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EricaBeale.com

Fingers on Fire! A Girl Has Stories

When the Writing Won’t Stop

I have been on fire lately. I’ve managed to write almost every day for the last month or so, and it’s been absolutely amazing. Honestly, I wish I could devote more of my day to writing, but I do have a day job. Hey, maybe someday I’ll hit the lotto and can just spend my days creating new works.

It would help if I actually played the lottery…

Anyway, here are all the new things I’ve been working on.

Cosmic Cons for Love and Profit

Cosmic Cons is up to 6 episodes. Not a lot of reads yet, but I’m not expecting a whole lot from that one except my own enjoyment. Don’t forget to check it out on Amazon Vella. The first 3 episodes are free, you know!

Lady Olubayo’s Bordello

Ah, my smutty one-off in the Crimson series. It was my first Vella, which I had abandoned after 5 episodes. However, it bothered me to leave it undone, so I freaking finished it. That’s right, by 3/12/2023, all 8 episodes will be available on Vella. After a month or so, I’ll combine the story and put it on Amazon KDP.

Crimson Series

Hell-Bent is coming on Tuesday! If you haven’t checked it out, I posted a preview on the blog the other day. The story will be available on both Amazon and Smashwords for $2.99.

In celebration of both eBook Week and the new release, The Crimson Series stories are available for either free or half-price on Smashwords. Currently, only Bait is free. That one’s my baby, so I hope you check it out. The promo is good until 3/11/23

In the meantime, enjoy the trailer for Hell-Bent!

Powering Through WORKS!

It’s been rough finally finding a routine that works for me. It’s not perfect by any means, but giving my all to my stories has been a very fulfilling experience. That being said, don’t forget to check back every Monday for a new blog. Next week, I’ll probably write a review of The Queen’s Price by Anne Bishop. I’m praying it makes me less mad than The Queen’s Weapons!

Until next time, my friends. Keep Your Mind in the Gutter!

An Erica in the Writing Wilds

Creativity Flowing like the Spice Melange

For real, though, I don’t know where this creative burst has come from. It’s been friggin’ insane in my brain for the last couple of weeks. I’m talking about writing, editing, making ebooks…My entire days have been filled with words. I hope they’re decent ones!

By the time you read this, I’ll be back at my day job. I’m expecting my energy to get zapped out of existence. I’m hoping not, but historically, that’s what has happened. But, with any amount of luck, my muse will stay with me.

But these last couple of weeks has been amazing. Even with the pain of my hidradenitis, I’ve been feeling spiritually fulfilled. I’ve loved every second of it, even the times when what I worked on frustrated the hell out of me.

(Ugh, don’t even get me started on the story I’ve been working on for the last three days. It’s done, just not edited.)

So, what have I been up to

I’ve been building my ebook catalog. Some of them were already available, but I wanted to go back in and get some editing done. Plus, they needed updated covers desperately.

If you’d like to purchase any of these books, most of them are available on both Amazon and Smashwords. Tools of his Trade is only available on Kindle Unlimited.

Also, I’ve joined Literotica and Medium for posting a few freebies now and again. So far what I have on Literotica is doing very well. Medium, it’s too soon to tell.

Imparting Knowledge (hopefully)

In addition to writing, I’ve been making videos about things I’ve learned since delving into these projects. So far there are two: Canva vs Snappa for free covers and a quick rundown of getting Premium status on Smashwords (that’s coming tomorrow at 10 AM. Check it out!)

Here is the Canva/Snappa video for your viewing pleasure.

Check out both my YouTube Channels:

I also have a Twitch channel where I stream Fridays at 9PM EST.

Making a more educational video was a struggle at first, but after I got used to recording myself speaking, it wasn’t too bad. The editing of the video took nearly a lifetime. Still, in the end, if it helps someone, it’s well worth the work.

Keeping up with my Mind

I doubt I’ll keep going at my current pace once real life starts kicking in again. Also, I never know when my body is going to be a total jerk and take me down for the count (AGAIN). With any amount of luck, I’ll still feel the creative buzz through me because it truly makes me happy. Writing brings me a lot of joy.

Come back and see me soon! Next week I’ll have another Hidradenitis post for you unless something changes the topic.

Until next time. Keep your Mind in the Gutter!

Twitch Stream Archive|College Craze 1

I will be doing Twitch Streams, mostly of dating sim kind of games on Friday nights at 9PM EST. Most of the games are pretty adult. I’ll still post them here so you can get to the link easily.

This is one hour of College Craze by PrettyInk. It is an adult life simulator and dating sim where you play a college freshman getting her freak on. The tagline is “F**k around and find out” so you know what you’re in for.

My Twitch Stream

Four Weeks of Smut Writer

btfmdn

Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and to Write from my Inner Gutter

I can’t believe it’s been four weeks since I started my second attempt at adopting my Smut Writer persona. Honestly, I had given up on myself about it. Not sure why. Insecurity? Eh, it’s most likely the #1 reason.

But, despite that insecurity, I’ve done it. I pushed myself and now I’m proud to say I’ve published four shorts stories. It’s a wonderful feeling to say I’ve done something I’ve dreamed about for years.

Full disclosure: I did have one of my stories published before, but it was so long ago now. And that was before Smut Writer. It needed a little razzle-dazzle, so I fixed it up and released it.

I’m not going to lie, it’s been a challenge. I didn’t know a lot of the self-publishing information when I got started. If you’re looking to unleash your inner-Smut Writer, here are a few things I learned in my travels.

Getting Revved Up

Reddit can be a dumpster fire depending on where you’re looking. Luckily, there are still some great spaces. R/eroticauthors is ESSENTIAL READING. Their FAQ alone should be your holy grail for getting your erotica or romance writing grove on. I haven’t posted there yet (I’m shy…), but the community seems very kind.

The Write Stuff: Self-Editing Edition

Since I’m doing this for fun instead of profit (though I did manage to make a few dimes off of my free books), I’ve been trying my best to self-edit. Allegedly, erotica readers are a little more forgiving.

I’ve tried a few of the editing programs available out there. Here how I feel about them:

Autocrit: Gave the free trial a shot. It had a lot of stats and the interface wasn’t too hard to use. The monthly cost isn’t horrible if you’re really planning to dive into writing. The turn off for me was that you had to ask to end your trial. Like chatting with someone to ask. That’s not cool.

Grammarly: It’s fine for a free app. I didn’t like it for my actual story writing. However, for blogging it’s been essential.

Hemmingway: This one was good. You can’t do a whole lot at once on the web version, but the app makes it easy to find your writing’s flaws.

Prowritingaid: End the end, I went with this one. The toolbar in MS Word and the ease of use won me over. Definitely worth the $20 a month, for sure.

Pixabay, I Choose You!

Turns out, creating the covers for my stories is my favorite part of the process. I can’t claim to have any real talent. However, seeing the story in “lights,” even due to my own creation, made my work feel real.

Pixabay is the place to find good pics (though I wouldn’t kick Morguefile out of bed). I haven’t not found the right pics to do the job so far. Paired with GIMP, the best free image editor ever (IMO), you can easily come up with a cover. Extra bonus, get yourself some free for commercial use fonts at Just make it look like something you’d want to pick up to read yourself!

Smashy-Smashy vs The ‘Zon KDP

So far I’ve released stories on both Smashwords and Amazon KDP. Both are great platforms. However, if I had to pick between the two, it would be the ‘Zon. Smashwords is good, but getting your story properly uploaded is a chore. Hell, you have to upload it as a .doc file instead of .docx. How dare you? Also, it takes a lot of tinkering to get the file perfect for Premium status on Smashwords.

The biggest bonus in Smashwords (sidenote: I almost wrote Smashmouth EVERY TIME) is posting your story happens quicker.

‘Zon’s biggest bonus is enrolling in Kindle Direct. Money for page reads on Kindle Unlimited? Sign me up!

Despite my bias, I will be going between the two platforms for the three series of stories I’m working on: Knightcrest and Lady of the Wood on Smashy; Her Majesty’s Courtesan on KDP.

Click here for all my recent short story releases!

Burnout is a BEAST

Big lesson I’ve learned: pace yourself. Writing is a marathon, not a race. The push to get a new story out every week has given me drive, but also wiped my brain. Happy I gave it a shot, though. Sit back and enjoy the scenery. Let that story you’re working on blossom with time. No rush required.

I’m going to give a every two-week story drop a shot. I feel like that will be more manageable for a lady with a day job. Next up will be Delighted Bite: Tales from Knightcrest II.

Erica Beale, Smut Writer

It has been great to feel so productive. Four stories and still going strong. I’m glad I gave me a chance. Nothing may ever come of it, but at least I did it. Be sure to check back soon for more of my sweet sensual goodies, cuz a girl is in the mood.

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