Does Sex Sell Books?

In a word, yes. The most profitable genre on Amazon is Romance/erotica at $1.44 billion. This category is twice as profitable as the number two spot on the list. But be forewarned: that same category, romance/erotica, is the most competitive of all of the categories as well as being the most profitable.

Types of Sex Books

Pundits categorize sex in novels into three types:

• sweet

• romantic

• erotica.

Erotica is the easiest to explain: the plot is totally dependent upon sex. Without sex, the story doesn’t exist.

Sweet sex is the chaste kiss at the end of the book, it is the longing looks from afar, or it can be the sizzle between your lead characters but nothing ever happens.

Romantic sex goes further than sweet, but the plot line is intact with or without the sex. Your romance story can survive without sex; sex just enriches the experience.

Much of this goes back to what you are comfortable writing. Can you create a believable bedroom romp? Or are you happier with a kiss over the garden gate? You must determine what works for you, and then what works for your storyline and your audience.

As author, it is critical that you know your audience. That, of course, is required for any genre. Know the people for whom you write. Your audience might not want graphic sex in your books, and if you include it, you will probably lose readers. On the other hand, you may have established a reputation for scorching sex scenes and if you don’t include them in your books, your readers will be disappointed.

Write what you are comfortable creating. Know your audience in great detail. The sex scenes can happen or not—it all depends upon you and your audience.