Lovehoney Erotic Story Competition

Nearly done! Just wondering, how strict is the word limit please, anyone? I mean, is 100 words over no big deal or is that a no no? Might have to edit a few bits out x

I'm almost finished, but I'm trying really hard to keep it in the word limit. Have had to edit and move things around in my story, sadly.

Getting sick to death of reading my own words over and over. Think I'll do a "quickie" story after this one that wont require quite as much thought!

im worried that mine isnt original enough and dont have the time or energy enough to write another. does a weekend at an asylum count as original?

I have a question...

After submitting your story, do all legal rights of the story belong to Lovehoney, even if you don't win?

If I submit a story and it doesn't win, would I be able to use the story elsewhere later on, like publish it online? Or does Lovehoney still hold all the rights to it?

Avrielle_Aniko wrote:

I have a question...

After submitting your story, do all legal rights of the story belong to Lovehoney, even if you don't win?

If I submit a story and it doesn't win, would I be able to use the story elsewhere later on, like publish it online? Or does Lovehoney still hold all the rights to it?

 I'd like to know this too

Lovehoney - Gem wrote:

We're looking for exciting erotica between 2,500 and 3,000 words long. You don't need to worry about having previous experience and you can write about anything you like - as long as it's legal, of course.

What do you mean by 'as long as it's legal'? What sort of subjects won't be accepted? 

AliMc wrote:

Lovehoney - Gem wrote:

We're looking for exciting erotica between 2,500 and 3,000 words long. You don't need to worry about having previous experience and you can write about anything you like - as long as it's legal, of course.

What do you mean by 'as long as it's legal'? What sort of subjects won't be accepted? 

I would assume things like beastiallity, peadophillia, and such. I would also assume that underage sex wouldn't be accepted either, and non-consensual sex, ie, rape.

But it is a good question. There are other 'borderline' topics and I'm not sure if they come inside or outside of the rule. Things like bloodletting and knife play, or a story of a 16/17 year old who is old enough for sex, but under 18 so not considered adult.... A grey area that I have no idea on...

(Wish someone would come in and answer our questions!)

Avrielle_Aniko wrote:

AliMc wrote:

Lovehoney - Gem wrote:

We're looking for exciting erotica between 2,500 and 3,000 words long. You don't need to worry about having previous experience and you can write about anything you like - as long as it's legal, of course.

What do you mean by 'as long as it's legal'? What sort of subjects won't be accepted? 

I would assume things like beastiallity, peadophillia, and such. I would also assume that underage sex wouldn't be accepted either, and non-consensual sex, ie, rape.

But it is a good question. There are other 'borderline' topics and I'm not sure if they come inside or outside of the rule. Things like bloodletting and knife play, or a story of a 16/17 year old who is old enough for sex, but under 18 so not considered adult.... A grey area that I have no idea on...

(Wish someone would come in and answer our questions!)

 My story involves public sex. Is that illegal?

The rules say: "3. To enter, submit your story through the competition entry form as a Word (.doc) attachment, showing clearly which competition you are entering and your name, pseudonym (if used) and contact details."

It seems to suggest we should include this information not only in the submission form but also in the Word doc of the story, is that right? Should I add this info the start of my document too?

I'm asking largely because that pushes my word count over 3,000, which is obviously fine because it's not actually in the story, but I'm sort of worried someone might just look at the word count of the doc as a whole and reject it because of that, rather than only counting the story itself. I know it's a stupid worry, but I figured I should ask!

So, Lovehoney, should I include that info in the Word attachment too or is the form enough?

AliMc wrote:

 My story involves public sex. Is that illegal?

i think that should be okay...if it comes under the theme of being voiristic (sp?) if it was infront of small children etc then posibly not alowed but i think what they mainly mean is things like rape, murder and pedophilia. stuiff they wouldnt want to be seen as promoting

Blacksilk wrote:

The rules say: "3. To enter, submit your story through the competition entry form as a Word (.doc) attachment, showing clearly which competition you are entering and your name, pseudonym (if used) and contact details."

It seems to suggest we should include this information not only in the submission form but also in the Word doc of the story, is that right? Should I add this info the start of my document too?

I'm asking largely because that pushes my word count over 3,000, which is obviously fine because it's not actually in the story, but I'm sort of worried someone might just look at the word count of the doc as a whole and reject it because of that, rather than only counting the story itself. I know it's a stupid worry, but I figured I should ask!

So, Lovehoney, should I include that info in the Word attachment too or is the form enough?

 

This is a really good question and I am a bit worried about this too. I don't know if it means I was to add the information in the file name of the word doc or if I was to put the title and information at the start of the story actually in the word document.

I actually did neither. I just had my word doc witht the story in, the file name titled with the story name and the rest of the information is in the submission form.

I hope my story isn't rejected because of unclear rules...

same, i just saved mine as the title of my story. i wish we could submit a blurb for our story. do you think they will just write one for us.

 Ughh I hate thinking of titles

Just waiting to hear back from a colleague about the questions around the competition rules. In the meantime, I can answer this one:

AliMc wrote:

Avrielle_Aniko wrote:

AliMc wrote:

Lovehoney - Gem wrote:

We're looking for exciting erotica between 2,500 and 3,000 words long. You don't need to worry about having previous experience and you can write about anything you like - as long as it's legal, of course.

What do you mean by 'as long as it's legal'? What sort of subjects won't be accepted? 

I would assume things like beastiallity, peadophillia, and such. I would also assume that underage sex wouldn't be accepted either, and non-consensual sex, ie, rape.

But it is a good question. There are other 'borderline' topics and I'm not sure if they come inside or outside of the rule. Things like bloodletting and knife play, or a story of a 16/17 year old who is old enough for sex, but under 18 so not considered adult.... A grey area that I have no idea on...

(Wish someone would come in and answer our questions!)

 My story involves public sex. Is that illegal?

By legal, we were mainly ruling out bestiality, incest, paedophilia etc. 

Sexual intercourse in public is not illegal unless it is causing offence. If seen by a member of the public, those involved could be charged with indecent exposure, voyeurism or outraging public decency. The most important part would appear that you make attempts not to be seen. Sex in public in your story will most likely be OK, but it does depend on how it's handled of course.

Tupperwareheart wrote:

Nearly done! Just wondering, how strict is the word limit please, anyone? I mean, is 100 words over no big deal or is that a no no? Might have to edit a few bits out x

Hi, have heard back that 100 words over won't be a big deal.

Blacksilk wrote:

The rules say: "3. To enter, submit your story through the competition entry form as a Word (.doc) attachment, showing clearly which competition you are entering and your name, pseudonym (if used) and contact details."

It seems to suggest we should include this information not only in the submission form but also in the Word doc of the story, is that right? Should I add this info the start of my document too?

I'm asking largely because that pushes my word count over 3,000, which is obviously fine because it's not actually in the story, but I'm sort of worried someone might just look at the word count of the doc as a whole and reject it because of that, rather than only counting the story itself. I know it's a stupid worry, but I figured I should ask!

So, Lovehoney, should I include that info in the Word attachment too or is the form enough?

 

I've been told that entering the info clearly in the submission form is find - no need to include the details in the word doc. Though we won't be penalising anyone that has put it in both sections. 

Lovehoney - Alice wrote:

I've been told that entering the info clearly in the submission form is find - no need to include the details in the word doc. Though we won't be penalising anyone that has put it in both sections. 

Brilliant, thanks very much, Alice! 

I've entered mine now, so I now feel stupidly nervous! Fingers crossed and good luck, everyone :)

Lovehoney - Alice wrote:

Hi, have heard back that 100 words over won't be a big deal.

Wish i had known this before i submitted my story! i spent ages geting it within the 3000 word count.

 I've spent the last two hours editing and shortening my story and it's still not done.

Ughh I hope I finish it in time.

 I only managed 700 words, I just can't do this stuff haha! Good luck everyone :)