Why, oh why, are there so many BDSM books being released from erotic romance publishers at the moment? (Yep EC, that means you too…)
Everybody I speak to tell me the same thing, they don’t really do BDSM, unless it’s very, very, light! Yet it seems that every other book that is released just lately, seems to be a frickin BDSM story! Blech!
I used to be able to read light BDSM, but because of the number of BDSM books that are constantly being churned out, I’ve completely lost my appetite for any of it.
Having come across the Just Slave girly who does nothing but live for her master, my tolerance for anything BDSM has gone down to zero!
No, I’m not interested in hearing the differences between Dom/subs and Slave/Master. The small minded person that I can be, will continue to lump these alternative lifestyles in the same boat as BDSM.
I’m almost tempted to boycott Elloras Cave due to the amount of f*cking Bondage, Dominant/Submissive books. (Yeah, yeah, I wouldn’t make much of an impact I know.)
I can read just about anything, but I’m getting to the point where I hate, yes hate, Bondage, and Dom/Sub books. Am I missing something? Do women actually like heavy BDSM? Am I alone in my growing dislike of this genre?
Speak to me people, tell me what your thoughts are on BDSM, and whether you too have noticed the new wave of authors who seem to write nothing but BDSM, and if so, are you happy with this status quo?
Nicole
July 8
4:14 pm
I’ve also noticed that that seems to be what EC has been releasing a lot more of. Not everything, but certainly a large majority of the releases are BDSM. I just don’t like reading them. Not at all. When I first started reading erotic romance, I read some, but now I just can’t stand it.
I want my romance with really good, hot sex, but really, it doens’t have to be kinky to be hot.
Of course, maybe BDSM really is a hot seller for them. People may talk out about it on the web, but it’s the numbers that truly count.
Eve Vaughn
July 8
5:11 pm
They don’t bother me that much, but then again it depends on the author.I’m not really into the humiliation part of it, but some people dig it or I guess there wouldn’t be so many. I can see where light BDSM could be a turn on, but then again, I like kink. LOL
Anne
July 8
5:36 pm
There are a lot of people out there who like BDSM and even menage but I’m not one of them… so when a book is labeled as such, I avoid those books.. even if written by my fave authors. So, al I can think to say on this subject, is do what I do. When they’re labeled as BDSM, avoid them. 😀
Jenn
July 8
5:52 pm
For once Karen you and I agree on something. Imagine that!
I too have started being very careful and investigating books before I buy because I am tired of the bdsm and m/m.
All women want to be belittled and punished.
Yeah right
And share their men with another man.
Get real
Indida
July 8
7:06 pm
I noticed it a while ago and it has irritated me ever since. It didn’t use to be this bad. I like the light stuff but so much of the hardcore stuff is coming out now and I just can’t get around it.
All I am doing is sticking to my favorite authors and the few new ones that are highly recommended. I used to browse around but that is on hold until they work this rush out of their system.
Things have to come full circle eventually right? Maybe?
Marianne LaCroix
July 9
4:03 am
Well, there is an audience that likes BDSM. Personally, I read very little of it. When I do, it is for a change of pace. But I can’t read it on a continual basis. And EC puts it out most likely because many of their customers like it. I am pretty sure they make sure there are buyers for a genre before putting out books. I have to say, at EC you have a big choice in books. Don’t like BDSM? They got lots of other things.
Desiree Erotique
July 9
4:15 pm
My husband and I live a real Dom/sub relationship, and so yes, it’s the type of erotica I most enjoy. But there’s erotica available for every taste.
I don’t care for some themes myself -don’t much care for shape shifters, and hate chick lit- but that doesn’t mean I’d like to see what turns me off excluded from buyers. Diversity is what makes the colours of the rainbow 🙂
Anonymous
July 9
5:06 pm
BDSM doesn’t bother me, and the well written stuff can be very hot. If I had to complain about one genre that seems overly done on the market these days it’d have to be the Cavemen and Vampire books. But I think that’s only my reaction because they aren’t my cup of tea. These book covers just seem a glaring annoyance when visiting to buy. But that’s my perception. I always end up finding something I like.
McVane
July 9
8:33 pm
I do make an effort to avoid any books that involve BDSM as it doesn’t interest me at all. Yes, I noticed the strong increase, which is why I stopped visiting EC.
Oh, there’s no doubt that there is an audience for it, it’s always been popular in Erotica. It was just the question of when, not if, BDSM will be heavily featured in Erotic Romance. Looks like the day has arrived. Yippee(!)
Kate R
July 9
9:00 pm
Yes, they sell extremely well.
(I’ve been told by several people I trust that beta guys don’t do well in erotica, which makes me think that poor Summer’s books won’t be doing well either.)
Kate R
July 9
9:03 pm
completely off-topic: OOoo I just noticed Shawshank Redemption on your movie list. Damn, I love that movie!
Nicole
July 10
2:28 am
Kate, I plan to buy your book as soon as my book buying moratorium is over.
Ann Vremont
July 10
2:12 pm
I know as a writer who doesn’t have an interest in it, I’m frustrated with it and how it seems hard to sell anything but bdsm. I had a, now deleted, rant on this on my LJ — where eroine strength is proven by her ability to submit — “a woman strong enough to submit.” I classified it as “insidious propaganda.” And males get classified as a beta if the heroine is too strong/independent.
Ann
Jaynie R
July 11
7:19 am
I read it *g*
I don’t read it all the time but I do like it. I vary my reading so I read vamps then wolfies then Bombshell then BDSM or whatever, ya know what I mean. So basically I don’t read 10 BDSM books in a row, but at least 10 out of 100 books I read will be BDSM
Karen Scott
July 11
9:06 am
Nicole, I used to not mind reading light BDSM, back in the days when it wasn’t everywhere I looked, but I think it’s like everything else, too much of it, and boredom sets in very quickly. i like contemps, but I never used to actively look for them, but nowadays, if there’s a contemps link on a website, I’ll go there first. I now completely avoid anything BDSM.
Eve, my issue isn’t really with BDSM, it’s the disproportionate amount being churned out in comparison to other erotic romance genres. I thoroughly enjoyed Chey Mccrays Wonderland Kings, but for me that was very light BDSM, and definitely no humiliation involved.
Anne, I’m starting to do the same thing.
Jenn what are you talking about, we agree on lots of stuff…. like you’re a brazen hussy! (g)
Indida, I sure hope things come full circle and soon, I want a broad range of choice, I don’t want to have to choose between stories about A: a woman getting whipped for pleasure, B: a woman getting whipped for pain, or a C: A strong woman, who can only prove her strength by submitting to a man. BORING!
Marianne, I realise that there is obviously a market for it, what I hate is having the choice of whether I read a BDSM book or not taken out of my hands because most of the books that are released are BDSM books, I think that just sucks. I would feel the same if the publishers were churning out shit-loads of paranormal, or vamps or wolfies.
Des, I’m not saying that BDSM should be excluded, I’m saying that the publishers are failing to give me a choice in what I want to read. There was one week where all the books EC released all involved BDSM in one form or another, with the exception of one paranormal romance.
I want to be able to choose between BDSM, paranormal, contemp, wolfies, vamps etc.
Anonymous, Cavemen books? I must say I haven’t read one of those. I’m not even sure what those are, unless it’s a metaphor for another genre? As for vamp books, I got to a point where I stopped reading those due to the amount that were being churned out, but I do think they’ve pretty much stabilised now, so I don’t mind reading one every now and again.
Maili, the days has been arriving for months now!
Kate are you Summer Devon? I love Beta guys personally. Alpha heroes are great, but I prefer them tempered with some Beta characteristics
Kate, Shawshank Redemption was just the most amazing film. I actually forgot to add The Sixth Sense, now that was a fab film too!
AnneV, I would have loved to read your rant, (g)
Out of all the BDSM themes, I think I dislike Doms/Subs the most, but I think this is because I’m offended by the implication that because I would be unwilling (putting it lightly) to submit, I’m not a strong woman. I think I’m too much of a feminist for submission books, having said that I have read a few, but I can’t honestly say I’ve ever thoroughly enjoyed them, some have been ok, and others have sucked, but none have been brilliant in my opinion.
Jaynie, that’s exactly my point, I don’t want to have a limited choice on what I read, I don’t want it all to be mostly BDSM sand some other genres, I want it to be at the very least equal.
Pink Pen
July 11
10:51 pm
[quote]And share their men with another man.
Get real[/quote]
Hey Jenn, didn’t you know that all women fantasize about having two men? What most people don’t realize is in our fantasy… one’s cleaning and the other one’s cooking! *grin*
Maven
July 14
4:14 pm
Well, I’m also a BDSM practitioner (FemmeDomme), and I’ve gotten tired of EC’s steady diet of D/s. I’ve been calling it “the women’s submission” publisher. I haven’t bought anything from them in almost a year. I still check weekly, because I’m a big fan of Joey Hill and Lisa Marie Rice, but it’s gotten so bad that when I see the description I immediatly check for the words “strong man” and “Submit or subdue”. Lord, I’m tired of those Woman on her Knees covers too.
I know it’s Tina’s kink (just read the Emperess’s New Clothes, or any book in her Jaid Black, Trek’M’Quan…SP?…series)
but it’s getting old.
Loose ID has been getting my dollars lately. They publish a widewe range of books, and even the occasional FemmDomme story. As far as beta males go, I love them!
Daria
July 16
10:52 pm
I agree. Every type of erotica must have its share, but I’m tired of BDSM flooding the market. I was never much interested, esp. in female submission. But then, most old romances feature it. The forced seduction, etc. Just don’t call it that. Shrug. I think a man who has to prove his alphaness by dominating or raping a physically weaker being, is no alpha at all, but simply an insecure poser.