, for instance). Just the TMI/in your face type of stuff where the body parts become characters of their own becomes a bit comedic for me. The sensual stuff can really work in a story for me though.

Looking forward to your superhero story, Stacy!

[Arch , Mod]

I don't read erotic stories. I don't even care for detailed love scenes either. Detailed as in we see the names of the private parts and they can be a character of their own. I don't like when there's dirty talk either.

I buy my books from the library (99.9%) and garage sales, if they have books for sale. I haven't found a lot of bw/wm books at library sales and my libraries don't carry a lot of them, they would have to get them from another library.

I'm not scared to pay for a book from a store, but I like to read before I buy. I don't believe in wasting my money. Thank goodness for libraries. If they carry a book, I can check it out or if that book is for sale for dirt cheap, I can buy it. If I don't like the book, after reading it, I could give it away.

In the future, if there are a lot of printed books in the stores, I may start buying bw/wm books from the stores, because of the limit from the library.

I'll support interracial authors, if they write what I like to read. I will not support an interracial author, because she writes bw/wm stories. I will never support an interracial author that writes erotic stories.

I'm not trying to be ugly. I don't read those stories period.

I will not also support authors that writes interracial stories, where race is an issue. Yes, some people are against interracial relationships, but not everyone.

[TinaNoir]

Stacy-Deanne-
That sounds really quite interesting and I will be keeping my eyes open for it. I like the idea of a multi-culti superhero romance series. Nice evolutionary leap from paranormal. One of the reasons that Kurst Busiek's graphic novel series Astro City is on my permanent love/must-read. Good luck with it and please keep us posted!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

What you mentioned is exactly why I don't read erotica. I have no problem with sex, I just don't like the way it's depicted in most erotic books that I have read. I am fine with sensual to highly sensual books. I want to read a good story, and the sex should be a part of a higher story, not the story. That's the problem I ran into with erotic romance that I've read. It's not a prejudice thing on my part, it's about what I like. And I support with my pocket and by getting the word out.

Back to the subject, I absolutely love superhero fiction of all types. I am a comic book/movie geek from way back. If I could marry Bruce Wayne/Batman, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I have an idea for my own superhero/villain storyline that I may try to use for my NaNoWriMo story next year, or sooner perhaps.

[Chicki]

Sounds like a fantastic idea, Stacy! Keep us posted on your progress.

Chicki

[Delaney]

Cool idea, Stacy! I'd love to see what you can do with that series. You continue to be a trailblazer. Good for you!

Regarding the comments about erotic romance, I do read them, but like Stacy I don't write them. When I started writing romantic fiction, I thought that was the route I'd have to go because it's so prevalent in the e-books. I couldn't do it, though. It wasn't me, and the words didn't flow naturally.

My stories are sweet or sensual. I use "purple prose" to describe the intimacy between my couples. So far my debut novel has done well, so I'm glad I didn't write something I wasn't comfortable with. My book cracked the top 10 bestsellers list at All Romance Ebooks last week, which was a very exciting way for me to end the year.

I've written a sweet interracial novella, but haven't had luck with it so far. The book has sexual tension, but no sex. I'm going to keep submitting it in the hopes that a publisher will like it. From the comments I've read here, I strongly believe there is a segment of the market that would buy it and enjoy it.

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Delaney, I'm glad you wrote what you are comfortable with and close to your heart. One of my fave IR authors writes sweet and I'm a dedicated fan of hers. She puts her work out independently. Have you thought of going this route? I know there are a few sweet and sensual groups online, including one here on GR that me and Arch are a part of, and you can promote your novella there as well as the blog and yahoo group. I'm sure you will find some readers that route. I'd certainly buy it! :-) Kindle and Smashwords are another way. They may not sell as much as the hardcore stuff but at least it'll be out there circulating for readers who fancy it! :-)

[Stacy-Deanne]

Thanks, guys! You all know I love a challenge and I am ready for this one. I think it's exciting just to step out of a comfort zone and try something I've never done before. I appreciate the support!

[Delaney]

Rae, I have thought of self-publishing, but I don't think I'm ready for that yet. If I did self-publish, I'd go the ebook route. It's in the back of my mind as a possibility. I certainly see more authors going that route.

I checked your group list but couldn't find the sensual romance group you mentioned. Do you mind providing a link?

You're a member of some interesting groups. I joined the blogging group on your list. I saw there's an HP group, but I decided to steer clear of that one. I'd get way too many recommendations and never have time to read anything else (ha!).

Stacy, my sister's an artist and had an idea for a superhero comic a few years ago. The heroine was to be an AA female and her sidekick a Latin male. She never did it, but when I told her about your series, she was excited. That's one book sold already!

http://delaneydiamond.com

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

That'd be a good route. I'm finding success via the ebook indie route myself writing wise and in discovering great reads. It's moving more than print although I wouldn't rule out print since there are a few folks who prefer that to ebook.

Anywho, the sweet and sensual group is actually over at Yahoo here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SweetTo...

The Sweet Romance group is here: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...

Yeah, I think I'm addicted to the groups here! Lol. I don't blame you about the HP group. They're good at suggesting titles so your TBR pile will definitely blow up!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Delaney, I run the Harlequin Presents group. It's a fun place, for those of us, with the HP addiction. But I totally respect if you want to abstain!

[Delaney]

@Rae, the reason I would rather go the e-book route is because of the cost and distribution involved. I'd rather leave that to a publisher. It's encouraging to hear you've had success going the ebook route. Maybe one day I'll take the leap...

Thanks for the group info. I'm already a member of the Clean Romances group. As for the Sweet to Sensual, I'm already a member of too many yahoo groups. I just left one this weekend. It was a little overwhelming. It's easier to keep up with what's going on Goodreads, and I don't get as many emails.

@Danielle, yes I will have to abstain. The first step is admitting you have a problem, right? An alcoholic wouldn't get a job in a bar (well, unless you're Sam Malone from Cheers).

Maybe I'll pop in now and again to see what everyone's reading. I was really proud of myself over the holiday. I had a 99 cent/book coupon code for Harlequin. I ordered 12 books and only 2 of them were HPs. :)

[Stacy-Deanne]

Delaney that is so cool! Thanks for sharing. If I inspire anyone a little bit I am happy!

Best Wishes!

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

No prob, Delaney! I hear ya though, the cost is much easier to handle via ebooks. Much success to you in whatever you do. :-)

(I don't blame you about the yahoo groups, those can grow like rabbits!)

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

I'm going to go off on a tangent again, but I just have to get this off my chest. Can we somehow come up with better classifications for non-erotic romance? Whenever I see or hear readers talk about "sweet" or "clean" romance, it makes me grit my teeth. There's this value judgment attached to it--that nice women only read "sweet" romances and bad women read erotic romances. Now I know no one thinks that (I hope).

How about we just simplify matters by calling romances with minimal to no-sex scenes non-erotic romance and those with more graphic sex scenes erotic romance? That's another HUGE reason that we should all write reviews for the novels we read, so other readers will be able to locate the kinds of books and themes they like.

*Stepping down from soapbox now*

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I don't think that mimimal to no-sex scenes is a good definition for non-erotic romance. Sensual romance is not erotic. Sensual romance uses soft, flowery imagery and language to describe the sex act and body parts. The focus is on emotions, and not on the physical stimulation and imagery of sex. Erotic romance has highly descriptive, graphic imagery, with vocabulary that is carnally stimulatory, and often rough for sexual body parts and acts.

I just want to make it clear that some of us who don't read erotic romance happily read sensual and descriptive sex in romance. It seems as though it's assumed that it's either/or with readers. There is a huge spectrum, and many of us fall in between rather at one end.

I don't like erotic romance or erotica (as you know), but there are times I do want to read a romance with pretty descriptive, although non-graphic sex scenes.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I wanted to also state that erotic romance/erotica includes non-traditional/mainstream sex acts and situations not seen in sensual romance. That is probably one of my major issues with erotica, not so much sex itself, but the kind of sex acts depicted.

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

I agree, Danielle. I like the markers of 'Sweet' 'Sensual' and 'erotic' because then I can easily find what I'm looking for when in the romance section. Erotic and non-erotic does sound like an either/or situation and there's just too much in between that to set those sides up. Like you said, sometimes it's just the fact that sex is in there but the kinds of sex and how far the body parts are described and how.

Not sure where the value judgments supposedly come from (it's just books, reading and preferences), but I personally like "sweet" and "clean" actually because that's a direct marker for the types of romance the subgenre entails and it's a system that's always worked for me for the types of books I look for (same thing with sensual romance). I tend to lean toward books that evoke great emotional love scenes that engages the senses (hence, sensual) rather than just titillating the body (what I consider erotic) and the markers are helpful in that direction. It's also an industry term (like high and contemp fantasy) which says the couples in the books don't go further than kissing or touching and sometimes I just want a sweet traditional romance to read and sometimes I want a romance w/ a love scene with high emotional description.

[Arch , Mod]

lol, I want smoking hot tension! :)

Tension is what draws me to a catcher. And no, I am not talking about sexual tension, because tension doesn't always equal sexual tension. A writer that's good with writing tension, can write a story that doesn't contain any sex scenes and if her story is a catcher and something that I read, I'll read it.

I'm a tension writer and yes, I do write sweet romance stories.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Very true about tension. Good tension between the H/h can be hotter than the actual sex act.

[Arch , Mod]

I agree Danielle.

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Woo hoo! You said it, Arch. Bring on the tension. :-D

[Arch , Mod]

:) @ Rae.

[The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears]

Everyone's brought up some good points; however, one person's sensual is someone else's erotic. It's all rather subjective depending upon one's comfort level. Now, I enjoy romances from across the spectrum and my comfort level is pretty high (LOL). I just think there needs to be an easier way to classify different heat levels (the way a lot of e-pubs do these days) that doesn't sound like there's some sort of morality involved. Granted, having to argue the point on Amazon is why I believe this way. On the tension angle, I agree!

[Arch , Mod]

I can't speak for anyone else, but myself. When I write reviews, I tend to state what kind of love scenes are in the book.

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

I appreciate that about your reviews, Arch. :-)

[Arch , Mod]

Thanks Rae.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

I think that's a good idea. I appreciate when readers do it. I will give content warnings if the books are past a certain sexual content level.

[TinaNoir]

I tend to agree with Vixenne. I don't tend to use 'Clean' or 'Sweet'. For me, those terms have less to do with sexual content than they do with character/plot/tone. I just read an erotica that was actually one of the sweetest romances I've read in a long time.

Generally, if a book has light or negligible sexual content, I tend to simply not mention sex as part of the review at all.

It is only when the language is graphic, the sex is explicit or some of the sexual content may include themes that some readers may feel uncomfortable reading about that I actually include that as a caveat in my reviews.

One of my goals this year is to continue what I started last year by giving more thorough reviews for the IRs I read. I notice they tend to be heavy on the ratings but light on the reviews.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Tina, I appreciate when the IR books are reviewed. I've found yours and Rae's very helpful, along with a few others in the IRR community on GRs who do write reviews.

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Tina, I look forward to your reviews. I notice you are correct that IRs don't have as many reviews. That's why I appreciate it when I see yours, Danielle's and Arch's and try to give ones to I've read to help any other readers out there.

[Pygmy]

Interracial SUPERHEROES?? LOVE!! Will an Asian feature in there too, eventually? *hopes*

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors]

Me too, Pygmy!

[CaliGirlRae, Mod Squad]

Me three, hehe. :-D