What's the policy on illustrated erotica?

[shadowjack]

I'm baffled. The Smashwords TOS says no graphic depictions of nudity or sex acts, photographic or illustrated. Yet the catalog is full of erotic graphic novels, and there's a sprinkling of illustrated erotica books as well. Is this a rule that's never enforced, or a rule that is used to get rid of content somebody finds offensive, or are these books simply getting away with it until someone notices?  Has anyone got a clue about this?

I have a series of illustrated books that have been very popular on TUMBLR, and I'd like to publish them on Smashwords, but not if I have to leave all the illustrations behind.

-ShadowJack

[Ted]

Can't speak for Smashwords so it may be best to contact them directly by uploading your work and see if it is accepted with your illustrations.

[jjmainor]

I tried to publish a comic on Smashwords, and it was rejected because of this very policy. The sex scenes were tame...the most I showed was nipples and buttocks, and I censored the panels to cover the nipples, just for SW. But that wasn't enough. Now I'm not creating erotica, rather the sex scenes were thrown in for a little treat in the way they're added to horror movies.

I found it funny that they'll publish rape porn and full incest as long as it's print, but tame, straight sex between husband and wife is a no-no.

With SW though, you can give it a try. If they reject it, that's the worst that can happen. With Amazon's policies, they can close your account completely and keep the unpaid royalties. If you have a doubt, submit it and see what they say. I would advise keeping the cover clean. Amazon's attitude toward visual sex/nudity is looser than SW's, but even the 'Zon doesn't want nudity on the cover. You might be better off though just to keep it exclusive with Amazon and leave it in Select.

[shadowjack]

Thanks for your responses, guys! I think I've got what I needed to know. If Smashwords is so prudish that nipples and butts (censored ones!) are too much for them, they're REALLY not going to like my work. Very odd policies. It looks like Smashwords isn't going to be my platform. I'll need to find a publisher that's more adult oriented, even if it means narrower distribution. Thanks again!

[jjmainor]

I know it's not popular to recommend Amazon, but from what I see, you can call it an art book and deflect the suggestions that it's...uh...not.