How To Read/Write a Dirty Story [Paperback]

Susie Bright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2001

Susie Bright, the best-selling editor and founder of The Best American Erotica series, has finally written the complete guide for people who like to read, write, publish, and think about sex. With her “impeccable credentials in the field of sexual social studies and literature,” (The Boston Phoenix) Bright offers the ultimate manifesto for the erotic literati. For Erotic Writers:

What is Your Sexual Story?

Creating Sexual Characters

Steamy Plots

How to Mix Sex with Other Genres

Up-to-Date Resources for Erotic Authors For Erotic Readers:

Is This is a Stroke Book, or is This Art?

The Erotic Reader’s Bill of Rights

The “Good Parts”

Susie’s Erotic Reference Library For Erotic Thinkers:

Is Writing Sex Better than Having Sex?

The Similarities Between Erotica and Pornography

Sex and Violence

Erotic Burn-out For Erotic Publishers:

A Devil’s Argument Against Publishing

Finding the Perfect Editor

Money Money Money

Big-Time, Small Press, and Internet Publishing

Fan Clubs, Book Tours, and Book Reviews With candor and humor, Bright tells her own explicit adventures in erotic publishing, from the creative inspiration to the nitty-gritty economics. She offers provocative exercises for writers and readers alike to hone their writing and critical skills, as well as opening up the whole treasure chest of erotic literature and history. Here’s a guide that will teach you not only how to read and write a dirty story, but also how to recognize the most powerful insights of the erotica experience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"How to Read/Write a Dirty Story" is going to become an essential handbook to any author who is serious about including erotic writing in their work. -- Jane's Guide, April 2001

A renowned editor, author and sexpert, Bright's book covers all aspects of erotica. -- WIRED. com 4/10/01

Bright [has] impeccable credentials in the field of sexual social studies and literature. -- Boston Phoenix, 2000

How To Read/Write a Dirty Story is so relevant to anyone who wants to write. -- Roy Girvan,Publisher, Kilgore Trout's Erotic Author's Page

Susie Bright is the avatar of American erotica. -- Edward Rothstein, New York Times, 2000

Susie Bright... is the avatar of American erotica. -- New York Times, Edward Rothstein, 2000

This book reads like a novel.No nonsense - no holds barred.  -- Erotic Readers Association , May 2001

[Susie Bright's] enthusiasm is infectious, and would-be erotica writers will gobble up this tell-all from a pro. -- Publishers Weekly, May 7, 2001

[Susie Bright's] how-to is akin to Stephen King or Patricia Cornwall writing about their craft. Would-be writers will gobble up this tell-all from a pro. -- Publishers Weekly May 7, 2001

From the Publisher

Why I Published "How to Read/Write a Dirty Story"

Ever since I began the "The Best American Erotica" series, readers and writers have sent me their thoughts and questions about how to find the best literature, and how to write about sex so that it is both arousing and meaningful.

I'm flattered when writers think of me for advice, and I finally decided to put together a book that brought together 20 years of wisdom and insanity I’ve gained from this business.

A lot of us would like to publish own work, with integrity, but aren't sure how to be successful at it. Some of wonder if there isn’t something lost in that process, and to that end, I even wrote a chapter in my book, called, “A Devil’s Argument Against Publishing,” which I actually found quite comforting to write! It was wonderful to self-publish this book, and not hold anything back.

Many erotica fans, like myself, love nothing better than to talk about sex and writing- what makes it exciting, controversial, and memorable. That’s another reason I wrote "Dirty Story".

Sexual expression is one of our most fundamental stories about about humanity. It’s as powerful and transformative a drama as anything we ever write, and a lot of people who still stigmatize erotica don’t get that. I wanted to write a book that demonstrated how important it is what we’reup to.

For all these reasons, I decided to spill the beans and tell you everything I've learned about sex, writing, and publishing. I can't wait to hear what you think of it!

Clits up,

Susie Bright

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 261 pages
• Publisher: Susie Bright (May 25, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0739417207
• ISBN-13: 978-0739417201
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,416,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm an author, editor, publisher, performer, sex and culture critic, teacher, seamstress, and pumpkinhead.

I live in Santa Cruz, CA.

My blog is: http://susiebright..com.

My weekly show on Audible:
"In Bed With Susie Bright": http://www.audible.com/susiebright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bright Stars, June 24, 2001

By 

Marcy A. Sheiner "marquest" (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How To Read/Write a Dirty Story (Paperback)

Susie's long overdue book about her insights and experience in the world of writing and editing erotica is a welcome addition to the genre. For this editor of erotica it all rang true--the pitfalls, the joys, the rewards. And her section on the publishing industry is right on target. Susie generously shares her considerable experience writing and editing erotica, as well as other kinds of writing, with no holds barred. I read and see Susie Bright speak for inspiration and validation, and this book did it for me again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent guide, June 30, 2001

By 

Lois the Lesbian (Santa Cruz, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Read/Write a Dirty Story (Paperback)

I have always loved Susie's essays, rants, and analyses and was so glad she finally published something focused about writing as an art, a craft, and a business. In the introductions to her "Best American Erotica" collections you could get just a glimpse of what she could contribute to the artists who write erotica--a genre entered into by some of the most innovative, brave, and creative writers alive. They still need her experience and her insights, and they need this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Susie Shows us How, June 26, 2001

By 

Colette Levine (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Read/Write a Dirty Story (Paperback)

Clear, helpful, easy and fun to read, this practical book makes me want to pick up a pen and write a dirty story. Susie also gives us valuable information about the pitfalls that await the novice writer in the publishing world. Buy it!