The Fine Art of Erotic Talk: How to Entice, Excite and Enchant Your Lover with Words by Bonnie Gabriel

$18.00

Paperback

The misstep that Bantam (now owned by Random House) made when publishing my book, The Fine Art of Erotic Talk:  How to Entice, Excite and Enchant Your Lover with Words is the graphic they selected for the cover.   Since they knew the book would appeal more to women than men, they disregarded my advice for a pastel cover that featured an elegant drawing of a romantic liason between lovers for a glossy black cover page with a pair of bright red lips.   When I received the cover pasteup I showed it to several friends.  Most of the women disliked it, while some of the men found it "hot".  (Both graphics appear on my website www.lovetalk.org.)

I believe the cover  misrepresents the content of the book, because The Fine Art of Erotic Talk does not simply dwell on graphic sex talk, but covers the full gamut of  verbal lovemaking.  There is much more subtlty and variety in the material than the cover would imply.   As I say in the first chapter, "Certainly 'talking dirty' can add an earthy, lusty element to lovemaking......................but erotic talk is also a form of communication you can use in those moments when the quality of your desire is more delicate or playful or tender, or when you feel a deep appreciation for the pleasure your mate is bringing into your life." 

Alas, the editor and publisher did not get this.  After 10 years in circulation, the book is still bringing in a modest royalty,  but I believe it would have better targeted the audience it was meant for, with the softer graphic.