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Help please! Advice on marketing an "edgy" book.
Hello Everyone!
I really need some advice on marketing my first published novel. It's contemporary female fiction, about a woman's journey from semi-social, wall flower, to self-pleasure cult hero. The theme is about going after dreams, living life without limits, and accepting people for who they are. It challenges, racial, social, and sexual sterotypes with humor, and sensitivity. The story is a first person account of a cheesecake addicted, socially inept, bookkeeper, who discovers the big "O", at age 33, and becomes obsessed with pleasuring herself. Masturbation leads her on unexpected journey of self-discovery that changes her life, and the lives of others she encounters. It's inspirational, and fun, with a syrupy sweet ending. I've been getting some great feedback from those who've dared to get over the title to read it. And therein lies my issue - the title, which is, "Confessions of a Serial Masturbator". The title completely fits the story, however, it lends itself to being prejudged as erotica, which it's not. Short of changing the title, how do I get this to the contemporary female fiction audience? How do I get book signings with this title? I'm writing a follow up, but I'm also working on some other novels with tamer titles. When they're completed, should I push those more, and then let the audience find "Confessions..." on their own? Any comments/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Regina Y. Swint on
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Oh, my goodness. I understand that. But just know that you're getting lots of good feedback, so far. I'm hoping to get more by tomorrow, and you'll have lots to read and think about. :)
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Permalink Reply by Kitty K. Free on -
I can't thank you enough Regina..., and I can't wait!
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Hey, Kitty!
Here's the FB thread I started the other day about your book title, and the comments from some of my friends.ORIGINAL POST:
One of my writing friends on She Writes, just finished a novel that she is calling, "Confessions of a Serial Masturbator." Clearly, some of the content will be adult-themed, but the book is not erotica. Just wondering how some of you readers out there feel about the title. She's thinking of changing it, but I told her that if it fits, to keep it.
- Marc Taylor Tell her to keep the name! We are all adults!June 23 at 4:42pm via mobile ·
Ry Swint that's what i was thinking, Marc. i figure that as long as she markets to her target audience, which of course, is single women in the 20s-40s age group, people will positively respond to a good story. now, i'm not crazy about the cover design, but i think most folks will get past that and move on, if the title grabs them well enough.
Danielle Exquisitely Livinglaughingloving I love that Title.... It's very ADULT....The thing is TRUE ADULTS will always be comfortable w/ any and everything b/c they do not try to read more into something than what's there....
Januari Afrasiabi I'd buy it based on the title. I am curious to read it now.June 23 at 5:00pm via mobile ·- Ry Swintthanks, Danielle...i agree. it's a very adult, very eye-catching title. i think she's pretty brave for choosing it.
Januari...thanks. i bought it right away. it's $2.99 on kindle. i blow that on a quick meal at mcdonalds or popeye's. another of my friends is working on a book she's tentatively calling "twat." and, believe it or not, it's not erotica, either. but just like this first writer friend, she wonders if it will repel more people than it attracts. i told her, "well, if the title repels them, then maybe it's not the book for them. not everyone will like everything."
LaMishia Allen I agree with Januari however, if the synopsis doesn't match the title, then i'll be wondering why the hell she named it that ....then i'll feel its a bit of a gimmick- Ry SwintLaMishia...from the little i've read so far, the title matches, so that's a good thing. i think she's concerned that people with think it's sex, sex, sex, every other page, when there's actually a story being weaved in there, too. here's what she wrote on the thread:
"The story is a first person account of a cheesecake addicted, socially inept, bookkeeper, who discovers the big "O", at age 33, and becomes obsessed with pleasuring herself. Masturbation leads her on unexpected journey of self-discovery that changes her life, and the lives of others she encounters."
In trying to reach what she calls the contemporary female fiction audience, she added this: "The theme is about going after dreams, living life without limits, and accepting people for who they are. It challenges, racial, social, and sexual sterotypes with humor, and sensitivity."
- LaMishia Allen Sounds good. It's not porn but it's not the bible either. acceptable.
- Ry Swint i know that's the middle ground that i aim for. i'll try to get it read this weekend, and see if she was able to pull it off. i got two other books that i need to finish first, though, so it may be next week before i get around to this one.
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OUR COMMENTS CONTINUED:
- Asia Kaila frankly the title doesn't sound like erotica to me. erotica tends to be overly guileful in its titling or just raunchy.
this sounds like 'my life paycheck to paycheck' or something of the sort 
Asia Kaila lol!!! we should do a post one day horrible erotica titles that JUST might exist lol
or one evening...after i've been drinking- Ry Swint yes! let's do! then i can google 'em, and see how many we actually named!
- Asia Kaila LMAO!!!! absolutely! i'm down but perhaps not until mid july, no wine until then...damn doctors!!!!
- Ry Swint awww. damn. well, at least that'll give me plenty of time to come up with some doozies!
Trevor Fite So this isn't a children's book, right? I think the title is a bit too gimmicky, and if the material isn't really good, then the author risks not being taken seriously as a writer in the future (my opinion ). The other risk I see is missing the target audience while giving a bunch of pervs a reason to buy a book. But hey, the world is gonna end soon, so I guess anything goes, right?June 23 at 7:30pm via mobile ·- Ry Swint Trevor...ha! nope, definitely not a children's book. not sure how good the material is yet. just picked it up, and will start reading in a few days (i hope). i'm sure the title will generate a lot of attention from all types. just hope it gets enough good attention to counter the bad. and the world has been ending for 2,000 years, so might as well go for it. :)
Christi Love I say keep the name. I would grab it on the title alone. She must be sure the tag is as catchy.
Jamie Reese The name is catchy. It would make me pick it up and see what it's about. I say keep it13 hours ago via mobile ·
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Permalink Reply by Kitty K. Free on
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WOW!!! That was amazing to read. Very encouraging. WOW! Thank you so much. This is the first time I've seen a thread of ppl, that I'm not a part of, talking about the title.
Please thank everyone for me, for giving their feedback & let them know I truly appreciate their honesty. And PLEASE thank Januari for me for buying the book. I really appreciate it. Also I think the title of her friends book is awesome:)
WOW!!! This is really bugging me out LOL! Thank you again so very much!
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Permalink Reply by Judith Marshall on
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Hi Kitty, Congratulations on the book. One thing you might consider is hiring a professional to write and distribute a press release. That would be a way to get past instant rejection because of your title (in retrospect, something like Discovering the Big "O", might have been an option.) My press release landed me a screen option for my novel, Husbands May Come and Go but Friends Are Forever, so I'm a fan. I've been told media kits are passe with the advent of technology.
Regards,
Judith Marshall
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Permalink Reply by Catrina Barton on -
A press release would be a good option, but I have no knowledge of how to create, or distribute one of those.
Kitty. XD {That's my nickname too.}
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That's a great reason to consider a press release writer, Judith! Do you recommend anyone in particular? I think I'd like to look into getting one, too. Thanks, for the insight!
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Permalink Reply by Kitty K. Free on
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Thanks Judith. Congratulations on your screen option! Wishing you much luck!
I have a media kit, because I was advised that I should, but I honestly don't know what to do with it.
"Discovering the Big "O" wld've been a cool title. Still, I'm in love with the title of my book, however fortunate or unfortunate that may turn out to be. I wanted the title to carry the weight & humor of the book - we'll see how that turns out HA!
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Permalink Reply by Catrina Barton on
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Congrats on the screen option Judith! XD
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If anyone want to know who I used to write and distribute my release, contact me through my website
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Permalink Reply by Kitty K. Free on
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Thank you for sharing that Judith!
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