5th Better Sex Erotic Fiction Contest: Largest Prize for Amateur Erotic Fiction Writers
(Vocus) October 14, 2008 -- The Sinclair Institute announced today $5,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to amateur erotic fiction writers. This will be the fifth Better Sex Erotic Fiction Contest (http://www.bettersex.com/t-erotic-fiction-contest.aspx) held by the company. The company awarded more than $15,000 to almost 100 writers in previous contests held at the company's web site BetterSex.com. “Our summer 2008 erotic fiction contest received over five hundred stories from amateur writers in 9 countries including New Zealand, Canada and France,” said Martin Smith a Director for the company. B. B. Giddens, a New Zealand writer, was awarded the top prize by a three judge panel in the summer contest. A companion book is planned. “Most contest writers are amateurs writing erotic fiction as a hobby,” explained Mr. Smith, “so being published is a thrill.”
Submission deadline for the 5th Erotic Fiction contest is midnight Sunday November 1st and the contest ends on Valentine’s Day 2009. Adult writers, those 18 years of age or older at time of story submission, will submit steamy stories that explore a variety of fantasies. “We see common themes, but our writers’ creativity is always amazing.” Mr. Smith said. “Snow White and the Vampire was one of our summer finalists just by way of example,” Mr. Smith chuckled.
“Romance” fiction is now the largest single book sales category with an estimated 13.3% share according to Simba Research. Romance fiction is playing an increasingly important role in The New York Times and USA Today Best Sellers Lists. Publishers are aware of this trend creating more romance titles last year than ever and using new technologies such as Real Simple Syndication (RSS) to reach busy readers. Erotic Stories from BetterSex.com (http://www.bettersex.com/Better-Sex-Kits/erotic-fiction/sp-better-sex-erotic-stories-set-3456.aspx), the book created after each erotic fiction contest, may never appear on the New York Times Best Sellers list, but 2008 sales exceeded a 1,000 copies. “Our wholesale customers love the book, writers tell their friends and writers for next year’s contest purchase the book to study winning stories,” explained Director Smith.
Mr. Smith created the contest in 2003. “Writers ask why we organize this yearly round up of great erotic fiction,” said Mr. Smith. “At first, in 2003, it seemed like a fun, creative idea, and something different,” Mr. Smith explained. BetterSex.com (http://www.bettersex.com) realized it had, almost by chance, tapped into something when they received so many well written stories from around the world. “Women writers outnumbered men in our first contest 3 to 1, but our summer contest only had a slight edge for stories by women writers,” Mr. Smith shared. Mr. Smith, a dedicated blogger and amateur writer, continued, “I know what it is like to write for long hours, for a handful of readers. For many writers the joy of writing is the only compensation, so it was important to create a contest to support writers with money, recognition and encouragement.”
Profits from Better Sex Erotic Stories book and companion CD are paid to authors as ongoing licensing revenue. The first licensing payments for 2007’s winning authors should be in the mail in time for 2008’s holidays. The company has a history of giving to important causes. DKT International (http://www.dktinternational.org), a four star rated global family planning and aids prevention charity, received more than $10,000,000 in support over a period of years from the company. “Profits from our customers’ purchases help DKT save lives around the world,” said Mr. Smith. “Our annual Erotic Fiction Contest helps amateur writers create art and what is life without art,” Mr. Smith concluded.
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