How to Write a Dirty Story: Reading, Writing, and Publishing Erotica

This is an amazingly useful book for anyone who fantasizes about writing professionally.
There is excellent, practical advice about helping your writer's mind think in a writing way, overcoming writer's block, and generally lubricating the thought to words-on-paper process.

The book mixes instruction and advice with autobiographical tidbits that keep the reading interesting. There is advice and instruction on the practical aspects of writing professionally, including how to choose a copy editor, how to choose a publisher, and why you really do need an agent before you will make a living with your writing. There are also sections on self-publishing and e-publishing which are very much up to date.

Susie makes it clear that writing professionally is hard work and the money will come in slowly after many years of actually writing and writing and writing. If you are one of those people who "wants to be a writer" but never actually writes anything prepare for a slap in the face. Stop dreaming of eventually writing a home-run novel on the first try and retiring to your own island in the Caribbean. It's not going to happen. Just start actually writing.

Oh, right, the "dirty book" part. It's in there too. Fun and funny reading with practical advice from an expert. But really, this is a book about writing professionally. Susie narrates the book in her chuckly way which can sometimes be distracting but she speaks professionally and the reading is clear and lively. Despite the title, the book is not intended to titillate so don't expect much in that department.

If you are interested in writing professionally on any topic you will find this book extremely useful.

Susie Bright provides great information about how to write erotica for those just getting started. Her advice about how to avoid some of the most common mistakes writers make on the page and when conducting the business of writing is also valuable. I wish she had devoted more time to that kind of information and less time to giving her bio at the beginning of the book. Some of it was interesting but I thought it went on too long. The reference materials she provides are also excellent. Good job, Susie.

Full disclosure. Susie Bright gave me this audiobook.
I'm a former full-time journalist who hasn't written a book yet. And I'm interested in writing erotica.
Susie's performance is actually unbelievable. By which I mean, it's written so naturally for the ear, and it's in her own voice, that I can't believe she's actually reading it. Her performance is convincing, unforced and natural.
She also makes additional information available through her email address -- so if you want the writers' resources, you can mail her for them.
The book's organisation is interesting and relevant.
I am a sporadic listener of Susie Bright's "In Bed" and I find her podcast a bit self-indulgent and self-obsessed sometimes.
This book is great. I recommend it heartily. It surpassed my expectations (which is why the review title is "surprisingly good.")
If you're interested in writing erotica, this is the place to start.

The subject and some of the suggestions are interesting.

The exercises inspire creativity.

Although upbeat and engaging, there were times when it felt like the author was trying too hard to keep my attention. There's way too much random giggling that I didn't understand.

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Wow! What's not to like? Susie's voice seems so vibrant to me.

She has a lot of good information packed into this book. I've listened to it six or seven times now.

Her way of narrating the book is absolutely perfect.

Well, being that it's a book about writing erotica, I doubt I could post a memorable idea here!Seriously though, she hammers home the idea that writing erotica is something that you must continually work at. It's more than just dirty stories; it's really an art form that requires a true artist.

Great book. Liked it better on audio than I did in paperback.