[A_Writer_]

I'm writing Erotica under a pen-name and decided not to put the covers in my sig. Not that I'm embarassed, but I don't want to go to far and offend others. I also realize some people check the boards while at work or at home with their kids. I say go with what you're comfortable with. There's room for everybody's own style.

Thanks, T.J....that's good advice.

 

[A_Writer_]

There are also people who read forums from work and don't want their cow-orkers to think they're looking at naughty sites on their lunchbreak.

Very true!

Angelina

 

[Guest]

There are also people who read forums from work and don't want their cow-orkers to think they're looking at naughty sites on their lunchbreak.

As I do surf at work (and don't worry, the boss knows and doesn't care!) I can tell you that the issue is more the risk of the site getting blocked than co-workers. A LOT of companies use anti-smut, anti-spam (anti-everything) software to block certain sites. If the algorithms decide a site hits certain criteria, it will be blocked...from ALL computers across the network.

For example, if you use some file-sharing services to host images in your posts, all I see is a big empty space. The company software blocks anything from certain file-sharing sites. Some images, even in the signature lines, do not appear to me on my work computer depending on what you named the file, because certain "buzz words" trigger the anti-porn filter.

I actually have been somewhat concerned recently by some of the erotica signatures. Not because I am offended, but because between the images and the text, I'm afraid they will eventually trigger the anti-porn trigger.

I don't want to turn off signatures, though, because I LIKE some of the signatures and I use signatures sometimes to check out people's books.

 

[DCootey]

Very true, Stefan. But whereas on Amazon, someone would only see my covers if they searched for the titles, on this forum I could post in any area and the pictues would be seen by anyone who just clicked on the thread.

Angelina

That's the main reason I appreciate your diplomacy, Angelina. Some of the covers I see in the signatures are too sexually or violently graphic for my tastes. For their market they grab attention, but for those not in the market it can feel like getting poked in the eye.

Always a touchy subject since comfort levels vary from person to person. But since these are general audience forums anybody can wander into, I appreciate your efforts to be considerate.

I like Camille's idea. A banner could let you show a glimpse of your covers while providing a space for text. I'm surprised more people don't use that technique.

~Dˢ

 

[A_Writer_]

I don't want to turn off signatures, though, because I LIKE some of the signatures and I use signatures sometimes to check out people's books.

I like seeing people's signatures too, Julie. I think I am going to just make an inoffensive banner for my own signature, though.

Angelina

 

[A_Writer_]

That's the main reason I appreciate your diplomacy, Angelina.

Always a touchy subject since comfort levels vary from person to person. But since these are general audience forums anybody can wander into, I appreciate your efforts to be considerate.

I like Camille's idea. A banner could let you show a glimpse of your covers while providing a space for text. I'm surprised more people don't use that technique.

~Dˢ

Thank you, Douglas. I like Camille's idea too.
Time to fire up Photoshop!

 

[-Monica-]

(While I could never say that an author reading through these forums would never be under 16/18 it's highly unlikely that they would be. )

However...!
Covers for erotic fiction do not have to be pornographic (not that yours are) - suggestion is king.

There is a good reason that publishers would not put explicit images on the cover of an erotic novel...

Every enticing cover-picture that we see is obviously an erotic novel (be it poetic 'romance' or blow-for-blow-pun-almost-fully-intended)
...but, surely, non-pornographic covers win the day.
Human beings are thistles in the winds of suggestion. We are entranced by illusion. To have a story laid out before us like a plate of meat is... unsatisfying. at best.

I don't want (or mean to) start a feminist rant. In my view all men, women, amoebas, behemoths and right-angled triangles are equal in their proclivities...
But, that said, a cover that intones erotic rather that displaying it will always win out.

...a cover that intones erotica could never be banned... or be considered truly outrageous enough to be banned from a forum of writers.

 

[A_Writer_]

I agree, mythik...suggestion is king. My writing is very explicit but I try to keep my covers in the titillation zone.

Angelina

 

[intinst]

(While I could never say that an author reading through these forums would never be under 16/18 it's highly unlikely that they would be. )

However...!
Covers for erotic fiction do not have to be pornographic (not that yours are) - suggestion is king.

There is a good reason that publishers would not put explicit images on the cover of an erotic novel...

Every enticing cover-picture that we see is obviously an erotic novel (be it poetic 'romance' or blow-for-blow-pun-almost-fully-intended)
...but, surely, non-pornographic covers win the day.
Human beings are thistles in the winds of suggestion. We are entranced by illusion. To have a story laid out before us like a plate of meat is... unsatisfying. at best.

I don't want (or mean to) start a feminist rant. In my view all men, women, amoebas, behemoths and right-angled triangles are equal in their proclivities...
But, that said, a cover that intones erotic rather that displaying it will always win out.

...a cover that intones erotica could never be banned... or be considered truly outrageous enough to be banned from a forum of writers.

See, that's the problem. KindleBoards is NOT a writer's forum. "KindleBoards is an independent resource for people who own or have interest in Kindle - Amazon's wireless reading device. " (Quoted from the bottom of every page on KB.) So, there could easily be someone under 16 coming to this forum. Every post needs to conform to the Administrator's wish, "Please accept that we want every page on this site to be viewable by all ages." (Quoted from Forum decorum.)

 

[Ryne Billings]

See, that's the problem. KindleBoards is NOT a writer's forum. "KindleBoards is an independent resource for people who own or have interest in Kindle - Amazon's wireless reading device. " (Quoted from the bottom of every page on KB.) So, there could easily be someone under 16 coming to this forum. Every post needs to conform to the Administrator's wish, "Please accept that we want every page on this site to be viewable by all ages." (Quoted from Forum decorum.)

You're absolutely correct, though I agree with the previous poster that a cover that intones erotica is unlikely to offend enough to warrant action from a mod.

Suggestive images are seen quite frequently through so many mediums that even thirteen year olds are being de-sensitized(sp?).

 

[Guest]

Suggestive images are seen quite frequently through so many mediums that even thirteen year olds are being de-sensitized(sp?).

That is a poor excuse. The poor behavior of one person does not justify the poor behavior of another. Saying that other medium show images that are bad for kids therefore it is acceptable for questionable images to be on KB is like saying "Gee, mom, Sally's parents let her boyfriend sleep over. So why can't mine?"

Or as my mother always said "If everyone else was jumping off a bridge, would you?"

 

[tawnytaylor]

I've seen some pretty racy covers on this forum but nothing over the top graphic. I took a peek at your covers. They probably hover over the borderline between okay and questionable. I think creating a banner is a great way to use graphics to advertise your books while keeping things PG13.

 

[Ann in Arlington]

To reiterate: the final decision is really Harvey's. . . .I'm sure if he has a problem with any of the signature images used, he'll be in touch with the poster. Or you can be proactive and contact him first, as previously suggested.

If a poster has a concern about an image they see in a signature, he/she should report it and the moderators will look at it. Though, again, the final decision is Harvey's

Finally, as pointed out earlier: this board is a family board. It's not restricted to authors but is, rather, a Kindle fan site. . . and if you browse a bit you'll find lots of posts about kids who have Kindles. They could be on these boards on their own or surfing with their parents. Please keep that in mind as you're choosing images for signatures and avatars -- and that goes for all members, not just authors!

 

[Cheryl Bradshaw Author]

I've played it safe so far by using only text links in my signature, but I've noticed that other erotica authors DO have their cover images displayed.

Can anyone tell me if my covers are too inappropriate to put in my signature, please?

Thanks

Angelina

Angelina - I think it's very cool of you to care so much

-Cheryl

 

[A_Writer_]

I contacted Harvey and he said my covers were OK....but after the discussion here I think I will just use the text links and maybe a banner later.

Thank you, Cheryl 


Angelina