lady

They, say men want a woman who acts like a lady on the outside, but can be a slut in bed . . . or something to that effect. Apparently, that’s appearing to be a sentiment by Amazon and their latest trek on filtering erotica authors and their works from showing up in the “General Search” function (or “All Departments”) on their site.

According to the media and Selena Kitt, an award-winning erotica author, Amazon is now censoring adult books so that the titles do not show up in the general search, or “All Departments” section on their site. So what does that mean to authors? It means their livelihood is decreased because fans cannot find their books as easily. What does it mean to you as a reader? You are not able to find the titles or reading material you’re looking for because the titles/products are hidden. Let’s face it, this sucks for both parties.

However, according to Selena Kitt, the filter seems right now to target covers with nudity and certain keywords and titles, which means that if an author can mask the slutty/porn/erotic lingo within the book with a “respectable” cover and title and keywords to match, then the content can be as smutty and steamy as it wants to be on the inside. Again, lady on the outside, slut in bed.

Curious, I went to Amazon and did a general search for Pleasure House and Dance Of Desire

Last week, when I first heard of this censorship, I was able to find my books by title under the “All Departments” section. However, on the date of this post, Pleasure House comes up, but Dance of Desire does not. When I check out my rankings on Sales Rank Express, I don’t see the red “Adult” filter noted beside the books. I do know one thing that was different, I did not get any sales from the UK (United Kingdom) for the month of April, and I always have sales from my British friends.

Hm-m-m, I’m not sure what’s going on. If you type in Scarlet Darkwood under “All Departments” both books come up. But it’s interesting that people don’t go straight to the category where their item might be found, just to narrow the results. When I search for MP3 music, I go to the MP3 category and start my search there. When I’m looking for a book, I go to the Kindle Store, because I have no interest in buying a print version of the book.

Nevertheless, here’s the nasty truth: Erotica writers are having their incomes threatened by censorship, and you as the reader are also affected by not being able to find the books you want to read. What can you do to help? If you do a search on Amazon and you don’t have the author’s name or title of one of their books, go straight to “Kindle Store” or directly to the “Erotica” category under the “Books” listings. You’ll find Erotica under the “Literature and Fiction” category, and from there, type in your search, whether it be author, title or keywords. Please help erotica authors continue to produce fun, sensual material you enjoy reading.

As for me, if you’ve bought Pleasure House and like it, please try Dance of Desire. It’s a fun story, and I personally like it a lot. If you’ve bought Dance of Desire, get Pleasure House to add to your collection. I know I’ve been grateful for all your purchases and support, and I hope you’ll continue to enjoy what I write.

What are your thoughts on censorship? How do you search for erotic literature? What entices you to buy a title? What turns you off?

I don’t know how much many of you know about Flash Fiction, but I was truly amazed when I started reading pieces from this catagory of writing. Look at it as writing in minature form, if you dare. Under a 100 words or so, one can compose a fun, quick read that usually leaves you with a “gotcha” at the end.

Once group of writers, me included, decided to try our hand at flash fiction, using visual aids to prompt us. I didn’t include the pic here because I’m so afraid of copyright infringement. But imagine this, if you will: Visualize an old tree that begins to separate into two parts at the trunk, then sinks it’s roots deep into the ground. If you stand back and look long and hard enough, you see that it kind of reminds you of a naked lady. I chose this pic as my inspiration, and I came up with the bit below:

He stared hard at the crotch of the tree for a long time. The more he gazed, the more the division of the trunk reminded him of a graceful figure of a woman . . . his woman . . . with her thighs parted just enough to tease. Smiling, he stood there, remembering how he’d first made love to her under this same tree, her head cradled in his hands as he held her close. Like the tree penetrating the yielding soil below, the hardness he’d born between his thighs sought shelter in the warm, dark haven within her. Since that time, he’d longed to return to this magical place of transformation, where friends became lovers. They’d made a pledge to keep this spot sacred, coming here only when one desired total union with the other. No words would be spoken except from the heart. Now she joined him!

I kind of liked it, as did my other fellow writers. The gotcha at the end is a little more subtle, but I thought it was there, nonetheless.

So tell me what you think about my piece, and if you’ve read flash fiction in general, how do you like it? Do you like the twist at the end? Do you like something more soft and thought-provoking?

Lady On The Outside, Sensual Slut On The Inside: Amazon Censoring Erotica

Erotic Flash Fiction: My First Time