Saturday 14 July 2012

BDSM Unleashed

BDSM certainly has had it's fair share of time in the spotlight recently, most of it due to a book called Fifty Shades of Grey. Whether the saying any publicity is good publicity turns out to be true remains to be seen, but the interest generated within the community of romance readers, publishers and the media may have positive benefits for those of us who write erotic romance, particularly with BDSM themes. 

BDSM isn't new to erotic romance, there are many excellent authors who have been writing BDSM specific romance for years.  It is, however, new in the eyes of many mainstream romance readers and even publishers. Readers who liked the Fifty Shades trilogy are now looking for other authors and books along the same lines, opening up a new reader base for established authors writing within the genre. If demand for more kinky novels continues then it isn't a far cry to see mainstream publishers taking on more authors that write BDSM specific novels. So it's all good I hear you say. A win/win for readers and authors. Maybe not.

The quality of writing in Fifty Shades has already drawn negative attention. It remains to be seen whether the popularity of the books ultimately taints work by other authors with readers assuming all BDSM is of the same quality as Fifty Shades. I hope readers that are interested in BDSM, but weren't happy with the writing style of Fifty Shades seek out quality work by other authors, rather than disregarding the genre all together. As with any fiction, there are good and bad authors out there and popularity doesn't always equal a quality read. Just as readers like and dislike different books, so the quality of writing varies according to each author.

There has also been criticism from feminist groups leveled at the book questioning whether women's rights and the gains made in the area of gender equality are adversely affected by the submissive representation of the female character in the novel.  This accusation has far reaching effects, not just for authors but for those of us that are part of the BDSM community. It's an unwarranted criticism that submissives living the lifestyle have faced for years. All I can hope is that any media exploring this topic seek out members of the BDSM community that can counter the argument articulately and present a positive view of dominance and submission as an individual lifestyle choice. 
I'm glad that The Playroom has put together this blog hop and I'm proud to be part of it. It's not just an event where readers can win a free ebook or two, it's a community of authors and those within the lifestyle presenting a positive view of BDSM writing and offering information to those interested in finding out more about what BDSM really is.

Now for my giveaway... click to follow my blog, leave a comment on this post, along with your email address and go in the draw to win an ebook copy of Playing Jax, the second novel in my Wylde Shore Series.  If you already follow the blog then you still get to go in the draw if you leave a comment on the post.

Also to go in the major draw of the BDSM Unleashed Giveaway visit The Playroom BDSM Authors Blog at The Playroom and comment on one of the posts as part of the blog. You'll also find a list of more than 30 other authors participating in the giveaway, so there are lots of chances to win prizes and lots of informative blogs to read.


Update: 24th July 2012: I want to thank everyone who commented for a chance to win my ebook but there can only be one winner and that lucky ducky is... Sebrina. Congratulations, Sebrina. Please check your email to find out how to claim your prize.

The Playroom authors will post during the hop about their love for the genre. Comments on The Playroom Blog posts will count as entries to win the BDSM UNLEASHED GRAND PRIZES


Below is the list of participating authors for this blog hop. Check them out for changes to stack your reading shelves with lots of prizes.

27 comments:

  1. I'm a huge BDSM reader and I'm very happy to see this genre getting the attention it deserves! Thanks for being part of the hop :)
    drmgrl99atyahoodotcom

    ReplyDelete
  2. I also hope the media does there job and does some research with people who live the BDSM lifestyle rather than just make inflammatory claims about women be subjugated. I am a new follower to your blog thanks to the blog hop I have also signed up to follow you by email.
    Thanks Carin mawmom(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree Carin, it will be interesting to see how things pan out.

      Thanks for following the blog.

      Delete
  3. This is a great blog hop, and I'm happy to 'meet' you! :)
    Thank you so much for the chance at your giveaway. *runs and snags the first in the series*

    Thanks again,
    Sebrina_Cassity at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy to meet you to Sebrina, and I hope you enjoy Finding Angel. As I was writing that one my crit readers kept saying Steve needs to be the next book, hence Playing Jax became the second in the Series.

      Delete
  4. Yeah, I just found your books and I can't wait to read them. Oh I love these blog hops!!!

    proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the chance to win!
    I follow by email.
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I didn't read the Fifty Shades series after reading a few bloggers that I know like similar books to me and they weren't impressed with it. My cousin read it but couldn't say she liked it. Thanks for a chance to win one of yours!
    suz2(at)cox(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had friends feel the same way about the 50 Shades series as well Susan. Word of mouth counts for a lot with me when choosing a book to read.

      Delete
  7. I am enjoying this hop and finding many new blogs and authors.

    Gabrielle
    meingee@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for the chance to win. I also follow GFC and e-mail.
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great blog hop, thanks for joining. Personally, haven't read 50 shades, but at least it has kinda opened up the acceptance to other great BDSM and erotic writers!
    modularmates(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  10. It is a pleasure to meet you and thank you for the opportunity to win..

    best wishes

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have only recently started reading this genre, a little over a year ago, and let me tell you that I love it. BDSM themed stories are some of my favorites. I have yet to read the '50 Shades' story and may eventually, but so far I have a lot of other authors (including you) that are keeping me busy with your awesome work.
    GFC follower-Eva Perez

    Eva
    evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. BDSM books have been around long before 50 Shades of Grey and it will continue long after the hype quiets down and the book is long forgotten! I don't have an opinion about the book as I haven't read it and not sure if I will. There are enough books to keep me busy!!

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you so much for the giveaway..

    GFC Follower- ronnkelly3

    ronnkelly3@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love discovering new authors and books I want to read while I hop. Happy reading

    areeths at new dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I read lots of BDSM but I can't bring myself to read fifty shades. I am actually getting very sick of the press that it is getting. It is nothing new in the erotica section. That being said I am glad that the authors that have been writing it are getting some press.
    Thank you for the giveaway. I am a GFC follower: Kaylyn Davis
    kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've read 50 Shades...didn't think it was all that, but what I did love about it was that it got people to read that don't...it got people to read!!! Absolutely love it because they squee about books like I do...Gotta love that!!!
    andieleah78@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's definitely one of the positives about it's popularity, I have friends that I've never heard discuss a book in the time I've known them talking about 50 shades.

      Delete
  17. Unfortunately the media is not interested in truth. They are only interested in hype and attention. Just watch the nightly news. I haven't read 50 shades. I'm always slow to jump on the bandwagon. By the time I finally get in the wagon, there's a new wagon coming down the trail.
    This is such a fun hop. I'm finding a lot of new authors and that's so exciting. I'm looking forward to reading these great books I'm finding on this hop.
    gfc: Julianne
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love BDSM stories. I have not read the 50 Shades books. I may someday, but there are so many talented authors that I know I would enjoy so much more :) I do hope that the exposure helps other authors of the genre and gets readers to try something that they may be curious about reading.
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for participating! I follow on GFC as Emily.

    tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great post. Love the cover. Thanks for the giveaway.
    GFC: Vanessa N.

    mythic021@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you very much for the great giveaway this sounds like a great book would love to read it!
    GFC follower - latishajean
    tishajean@ charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great post! Very interesting. Thanks for sharing and for the awesome hop!
    GFC: shadow_kohler
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete