I can't find Linda Orlando (she originally posted this as a course on Suite101). The link with her name comes up broken, 404. I think I talked to her once, when she was starting the topic there. At the time I was in flux with Suite101, either leaving or thinking of returning. In the end I left it behind. I might have talked to Linda more if I had stayed. But... that's how it goes. I don't have permission to post this, but it was a freely given erotica writing course on the site. I'd like to see the content kept available.

All my original content written for Suite101 has disappeared into some mysterious abyss and I never made a cent for any of it. Not getting paid bothers me less than the fact that everything I wrote is gone. I seem to be silly about keeping a copy of what I write. I don't start keeping copies until it's all about to disappear, if I get the early warning. That doesn't always happen. Beware ye writers!

I don't know when the formatting was lost.

Writing Erotica By Linda Orlando Introduction Welcome to the world of erotica. Come on in, if you dare. Your mother will never know. Together, we will examine the various types of erotica available today, distinguish between erotica and pornography, and explore the many markets that are out there for beginners and pros alike. In order to be a successful writer of erotica, there are barriers to overcome, and skills and abilities that are necessary. The first barrier that many writers have to overcome is the embarrassment and difficulty many have with admitting that they write erotica. To write erotica, you must be comfortable with sexual terminology and sexuality---especially your own. It may be awhile before you are comfortable telling your mother, or your best friend, for example. But you should be okay with what you are doing. Otherwise, your story will not be sensual and arousing to your reader, but rather will appear forced and awkward. Resources that will be of help to you and will be cited in the lessons for this course will include: a thesaurus of erotic terminology, books of erotica by contemporary authors, as well as books that will provide additional tips and techniques for writing erotica and getting published. These resources will help you develop as a writer as well as provide tips for submission to the many markets out there. Realize that you must have real writing skills, that you cannot submit stories filled with typos and grammatical errors. And, for a story to be truly sensual and erotic, both word choice and characterization are important. Examples of published writers of erotica are: Nancy Friday, Erica Jong, Caleb Knight, Lonnie Barbach, R.J. Masters, and many, many others. Some of these writers are more well-known than others, but they share a common characteristic: they are all published. Remember, the markets are out there for talented writers, whether they have been previously published or not. You just have to write well and believe in yourself. This course will help you with the first of these requirements. The internet has provided many paying opportunities. Also, videos and the print market (books and magazines) are still very much open to new writers. In the last lesson of this course, we will explore some of the markets available to you. What better way to make money than to sit back, relax, and think about sex. So come on in and let's get started on the path to becoming a published writer of erotic fiction. Lesson 1: What is Erotica? In this lesson we will look at the difference between pornography and erotica, explore how word choices create sensual, erotic images in the mind of the reader, and examine what terminology should be used to name or describe body parts and sexual acts. In addition, resources will be provided that will help the novice, or make the pro think. Erotica vs. Pornography What is erotica? What is the difference between erotica and pornography? These are a couple of the questions that will be answered in this section of our lesson. In addition, we will look at word choices that could best convey the sensual, sexual scene you have in mind. Erotica may be thought of as a literary or pictorial portrayal that arouses or sexually stimulates using soft, sensual imagery. Examples of erotica may include the material found in Playgirl's "Reader's Forum", classic novels like Jong's Fear of Flying, D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterly's Lover, or contemporary stories like those written by Caleb Knight, RJ Masters, or Lonnie Barbach. Erotica is stimulating fiction that is often included with equally-stimulating pictures. Erotica includes foreplay, intimacy, and a mutually-satisfying experience. It serves to gradually arouse the reader, giving the reader the sensation of almost "being there". Pornography, on the other hand, is considered to be far more "hard core", more of the "wham-bam thank you ma'am" scenario. Pornographic material is more controversial, more likely to be sold in specialty adult bookstores, or in sealed plastic at the newsstand. The primary difference between erotica and real pornography is that pornography has little or no socially redeeming characteristics and is intended to arouse the prurient interests of its readers. Pornography is generally less art and more degrading. The following is an example of erotica published in Playgirl's "Readers' Fantasy Forum": "I had never seen identical twins up close and it was an amazing sight, to watch them locked in such a fierce competition. Their biceps bulged and their trunk-like thighs were interwined in their struggle to beat one another. I couldn't take my eyes off them, these two examples of masculine perfection, wrestling closer and closer to where I sat. My breathing grew heavy as their animal-like display of aggression and maleness fueled my desire, drawing me into their primitive ritual. I wanted them, needed their untamed energy and excitement, and I knew I couldn't leave the park that afternoon without having them." Pornography would not bother with the descriptions, the sensual image that is created for the reader in the above paragraph. Using the above example, a pornographic story would start with the two men approaching the woman and the initiation of the sex scene. Her perceptions, sensibilities, would not be included. Keep in mind, however, that people's perception of what is erotic and what is pornographic is relatively subjective and very political. Approach any discussions of pornography and censorship with an open mind. Be willing to listen to the views of others, even though you may not agree with them. In fact, erotica versus pornography would probably be a good topic for discussion, at this point in this course. YOUR TURN, Your assignment is not difficult. Go to your local library or bookstore and locate some erotic material to study (yes, I said STUDY). If you are not a reader of erotica, are not familiar with the established authors in this genre, it will be difficult for you to write material that is publishable. I suggest that you begin with something soft core, like Playgirl, if you are not already a reader of erotica, then advance to more hard core material. Take some notes on the various authors, their style, word choice, and whether each is hard core or soft core. Choosing Sensual Words Now that we have established what erotica is and is not, we must look at how we convey the images that are sexually stimulating to the readers. One of the most important ways of conveying erotic images is through the choice of sexy, stimulating words, and these words are generally not clinical, anatomical terminology. Phrases that paint an erotic picture include the following: His touched awakened feelings she had suppressed for so long. Her hands blazed a trail down over his bare chest. His brooding eyes were so intense... The swelling bulge in the front of his faded Levi's left nothing to the imagination. His damp hair was pasted to his forehead, as the beads of perspiration formed on his brow. Her tongue slipped between his lips and danced around his. Her low-cut blouse exposed the mounds of soft female flesh. She groaned as the waves of pleasure swept through her. Her husky voice aroused him, even before he got a glimpse of her soft, feminine curves. His tumescent tool jutted from his groin in all its youthful splendor. YOUR TURN Use the following words to create erotica images of your own, just like the examples above: Coarse Decadent Furtive Hunger Innocent Lubricate Mesmerized Organ Pacify Scorching Secluded Shuddered Strip Tantalize Tempt Throbbing Whisper Writhe Yearn YOUR TURN Try a very short story, approximately one page in length. Use the words above or the phrases you have already created. Put your characters in the park, on a beach, or in a motel room. But, remember that the object of this assignment is to learn to produce a sensual, erotic image in the minds of your readers. Don't get too stressed about making the setting or the characters perfect. We will cover this in more detail in a later lesson. This assignment is about painting a sensual picture in the minds of your readers. Naming Body Parts and Sexual Acts As indicated in the previous section of this lesson, choosing the correct word generally does not mean using the clinical term. Your character should determine how specific to be in naming body parts or sexual acts. Terminology may be technical like intercourse, coitus, penis, vagina, etc., or may be slang like getting-it-on, getting laid, box, or pussy. So you must know your character well, know what words he or she would choose. If your character is a naïve young woman, she probably would not use either the clinical nor the "dirty" word for body parts or sexual acts. She probably would use "cute" or "childish" terminology. On the other hand, if you were depicting a very experienced twenty-something woman, you probably would use slang, "street" terms for body parts and sex acts. Again, your character dictates what words you use to set the scene and convey the image. You should note, however, that different publishers expect different terminology. While "manhood", "maleness", or "hardness" may be accepted by some publishers, others will expect more specific terminology, specifically may only accept material where the point-of-view character is "talking dirty". So, it's up to you, and the market you are targeting with your work, to determine what terminology is acceptable (or expected). If you are having difficulty coming up with the "right" word or need some help with some creative terminology, you should definitely refer to The Bald-Headed Hermit and the Artichoke: An Erotic Thesaurus, by Allan D. Peterkin and available through Barnes and Noble (www.bn.com) YOUR TURN Again, you cannot read enough erotica. You have to see how other writers do it, get a feel for what is acceptable in the market, then develop your own style. If you are interested in writing erotica for women, I recommend that you read Pleasures: Women Writing Erotica by Lonnie Barbach, PhD. If you are interested in writing erotica for gay men, I suggest that you read Provincetown Tales by Caleb Knight or Pleasures of the Flesh: A New Collection of Erotic Tales. All of these books are anthologies of stories by several writers, so will present you with many different writing styles. Once you have finished reading, write a short paragraph using clinical terminology for both body parts and sex acts. Refer to Peterkins' thesaurus, then re-write the same paragraph using language that might be considered "talking dirty". Lesson 2: More Than Just Sex?? In this lesson, we will look at how characterization and plot factor into your erotic story. While the sexual act and sensual imagery are the primary focus of erotica, for most publishers, there must be strong characters and a plot that has a beginning, middle and end. Then we will look at examples of erotica used in contemporary romance novels and practice writing an erotic scene for a publisher of romantic fiction. Sex in Romance Novels Most romantic novels published today have some erotic content. Sexual tension builds up between the heroine and her prince charming as the novel progresses. They share the long, passionate kiss, have a few close encounters, before their attraction culminates in a final shared sexual experience. The choice of the right words, the creation of any erotic image is especially important in romantic fiction. "Dirty" words and use of clinical terminology rarely appear in purely romantic fiction. The lingering touch, the intense gaze, the hint of sexual arousal, and subtle innuendos are the staples of the sensual erotic fiction in the romance genre. The passage below is taken from my romantic suspense novel, Guesthouse , published by Awe-Struck Books in February 2000: "This time she was prepared when his mouth captured hers. She parted her lips, allowing his tongue to invade her moist, warm mouth. She could feel his heart pounding, as his chest pressed against hers, nearly in time to the powerful throbbing between her thighs. His hand slipped under her t-shirt, lightly caressing her heaving breasts. The sensation of his hand on her bare skin was nearly more than she could bear. A low moan escaped from deep down inside her as his lips blazed a trail down her neck. His strong arms captured her, pulling her on top of him. She straddled his waist, feeling his hardness crushing against her. Her body responded to his touch, hungry for more. It had been so long since a man had held her, had been one with her. She wanted Daniel, never wanted this moment to end. But she was afraid. It was all happening too fast, and he was definitely in control of the situation. Her entire body was on fire with desperate desire. All the reason why she shouldn't be doing this flashed through her mind. They had just met. He was her patient. They were both lonely, had been betrayed by someone they loved. Daniel's hands, his gentle touch did wonderful things to her. But she knew what was happening between them was wrong. She had never given in, no matter how her body had cried out for pleasure. Mark had been her first and only lover---and that had not been until after they were engaged. But this was somehow different---felt so good, so right. Despite their differences, they were drawn to each other like powerful magnets. Lauren wanted nothing more than to make love with Daniel. She could feel her resolve slipping away. Her body, her primitive animal lust was more powerful than her rational mind.... She was ready to make love with Daniel, to give herself to him, when he suddenly pulled away from her. He pushed her aside as though she was an insignificant object and hoisted himself from the sofa into his wheelchair. Without saying a word, he headed toward the door. Lauren could not fund the words, could not understand his unexpected retreat."(p. 59) YOUR TURN Using the example above, create your own erotic scene that would be acceptable for publication by a non-erotic publisher. Note that in soft core erotica, the pace of the action is very important. Your characters are usually not having a "quickie". Rather, you must choose words that slowly build the sexual tension, paint the sensual picture for your readers. If you are having difficulty with this exercise, refer back to the words and phrases created in Lesson 1. Characters in Erotic Fiction This course will not get into character development as a step-by-step process. If you need additional information or practice in developing compelling characters, you should enroll in Character Development 101, also through Suite University. In this course we will focus solely on your character's perceptions and behaviors as it related to the erotic experience you are creating. You should reveal your character's thoughts, feelings, and insecurities, let your readers learn more about him or her as the sexual encounter progresses. But remember, the primary fact your readers are interested in and need to know about your character is that he or she is sexually frustrated, is looking to get some, and has not been successful. As stated before in the previous lesson, your character's background and experience determine the choice of words. But an even more important factor in your characterization is whether or not the character is someone the reader can relate to or root for. And don't forget that your character's behavior must be consistent, unless you have explained why he or she might behave differently in the scenario you have created. Following is another passage from Guesthouse: "Lauren wrapped her arms around Daniel's neck and sat down on his lap. She pressed her lips to his, letting her tongue claim his mouth. His arms circled her, his hands caressing her curves. "I want to make love to you, Dannie. Please don't push me away," she whispered. Lauren could feel his hesitation. He didn't speak, then let his hand slip under her blouse. She squirmed in his lap, as he pushed her blouse off over her head, then unfastened the hook on her lacy bra, freeing her full breasts from the restricting harness. He buried his face against her soft, fleshy breasts, kissing and caressing her bare skin. She unbuttoned his shirt, letting her hand stroke his fur-covered chest. A low moan escaped from deep down inside him, as her hand dropped lower. She stroked his hardness, teasinghim as he was teasing her. She became bolder with each passing second, tugging at his button-fly until she could slip her hand inside his jeans. It was a wonderful sensation, his smooth, hard flesh in her hand, throbbing hot and needy. Then his hand crept lower, easing its way beneath her jeans. It had been so long since anyone had touched her there. His fingers were exploring places that had been off limits to anyone but Mark. His touch was sure, but gentle, teasing---causing sensation after sensation to sweep through her body. Lauren felt the heat speading slowly from between her thighs. She could not hold back, could not stop it. In seconds, she was consumed by the raging fire. Her body had responded to Daniel's insistent touch. She stroked and teased the smooth, hard prisoner, letting her thumb and finger tickle his most sensitive flesh. Daniel's breathing was loud and ragged in the silence of the nearly-empty house. Lauren knew he was coming close to release, could not deny his need much longer. She pulled away from him, and crawled onto the bed. He watched, not taking his eyes off her as she shed her jeans and peeled her panties from her sexy body. Again he hesitated. Lauren could see the fear, the uncertainty in his eyes. She knew he was struggling with his demons, the same ones that held him captive in that chair. "Please Daniel," she pleaded. "It's just...I haven't...," he whispered. "I know. But it's going to be all right, trust me. I love you, Daniel." He looked at her and sighed, then lifted himself from the chair and onto the bed. She helped him strip off his jeans and briefs, so that he was as naked as she. He was as perfect as she had imagined. She could no longer contain her own desperate need. In an instant she had taken possession of his maleness, had become one with him. She looked down at his handsome face. His eyes were closed, as she began to make love to him. It was the first step had ever really made love to a man. Mark had been so rigid, always insisting that he be in control. This experience was totally new to Lauren---and she was enjoying it. She was on top, had chosen to be here, to be an active participant in this experience. She was not ashamed or embarrassed. She was doing what she wanted to do, perhaps for the first time in her life."(p. 172-173) YOUR TURN After reading the passage from Guesthouse, write down what you now know about the characters, Lauren and Daniel. What information is provided about their pasts, about their previous experiences, and how they are reacting to each other in this scene? Once you have done this, look back at the erotic scene you created in the previous exercise. Are there details you can add that will make your characters more real to your readers? Keep in mind that what you are creating right now is a very soft core piece of erotic fiction. In hard core fiction, these details would not be necessary. Plots and Erotic Fiction Even erotica needs to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. You are telling a story to your readers, through narrative, action, introspection, and dialogue. In the standard plot, your characters meet and initiate the sexual encounter in the beginning of your story. In the middle of your story, your characters are engaged in the act itself. The middle of your story culminates in the climax (literally). The end of the story tells how your characters process their relationship, what happens after sex, basically how the encounter ends. Now, the length of each section of your plot depends on what medium you are writing for. If you are writing an erotic letter, you only have about 750 words for your entire story. Therefore, you should get down to business within the first few lines of your letter. If you are writing a short story (approximately 2000 words) most editors want you to get to the "hot" stuff by the end of page two. An example of the beginning of an erotic letter would be as follows: Beginning: I watched the cute little co-ed in her short skirt and tank top, climb into the restored '65 Mustang, then followed her off campus. Human nature being what it is, I knew she could not resist the urge to give it good run down the interstate. Sure enough, she hit seventy as soon as she cleared the ramp. I gave it a couple of minutes, not wanting to spoil all of her fun, before I switched on the blue lights. She was nearly in tears as I walked up beside her car. "Officer, I've never had a ticket. Please, couldn't you just let me off with a warning?" I looked down into the car, checking out her bare thighs, then peeking down her top at the pert little breasts barely concealed beneath the pale blue fabric. "Well, maybe we could work something out," I suggested, my eyes meeting hers as I licked my lips. The middle of an erotic letter would be like the following passage: Middle: She was eager to comply, climbing into the passenger side of my cruiser. I had just radioed in my location, when her hand crept up my thigh. She tugged at my zipper, freeing my throbbing...[edited]... from my stiff uniform. She stroked the oversized tool, her thumb lightly caressing the rim... Finally, the end of your erotic letter would close the scene, sometimes hinting that there will be a "next time". End: "Yes, Sir," she assured. She smiled again and peeled off her cotton panties, showing that she understood exactly what I meant. She handed them to me, as she positioned herself in the passenger seat of the cruiser, her thighs spread slightly, and fastened her seat belt. Her skirt was inched up nearly to her waist, so that I could see...I wasn't sure I could wait until tomorrow _{not unless I took a very cold shower. YOUR TURN Practice writing an erotic letter of approximately 750 words. Remember that the letters submitted to most "men's" magazines need to be more graphic than the image you created in the previous lessons. You will be "talking dirty", confession style. Note that I have not included any "dirty" wordsin my samples because these lessons are targeting a general audience. I have set the scene, implied what took place, and "edited" out any words that may have been too graphic for this venue. Use your imagination to fill in the blanks. Lesson 3: Successful Writers of Erotica In this lesson, we will first look at the differences between erotica written for women and erotica written for men. Then you will be introduced to several successful contemporary writers of erotica like Caleb Knight and R.J. Masters. Join us as we look at excerpts from their work and see how they became published authors. Sex: Heterosexual Erotica Heterosexual stories may be geared to either a male or a female audience. The difference between the two is that male erotica tends to be more hard core, usingmore graphic descriptions of both body parts and the sexual acts taking place. In male erotica, you give only a cursory description of the characters and focus more specifically on the sex act itself. Female erotica tends to place more emphasis on the building of sexual tension, the creation of erotic imagery---the physical description, the lingering touch. Use of the erotic words discussed in Lesson 1, is much more important in female erotica. For Men "Doug's hands were insistent, his kiss hungry and demanding. His tongue pushed into my mouth, teasing and tasting, while he unbuttoned my blouse. His hands caressed my bare breasts, gently massaging around the stiff pink peaks. His fingers gently pinched and tweaked my nipples, tugging and rolling them, and causing jolts of pleasure to shoot directly to the heated area between my thighs....He pushed my skirt up, so that only my panties kept him from making direct contact with my warm, moist flesh." Notice that the above sample does not have any "introductory" description or "warm-up". The story begins with graphic action. For Women "The muscles in his young, shirtless body tensed each time he lifted a shovel rounded with dirt. The beads of perspiration glistened across his broad back. His denim cutoffs were stretched taut across his firm, rounded buns. I could not look away. I was mesmerized by his sculpted beauty. I waited, holding my breath in anticipation. He turned slowly, giving me the first glimpse of his handsome face, a layer of razor-stubble darkening his rugged jawline. The thick fur on his muscular pecs and washboard belly was matted against his tanned skin. My eyes moved lower, following the dark trail of matted hairs. I eagerly devoured the outline of his youthful maleness, asit pushed against the stiff denim. Note that not ALL women prefer soft core fiction and not ALL men prefer graphic fiction. You just need to be aware of the difference in markets. "Most" men's magazines are more graphic than women's magazines. Gay Male Erotica The gay male erotic fiction market is one of the largest, most novice-friendly of all of the markets out there. Both men and women can break into this market that has venues both on the internet and in print (magazines and books). Opportunities abound if you are open-minded and let your creative juices flow. Examples of gay male erotic fiction writers include Caleb Knight and R.J. Masters. Following is a passage from Masters' "Hooked". "I was stunned by the sensations of intense pleasure that were overtaking my body as Eric's lips pressed against mine with a hunger}an urgency I had never experienced. No woman had ever kissed me with such enthusiasm, such animal lust. He kissed the way I kissed: aggressively with a desperate need for more. I was surprised when the familiar tingle swept through my groin, causing my [edited] to stir and swell in the front of my 501's. I had never expected to become aroused by the kiss of another man, yet here I was slowly surrendering to him. One minute we had been leaning against the side of the car, just chatting. The fishing had been so lousy at the lake, that Eric and I had given up and decided to head back home. But then we got to talking about life, and everything that goes with it. The next thing I knew, my back was being crushed against the door, while Eric's lips clamped over mine. His tongue repeatedly slithered into my partially open mouth, exploring, probing every corner of my being. Our tongues danced around each other, licking and tasting, as his arms wrapped around my waist and pulled our bodies close..." YOUR TURN Practice writing the beginning of a short story (finished story will be approximately 2000 words) of gay male erotica. Remember that you should be into the "hot" stuff before you have used up your first 750 words. Masters, R.J. "Hooked". Pleasures of the Flesh: A New Collection of Erotic Tales. Edited by John Patrick. Sarasota, FL: StarBooks Press. 1999. Erotica for Women: Lesbian Erotica The lesbian erotica market is thriving as well. Keep in mind as you write, however, that both men and women read this type of erotica. Depending on whether you intend to submit to one of the male venues, or to a traditionally lesbian venue, will determine how hard-core your fiction is. Most erotic fiction written for women, whether for heterosexual or lesbian markets, is more "soft core" than the erotica written for men. Tailor your stories to the markets you intend to approach. The following passage is from Early Embraces II, a lesbian anthology: "I looked toward Jaime. She had pushed her covers off, and her baby doll nightgown was twisted around her slender body. One of her round breasts peeked seductively from beneath the blue nylon fabric. The nipple was hard and pointed in my direction. I imagined what it might be like to caress her smooth, pale skin, and tug on the stiff, pebble-like bud. There was a familiar tingle between my thighs I could not ignore. I reached down and caressed my own smaller, firmer breast...."(p. 124) YOUR TURN Practice writing the opening scene of a lesbian erotic fiction story. These stories normally run 2000 words as well. Choose your words carefully, keeping in mind that the tension builds with a slower pace. Robbins, Ashley. "Away from Home". Early Embraces II. Edited by Lindsey Elder. Los Angeles, CA: Alyson Books.1999. Lesson 4: Erotica Markets This lesson will begin with the prospect of getting published, will look at the different internet and print markets for erotica, and will culminate in the submission process for various venues. The final section of this lesson will require the participant to target a specific market and put together a submission packet. Exploring Markets There are many paying markets out there for well-written (that means no mechanical errors, too) erotica manuscripts of various lengths. There are "letter" markets, short story markets, and book-length markets. These markets include print markets (magazines and books), as well as the online venues (websites and e-zines), Again, its very important to study the website or magazine you want to write for, in order for your manuscript to have the best chance for acceptance and publication. Some publishers accept only literary, soft core fiction, while others accept only graphic, hard core fiction. Magazines Magazines that are almost always seeking and accepting erotica, from both novice and professionals alike, include: Hard core: Hustler, Hustler Fantasies, Penthouse Variations, and Promethius, Soft core: Gallery Magazine, Playgirl Fantasy Forum. Links to these magazines' websites, and several more, may be accessed at www.erotica-writers.com. Book Publishers Book publishers of erotica include: Star Books Press, specializing in gay male erotica, Alyson Publication, specializing in alternative lifestyle erotica, and Black Lace, which specializes in erotica for women. Visit the publisher websites to view calls for submissions and submission guidelines. Websites and E-Zines Paying websites that publish erotica include: www.hipsandcurves.com (soft core erotic fiction featuring full figured women), www.asexystory.com (plot and character development are very important in this venue), www.literoticaffeine.com (specializing in literary erotic fiction), and www.literotica.com. Submission Guidelines 1.Write first, then look for a market. You have to write what you enjoy writing. If you try to force your writing to fit a particular market, it may seem labored or contrived. 2.Go to your local bookstore and browse. Become familiar with the markets that are out there, then zero in on the ones you feel would potentially be interested in your piece. 3.Read the submissions guidelines. It's VERY IMPORTANT to follow directions. 4.Address your letter to the appropriate person and be sure to SPELL THE NAME CORRECTLY. 5.Write a query letter or letter of submission. Most often with short fiction, you should write a good letter of submission. Query letters are used most often with non-fiction and longer-length manuscripts, i.e., novellas and novels. 6.The synopsis is usually submitted with the query letter in accordance with submission guidelines. The synopsis is written as an enticing summary of your novella or novel. IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE OTHER MARKETS, YOU SHOULD OBTAIN A COPY OF WRITER'S DIGEST'S WRITER'S MARKET. SAMPLE LETTERS Submission Letter January 1, 200X Mr. George Jones EROTIC EXPRESS 222 XYZ Street NY, NY 10000 Dear Mr. Jones: I am an avid reader of your magazine, EROTIC EXPRESS. I have enjoyed every issue, especially the short erotic fiction. I am enclosing a short story, titled One Hot Night, for your review and consideration. This story is written according to the guidelines published on your website. [If you have writing experience, include it here.] I have been writing erotic fiction for ZZZ Publications since 1996, including short fiction like the pieces published in your magazine. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Mary Berry Query Letters January 1, 200X Mr. George Jones EXCELLENT BOOKS 222 XYZ Street NY, NY 10000 Dear Mr. Jones: Enclosed is a synopsis of my erotic 40,000 word novel, titled One Hot Night. The story revolves around Tiffany Jameson, a private investigator, who is hired to protect wealthy, handsome Tom Anderson. Their love-hate relationship makes it difficult for both of them, as Tiffany struggles to solve the mystery that surrounds Tom and his dot.com company. Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Mary Berry Submitting Your Work to a Publisher ON YOUR OWN 1.Your assignment this time is to begin to prepare a manuscript for submission. Begin by taking a trip to your local bookstore or let your fingers do the walking through the latest edition of Writer's Market. 2.Check your manuscript in relation to the publisher's guidelines. Be sure you have respected the publisher's length requirement and note the preferred method of submission (email, snail mail hard copy or disk). 3.Now that you know who you are submitting to, sit down and write a letter of submission. Refer back to the sample letter provided in the previous section. Make sure this letter is well-polished and error-free. Keep in mind you only have one opportunity to make a good first impression. 4.Prepare your manuscript according to the following general guidelines (unless the publisher has specified a different format): a.Use 20 lb. paper, NO onion skin b.Print only on one side of the paper c.Double-space your manuscript d.Number your pages e.Do not staple or otherwise bind larger manuscripts. Most publishers prefer to have book-length manuscripts bound with rubber bands and boxed. f.Do not send manuscripts with errors, scratchouts, etc. g.Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. GOOD LUCK!