No, you’re not seeing things. I amended the title of my latest release. It was originally Crossdressed for my Stepdad, but as the story developed, the main character was crying out for more than one partner. As a considerate author, I obliged, and as a naughty, sexy person, so too did my primary character.
Crossdressed and Curious is now available on Amazon and, of course, Kindle Unlimited.
I promised you, my faithful readers, that I’d report on my two new strategies, which, to remind you, were taglines and using Pinterest.
As an author who doesn’t use paid advertising, I was keen to see if using taglines on my covers would create more interest in my titles. Judging from the sales figures and interest in my brand over the past two months, I’d say taglines work.
On the subject of Pinterest, there are those who say it is more effective than other, regular social media used by authors. Yes, it may be more effective in that the graphics, and therefore the titles, are on view for longer without requiring adjustments or updates. It is, however, similar to other social media platforms in the respect that it requires continual engagement.
For several weeks, I posted book covers and titles, offering excerpts from my books, and during that period, I saw views increase dramatically. However, it would be foolhardy to suggest that the idea generated substantial interest in my brand. For now, I’m leaving my pages there as they are, and perhaps when I publish a new title, I’ll post the cover and an excerpt to maintain interest.
I already use two design programmes to create my covers, and I’m not prepared to spend money or time on making my presence on Pinterest any fancier. Conversely, this is not because I’m not prepared to part with money for advertising, it’s because I don’t write to make money. My primary reason for producing my work is that I love writing erotica and entertaining readers.
Feminised by my Boss, and New Tricks are now vying for my attention, so one of them will be published in November.
Until next time, thank you for being there. Remember, if you ever want to leave a comment, you can use the box below or visit the Contacts page. I will respond if you’d like me to, and anything we say will, of course, remain between us.
I have two special announcements for you, my lovely readers and followers.
First and foremost, Opportunities is now available on Amazon. This is a novella, and as always, I’ve worked hard to create a complete and enjoyable story.
Opportunities is a tale of discovery in more ways than one and features all the usual ingredients you’ve come to expect from me, like crossdressing, transformation, feminisation and, of course, explicit sexual adventures.
As any visitor to my website will have recognised, I maintain a variety of Work in Progress. The order that those next titles appear in the sidebar is not necessarily the order that they’ll be published.
Why have so many new ideas to choose from and work on?
When I started writing it was suggested by a seasoned author that I ought to always have at least two story ideas on hand, but as time has passed, I’ve jotted down notes as new ideas come to mind. My usual practice is to create a cover and a blurb to instill a desire to work on the story.
I aim to produce the first draft of the first chapter rapidly so that my readers can see how the tale opens. I’m pleased to report that I have seven Work in Progress, and all of them have their first chapter available.
Which title will be next, and when will it be published?
Novella
At the present time, I’m drawn towards Paying the Price, and my target publication date is mid-February 2024.
This story has had three working titles, but having seen how the tale is developing, I believe it’s now accurately named. Once again, it will be a novella.
Until next time, thank you for being there, and remember, if you ever want to leave a comment, you can use the box, or the Contact page.
Like any author, even as we approach Christmas I feel the need … well, apart from the obvious one, I feel the need to do a promotion, so three books will be offered at 99p/99c for five days.
What can you expect to find in the three books above?
To save me writing it all out here, if you look at the big bundle of categories on the left you’ll see the general spread of the subject matter. Each story is different, of course, but they all have the joys of sex being performed in a variety of situations.
I’m presently wondering whether to continue because the sales show an interest in my writing, but without reviews from readers, it leaves an author like me unaware of where my strengths or weaknesses lie. It might all stop with a ‘dirty dozen’ novels and one book of shorts.
I’ll produce a post in January 2021 to put my thoughts out there and to give an insight into what might be my final story, Fantasy to Reality.
In the meantime, thank you to my regular readers for your support.
My interview with erotica author, Katya Cumming, has been promised for some time, so with great pleasure, I’d like to introduce you to the new girl on the (writing) block.
Q1. Katya, I respect your decision not to provide a profile picture because of certain types of people. Would you be kind enough to give us a brief description of yourself and your background?
Two descriptions attributed to me have been curvaceous and statuesque, and I like both. I’m a thirty-something brunette from Edinburgh, Scotland, who works in fashion retail. Relationships are for those involved, so that’s where mine will stay. In my quieter moments, I read and write, and sometimes those things are done while I travel which I also enjoy. To keep in shape I swim, jog, cycle, and do aerobics.
Q2. What type of books did you read when you were younger?
While very young I loved adventure stories, but by the time I was a teenager, I’d progressed to romance. It was while babysitting for a neighbour I first discovered books with more interesting topics. The first erotica book I read was sci-fi, but it just made it more fun for me, imagining the things the aliens could do with the human body. It captured my imagination.
Q3. What attracted you to writing erotica rather than any other genre?
I was a fan of romance, but I needed more grit, and moved up to steamy romance. It didn’t take long before curiosity got the better of me and erotica was next. A couple of authors were okay, but most stories were more like plot-starved, sexual fantasy than erotica, so I decided to try my hand … if you’ll pardon the pun.
Q4. How long did you write before publishing?
In terms of time, probably about two years. I’d written some poetry and short stories which were well-received in writing groups, but novels are a different discipline and frightening at first. Over quite a long time I produced the early stages of three novels but I left them aside, adding to them occasionally.
Q5.How long does it take generally from starting a story to seeing it published on Amazon?
I would suggest a minimum of four months. Once I have an idea I make a few notes and leave them aside to consider from which start point it might best evolve. I also tend to leave the manuscript aside regularly to let me work on something else. The Mistress, which is my shortest story so far was my quickest first draft. It took me fourteen days and I stopped at fifty-thousand words. I reduced it to forty-seven thousand words.
Q6. How many titles do you have available at the present time?
Now that my latest, ‘His & Hers’ is released, I have five books out there, all on Amazon KU.
Q7. Many authors depend on experience for their subject matter—how much of your work is a direct result of personal experience?
Small segments in different stories is the best answer. This is where the male of the species is different from the female I suppose. A guy who sleeps around for a while is sowing his wild oats and is a bit of a lad, but if a girl plays the field she’s a tart. In my mid-teens, I had two relationships with girls, but by the time I was eighteen, I’d confirmed I enjoyed a roll in the hay with a girl or a guy. I’ve been involved in a threesome twice.
Q8. Feminisation and strong female characters are prominent in your work—could you explain why you lean in this direction?
Sexuality is a deep subject. When you delve into the area of ‘gender-benders’ as they’re so cruelly labelled, there is a myriad of areas to explore. Crossdressing is a multi-layered topic and well-suited to the erotica genre. The why and wherefore create a story. Whatever men tell you, and you should know, if a woman is attractive and dominant it’s more likely to add spice to a sexual encounter, rather than be seen as threatening. What that dominant woman wants, she will get one way or the other. Only a chauvinist or a dyed-in-the-wool alpha male would think otherwise.
Q9. What is your response to those who say that erotica is simply literary porn?
If they’re describing a book which is no more than page after page of explicit sex scenes then I’d agree with them. However, if those explicit sex scenes are integral to and supporting a cohesive story, then it is not porn, it is strong erotica.
Q10. Do you believe there is a place in the market for erotica, and strong erotica in particular?
Yes, of course, or people like us wouldn’t be spending weeks and months developing a story to convey the activities of our characters. I’m an advocate of allowing people the freedom to read whatever they please, and if for example, a person has difficulty forming relationships, has an unsatisfactory sex-life or simply enjoys a bit of titillation, a graphic erotic novel might be a release for them, in a manner of speaking.
Q11. What’s your opinion of those who profess to be erotica authors but produce regular, small volumes of badly-written, graphic sex stories?
First of all, the only way they can be called authors is due to having composed the material. They are not necessarily creative people. A graphic description of sex is not particularly creative in itself. Secondly, many of these people rely on no more than three or four plots, usually involving a cash-strapped person, an experiment, or pure fantasy. There is little or no research and no substance. In my opinion, lazy writers are despicable because they are money-grabbers who also affect the reading public’s view of indie authors who are working hard.
Q12. Who are your favourite indie authors?
You are obviously one, Tom, and that’s not simply because of this interview. I’m also a big fan of Sarah Stuart who writes steamy romance, and Lesley Hayes who is just an incredible writer. For the joy of a true storyteller, I like Patrick ‘Max’ Power, Rebecca Bryn, Lucinda E. Clarke, and Mike Billington. I’m a massive fan of the Indie Author Support and Discussion group; all talented international authors. It’s handy to have something to frighten the pants off me so for that I depend on Anne Francis Scott.
Q13. Which, if any, other genres might you consider writing in the future?
I have a yearning to write something in the sci-fi arena, but I’m not sure yet whether I’d go with dystopian, apocalyptic or outer space.
Q14. Can you tell us about your cover designs and how they came about?
I feel that if not from a scene in a story, the cover should at least highlight one aspect or provide a hint of what lies beyond the title. You know as much about them as I do since you’ve made the effort to produce them for me.
Q15. Why have you avoided being interviewed until this point?
Again this is an area of which you have a good grasp. For your benefit and to aim for credibility, I didn’t think it was fitting to be revealed until I’d produced at least five titles in my name and achieved significant sales. I felt that for a long time I was locked away, waiting. When you decided to bring my work to the fore, create my character, my name, and give me my own website it meant so much to me.
Thank you, Tom, for this interview and for bringing me and my work to the attention of the wider public. I do understand how difficult it has been for you to maintain this secret aspect of your life as an author while you’ve worked on my development.
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Thank you for opening up to me, Katya. Please, finish your coffee before you get dressed. It’s been great working hand in glove with you and I look forward to your next in-depth tail … oops, I mean, of course, your next in-depth tale. I’m happy we finally have your personal story out there.
And to all who are interested in Katya’s naughty tales, here are links to her work.
My second book is a novella and features a small cast. I’ve already learned if you want an intimate story, activity with fewer participants will help.
The Woman Next Door examines what happens when a married couple moves to a remote community in rural Perth, Scotland. To be more accurate, the story features the antics of Brad, the husband, who takes a keen interest in the life of their nearest neighbour.
Natasha, the attractive dark-haired woman who lives a short distance away is seemingly unaware of being watched through binoculars—but is she unaware or teasing?
Brad is unable to resist and gets close—too close as things turn out, and he gets caught. Life is set to change for the inquisitive man who seeks more excitement.
Now Available! Please click on the book cover.
Updated 2nd March 2019 to highlight publication.
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My debut novel, Neighbourhood Watch has been out there in the big wide world for a couple of weeks now. It’s selling well, but like most erotica authors I might have to wait a while for reviews.
I’ve seen the number of eBooks increase over the past couple of years and as I scribbled my ideas and then typed them as stories, I thought, one day I’ll publish.
You’d think that I’d have the confidence to just do it, but no, I don’t want to produce one book and wait for years for the next. My first story is complete, but not yet published. (It’s being proofread).
I’ve chosen what I think are three pretty good themes for my next titles, so I’m going to take tips from a guy who has been writing erotica successfully for a while.
My mentor is performing a final proofread of my first book ‘Neighbourhood Watch‘, and apparently, it’s ‘not too bad’.He suggested that instead of continuing by working on one book, I should update my notes for a variety of titles, and then choose one to concentrate on.
The theory is for me to try to write the whole story quickly, save it, and leave it aside. I then have to write as much as I can of the next one and leave it aside. Yes, you’ve guessed, I have to do the same with the third one … and leave it aside. Another idea was for me to try writing a couple of chapters to see how a story opens up. I’ll give that a go too and see what works best for me.
The author who is mentoring me said that by the time I got back to the first new story and read it through, I’d have a better feel for where I was taking things.
I also owe him big time because he helped me set up this site, and he’s producing my covers which is an area that did worry me. I know the theory of ‘branding’, but building my own will take me a while.
I hope to publish Neighbourhood Watch in February 2019, but wish me luck as I get underway with the others. I’d suggested April to produce one title from my Work in Progress menu, but I’ve already learned that it would be too quick. I’ll see how things look for a May or June publication.
Katya Cumming Erotica 