Why write erotica and why keep my real name ?

Every writer is sooner or later attracted to erotica. It is true of the greatest and the lowest. So I knew I would come around to it one day. But it is dangerous to endeavour such a work so early in a literary career. You run the risk of being labelled as a "blue book" writer. This is a risk I fear for several reasons, but above all because of the "labelling" issue. What I don't want is to be a writer "of" that genre or that one. Be it erotica, science fiction or anything else. I like to move from one genre to another, and this kind of labelling would prevent me from doing it. However, circumstances led me to write Le Bandeau quickly, and I do not regret it.

I had already written In Memoriam, and I saw how diffcult it is to make it into print if you are not famous and nobody's friend. These episodes are told in the section about my first book. To make a name for myself, it soon became obvious that the only argument that would carry to the publishers was sales figures. Whatever you write, the important thing is to sell. Then, they read your texts and consider publishing them.

In genre literature, the problem is not quite the same. Frankly, when you read an erotic novel, what matters is not the name of the author. Only the quality of the text can or cannot convince. But there are deadends too. Cheap porn, written by the mile and formated according to clear instructions (this publisher, for instance, demands that the word cock appear at least three times per page) has no interest. This is not literature. A real erotic novel is more than a display of debauchery.

Therefore, I wrote this text with careful attention. What matters to me before all is the psychology of the characters. On this count, I was thrilled by Sexysoda's comment: she said she thought the book was written by a woman. This is evidence that I have insight into character and made mine believable and substancial, which is what I wanted.

As soon as I finished, I sent my manuscript to the publishers in the genre that I have respect for, starting with Franck Spengler from éditions Blanche. He immediately showed interest and proved enthusiastic and supportive through the editing process. The rapidity with which a house like Blanche, well established in its field, answered me proved what I suspected: in erotica, publishers are "honest". That is to say that the texts are judged according to their value and not to the author's name's sellability...

Now, why publish it under my real name ? Many authors, especially in my job, hide behind a pen-name. I did not make that choice, for two reasons: the first is mercantile. If I wrote an erotic novel so early, it was to get the sales figures that will generate the credit I need with publishers to publish other works. If I change my name, I lose the benefit from the operation. Besides, as far as promoting the work is concerned, journalists prefer to have a flesh and blood person to talk to rather than a shadow.

The second reason is more noble. All my books rest on two assertions: the first one is that you should neither fear nor be ashamed of your desires. Giving in to them without restraint is unreasonable, but denying them and ignoring them is even more harmful. Accepting that we are sexual beings, with fantasies and freedom of our body is what I expect from my characters. But how could my book be seriously taken if I do not abide by these principles myself ? Do as I say, not what I do... No! You have to stand for what you say. Especially if what you say is that you have to stand for what you say...

Since then, I have had the opportunity to see how conservative and timid our society is. Spirituality is dying, but the Victorian rigorous demands live on. Nevertheless, I am convinced that I am right, even if I am a minority. The others will not be more right if I shut up.

This is precisely why, when all is said and done, I am happy I wrote this book early in my career.