To Be Erotic or Not to Be

D. Renee Bagby here and I have a dilemma.

I'm not a fan of explicit language. I don't like reading it. In fact, I usually skim those parts of the book featuring explicit language so I can get back to the story. I definitely don't like using explicit language in my writing. I'm a euphemisms/allusions type of girl. The books I "grew up" with all used allusions and euphemisms. Those are the books that taught me how to write.

Here's the dilemma though -- I like writing menage. There's something about tossing in a third (or fourth or fifth) person into the relationship (and bedroom) that makes it more fun. It makes it more interesting to write too. Suddenly pronouns get tossed out of the window because the reader would too easily become lost on which person is speaking if all parties of the menage are present for a scene.

Having a menage also means being able to explore two types of heroes with the same heroine. I don't have to choose if she likes the brooding type or the joker type. I can give her both and then watch the two bounce off of each other as they interact with her.

BUT, it's the "interaction" with the heroine that gets me in trouble. Readers picking up a menage expect to see explicit language, right? I know there are review sites (and publishers) that specifically state in their submissions that the menages coming their way have to have explicit language sex scenes that are graphic and will set the pages on fire if spontaneous combustion due to word choice were possible.

My first menage published with Siren Publishing uses euphemisms. Despite that, my editor gave me a Sizzling rating for my sex scenes. Siren-Bookstrand has five ratings for sex -- Sensual, Steamy, Sizzling, Scorching, and Sextreme. Sizzling is the middle, as you can see. Siren Publishing also made a point of stamping "Mainstream" on my cover and warning readers that my title "Contains no explicit sexual language."

That's smart since I don't want people to get upset with my book simply because I omitted the use of c*ck and p*ssy and all of their brethern. If I had omitted one of my heroes, I would have had a mainstream romance instead of erotic.

So, what makes a book erotic? Is it the dynamic of the relationship or the language used when describing sex? My friend (an erotic author) insists it is the relationship and not the language. As I mentioned before, there are some review sites and publishers who would disagree with her.

In a contest situation, do I submit as erotic and hope I don't lose points for not using explicit language? Or do I submit as mainstream and hope I don't lose points for having a heroine with two heroes? OR, do I skip the contests all together simply because I'm screwed either way?

You be the judge:

Eris by D. Renee Bagby

Categories: Erotic Romance, Interracial, Menage a Trois/Quatre, Time Travel
Word Count: 160,003
Heat Level: SIZZLING
Published By: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc.

Price: $6.99

[Ménage Amour: Mainstream Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, Interracial, Time Travel]

Immortals born in the thirteenth century, Lucien Riordan and Ranulf Styr have waited centuries to be reunited with their love. Want for her cemented their friendship through time, even as it tore it apart. She changed their lives, made them want better, and they plan to show her that. There's only one catch--she's never met them before.

Eris Brue is flattered by Lucien and Ranulf's attention, but they are her bosses. She doesn't want to get tangled up in an office romance, especially not with two men. Their joint seduction overcomes her resolve, and she gives in even though she knows they are keeping secrets that could doom their relationship.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Note: Contains no explicit sexual language. Contains physical violence against the heroine.

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Siren Publishing
Also available in Kindle