July 14th, 2005
I’ve kept ‘mainly’ quiet as I’ve read all the ‘digs’ at Ellora’s Cave. This recent one truly knots my panties since it combines EC with the latest RWA controversies. I believe everyone has a right to their opinion, but to state it with so LITTLE information as if it’s fact is unjust to say the least. I truly do not understand why so many ‘big name’ authors are threatened by EC’s success. I suppose EC is an easy scapegoat for the changes in the publishing industry.
What am I talking about? You’ll need to go to Paperback Writer’s Blog (under PBW speaks) to see because I refuse to link to the site behind the maligning comments.
OMG! I couldn’t even read the whole thing because I got a horrible shooting pain behind my eyes.
If I’d ever thought about reading any of those women’s books before, I sure as shootin’ won’t be doing it now!
And well, I must be a complete moron because I thought EC published romance. Of course, I’m sure my opinion doesn’t count because, you know, I’ve actually read a few.
by Emma S July 14th, 2005 at 12:36 pmEmma, LOL! That is EXACTLY what I thought. I couldn’t finish the comments either. I stopped a quarter of the way down because I was getting far too angry.
by Jordan July 14th, 2005 at 12:44 pmI agree ladies. It’s a shame some people feel it’s ok for THEM to write lots of hot sex because their characters demand it, yet for us…it’s wrong.
How hypocritical.
by Sasha July 14th, 2005 at 1:02 pmSasha, Congrats again on your sale to Kensington. I find the whole ‘you’re not one of us’ thing SO frustrating.
by Jordan July 14th, 2005 at 1:55 pmOkay..am totally embarrassed…I went over there and got lost. Could someone e-mail me what we are reading and getting upset over? I wound up reading about her 44th birthday. Well, I understood being upset over that.
by CJ...somewhere--lost in space July 14th, 2005 at 3:39 pmSorry–your dumb blog friend-CJ
Well, they are over there bashing authors of e-books of all genres–generalizing that none of us are making any money. How would they know? Granted, if I wrote romantica for EC I would make more than writing sweet or inspy romances, but I still make a nice little side-income.
by Robin July 14th, 2005 at 4:01 pmCJ, Go to Paperback Writer’s blog (the link’s in my blog entry), look for the heading PBW Speaks (it’s currently under the top blog entry on her site), and then click on the link within the entry that says ‘Sex Is Just Not My Thang’. That will take you to the fray.
by Jordan July 14th, 2005 at 4:22 pmRobin, The generalizations really pissed me off. I can’t believe someone said that e-book authors only make…what was it? $25-$50? Puleeze. If that’s the kind of money I was making with e-books, I wouldn’t bother. I make 6 to 10 times that much a month and I haven’t had an e-book release since 2003. I’m not even close to being a top seller. Someone is pulling a Jim Carrey and talking out their a$$.
by Jordan July 14th, 2005 at 4:28 pmJordan…I missed the money references but I did participate in the initial conversation. I posted part of this at PBW so forgive me.
Sasha part of the argument was that EC books are shelved w/the romances in the book stores and people are worried what their children might see. And in my local Waldenbooks they’re shelved on their own shelf next to the romances.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The bottom line isn’t about what the RWA supports/wants/etc it’s about what publishers and the reading public are BUYING.
by Cece July 14th, 2005 at 7:26 pmCece, You’re absolutely right. I think that’s what’s causing the whole problem. (Allocation of the money.)
by Jordan July 14th, 2005 at 9:53 pm…sigh…it’s all sort of like an old horror movie, isn’t it? “The Debate That Would Not Die”…
Not being a member of said group, I’m still watching this with interest; but I refuse to get a headache or bunched panties. It IS all about the money & the purchasing public. And right now, the hotter reads are raking it in, and the publishers are following suit–whether RWA approves or not.
But geez, there’s a lot of fear floating around out there!
by Raine July 14th, 2005 at 11:45 pmAs I remember (in other words Im’ too lazy to go back and look at all 90 some odd replies posted to her post) not only were there “issues” with Erotic Romance but also issues over MWRE being included in the Ritas.
The brough-haha over BOTH genres affects me, because that’s what I write. For me, there was no genre hopping to keep up with changing times (ahem) and that’s not what I deliberately set out to write (because it’s hot and selling) that’s what I naturally write. =)
by Cece July 15th, 2005 at 7:03 amI can feel the steam coming out of my ears, are people really that naive, that narrowminded? I for one happen to realize that EC publishes romantic erotica. Yes, the two are connected, yes the two are entwined. Sex for the sake of sex happens in life, and sometimes there is no romance, okay that’s fine. However many writers who choose to write a bit more steamy sexual encounters realize that what makes their stories believable, interesting, engaging is the realism, the rawness, the SEX!!! Hell I’d be lying if I said I don’t enjoy writing a down and dirty sex scene and honestly if these people believe EC is porn than I guess their “romances” are a G-rated trip to Disneyland. I’m sorry to say that they’ve just lost another reader.
by Shannon July 15th, 2005 at 8:18 amToo funny, Jordan. I blogged about the same thing this morning. Just don’t get these people who think they have to trash the genre. Hell, maybe it helps us more than it hurts us, come to think of it. Gets us more attention. LOL
by Cheyenne McCray July 15th, 2005 at 10:39 amJordan, it is so ridiculous. And I can’t help but feel that some of the supporters blogging on that site are running for what they feel is the ‘winning side’, for fear of being alienated by Big Sister. It’s really stupid. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read that either.
I think there’s some jealousy going on there, as well. EC sales and sales of erotica and romantica are through the roof.
by Trace July 15th, 2005 at 11:12 amRaine, Is that what that smell is? Floating fear. LOL!
by Jordan July 15th, 2005 at 1:11 pmCece, I knew it would affect you due to what you write. The only agenda I can see here is one of exclusion.
by Jordan July 15th, 2005 at 1:12 pmShannon, I was pretty steamed yesterday myself. I am a bit better today. At least I managed to unbunch my underwear.
I don’t believe what I write is porn. I’d like to think there are stories in my books.(wg) BUT, more than anything, I am tired of people attacking my work and the work of my friends, who don’t even read the books. Yesterday, I reached my breaking point, which is why I blogged about the subject. Today, I’m realizing that I need to take a step back from the entire subject. It affects my work and I’m sure the stress affects my health. In the end, I realize they are just not ‘worth’ my time and energy. If they want to try to send RWA back to the way it was 16 years ago, then by all means go for it. Beat that dead horse right into the ground. In the future, I plan to speak with my pocketbook.
by Jordan July 15th, 2005 at 1:23 pmChey, Now there’s an idea. Maybe we should poke them with a stick so that they attack EC some more. My sales would thank them.
by Jordan July 15th, 2005 at 1:24 pmTrace, I kind of got that impression too after reading several of the responses. Like I said earler, it all boils down to money.
by Jordan July 15th, 2005 at 1:25 pmThat is a very good way of looking at things Jordan.
You are wise woman. I am becoming more finicky about what I read and it’s not great loss to me to choose another author to read, other than generic bland run of the mill romances. All of them sound to me these days…you’re right though speak with your pocketbook, actions definitely do speak louder than words. Head’s over to EC for some much needed therapy.
by Shannon July 15th, 2005 at 2:19 pmYou’re absolutely right about speaking with your pocketbook. That’s the way I’ve been operating for months now. This kind of thing kills me - although I’m so happy the PI chapter got approved. It might be the only reason I stay in RWA this time around.
by Steph T. July 15th, 2005 at 2:54 pmShannon, Enjoy your retail therapy.
by Jordan July 15th, 2005 at 3:01 pmSteph, It’s the ‘only’ reason I’m hanging around another year.
by Jordan Summers July 15th, 2005 at 3:02 pmlol Jordan, I just blogged about this too - I think a lot of us are totally peeved about the entire thing.
by Jaynie R July 17th, 2005 at 9:26 pmOh wow…I’m just speechless. You’d think I wouldn’t be after all the uninformed comments we’ve seen about EC and the erotic romance genre in general the past few months, but still…
by Patrice Michelle July 18th, 2005 at 12:25 pmJaynie, I’ve heard of people taking down the link to their site and refusing to buy their books. It’s pretty bad.
by Jordan July 18th, 2005 at 8:40 pmPatrice, I felt the same way. I couldn’t believe it.
by Jordan July 18th, 2005 at 8:41 pmJordan I’m not a writer but after reading what she said I am flabbergasted if not enraged. I am an young avid EC (I love your books) and I dont think that anyone has the right to bash EC. Even I can see its success and I’m only 18. What I want to know who is this “aquaintance” of hers that is turning on your fold. I think that yall need to find the traitor in the group and see if she will keep writing her “pornography”. I don’t in any way have a say about what yall do but yall need to do something because your own can turn against you than well…..
by Nicoisa July 23rd, 2005 at 8:54 pmNicoisa, Sorry I didn’t see your message sooner. I’m not notified when a new comment hits my site. (Something I plan to change with the redesign.)
Yeah, it was pretty ridiculous. I don’t think her post was well thought out. She has a right to her opinion though. (And you know what they say about opinions.)
As for the insider, we have a pretty good idea who that was. Not sure anything has been done about it (or will be), but I doubt the other EC authors will ‘forget’ anytime soon. :-/
by Jordan July 25th, 2005 at 2:01 pm