How to Write Erotica [Hardcover]

Valerie Kelly (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 322 pages
• Publisher: Harmony; 1st edition (July 13, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517560593
• ISBN-13: 978-0517560594
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,215,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book On Its Subject, July 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Write Erotica (Paperback)

I've read a lot of books on this subject and I have to say that this book is probably the best, although Mike Bailey's 'Teach Yourself Writing Erotica' is excellent as well.

Valerie Kelly's book differs from the many other books on the subject, however, as it should really be entitled 'How To Write Porn'. No, I don't mean to demean her work - what I'm trying to say is that all of the other books about writing erotica deal with writing novels only and talks about more literate erotica. Valerie Kelly concentrates more on writing more hardcore short pieces for magazines and is the only book that I have seen that covers this subject.

The book is filled with excellent and entertaining examples as well as a lot of common-sense advice presented in a logical and east to read format.

The only thing that lets this book down is its age as it is now 16 years old. The information at the start of the book about how magazines are put together seems like something out of the dark ages these days.

If the author or publisher ever comes across this, then please consider producing a second edition that is more up-to-date. There's definitely a market for it.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kelly gets things hot in "How to Write Erotica", August 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Write Erotica (Paperback)

Valerie Kelly does a masterful job with How to Write Erotica...Although the advice on getting started pertains primarily to erotic media and literature, it is time-honored, common-sense information that all writers need to be successful...The writing samples themselves are not only informative, but also very entertaining...I could recommend the book on them alone...But writer's looking to add steam and physicality to their work should give this book a look...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HOT AND SEXY, AND REAL, January 2, 2010

By 

Joseph H. Race "Jose Mango" (SAIPAN, MP United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Write Erotica (Paperback)

Thank you Valerie for pointing me in the right direction to write exotica and exciting love scenes, and how to deal effectively with the agents and publishers in the marketplace. This is a very valuable book for writers that are going in the new direction of writing modern novels. The readers and buyers now expect very poignant, romantic, hot and sexy scenes. This book will get you there without being gross or stupid. A good resource for progressive writers. Well done!