wordwitch | But on the lighter side:

Erotica Finds Home in Mainstream Publishing, says the AP at Yahoo! News. Seems that Avon Publishing went trolling for authors on the web, and Borders went trolling for books. The authors are a bit off in their facts, claiming that the Marquis de Sade pioneered erotica. Yeesh. Talk about, firstly, Euro-centric, and secondly, what? The Romans and Greeks didn't count? Not that they were first either.

Anyway, they say in part:

The stories are hot, and the difference between erotica and pornography is a fine one, says May Chen, an editor at Avon Red. Chen says that the most important difference is that there's a definite plot and story line in erotica. It's not just episodic sex.

"Erotica writers can tell a story," Chen says. "There is a definite hero or heroine. You might have a few sex scenes in there, but it's not gratuitous."

So! *rubs hands together* Sisters! Go forth and submit! And I think we need some sort of private community where we can point each other at Slashers In Print.

Because I'll tell you what: it's a trifle hair-raising, taking my Palm Pilot into the tub with me ...