Dear Diary,

Today was one of those whirlwind days, the kind where you read an online review of your book and it feels like someone used your heart as a dartboard. So, let’s dive into today’s unexpected turn of events: I received another review for “Quantum Mind: An Erotic Science Fiction Thriller.” Remember when I said I was prepared for any feedback? Spoiler alert: I wasn’t.

Let me set the scene. I was lounging in my favorite silk robe, sipping a perfectly brewed latte with extra froth, ready to indulge in some ego-stroking reviews of my latest masterpiece. I mean, let’s face it; a mix of futuristic tech and sizzling sexual tension is, in my humble and slightly biased opinion, a recipe for success. But then, WHAM! A review hit me harder than a dominatrix’s paddle.

“The female character lacks depth, only serving the main male protagonist… The book reeks of misogyny.”

Ouch, right? To make matters worse, the review was accurate in many ways. Maybe I disagreed about the misogyny, but I do agree that the female main character (FMC) was slightly shallow. I intended for the story to primarily focus on the main male character (MMC). In that light, maybe it was a little misogynistic.

In my defense though, I was preparing the FMC for her own sequel where she evolves from a basic girlie to a badass dominatrix who leads an international group of rebels, hackers, and insurgents. But I probably could have done more to begin her arc in the first book of the series.

Honestly, my first reaction? To whip out my trusty laptop and start rewriting the entire damn thing. I even sent my editor a note telling her that I would be sending her a rewrite. But as I sat down, fingers poised dramatically over the keyboard, a few thoughts occurred to me.

Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the room (or in my book, if you will) – the eroticism. I’m a firm believer that spicy science fiction is the equivalent of a zesty curry. Some like it mild; others want their taste buds set ablaze. And yeah, I’ve always been on the saucier side of life. I’ve never shied away from exploring the more… ahem, intimate depths of human nature. It’s a shame some readers felt my character was just a ‘prop’ when her steamy encounters were a way to challenge norms and delve into complex emotions.

But then, a moment of introspection. Maybe my work isn’t for the masses. Diary, do you remember when I tried marketing “Quantum Mind” in that Facebook romance book club? That grandma’s seething comment? I wish I saw the look on her face when she got to scene… let’s call it the ‘fairy butt plug scene.’ Oh boy, that would have been priceless!

As my old friend, Trisha, said after reading one particularly raunchy chapter: “Damn, this isn’t your grandma’s Star Trek!” And maybe she’s right.

That was the reason why I added the trigger warning at the start of the book:

Quantum Mind is an exhilarating science fiction journey set amidst a near future fraught with peril and technological marvels. It includes elements regarding war, suicide, murder, and death, vivid portrayals of suffering, graphic language, drugs, and explicit sexual activities, including straight and queer relationships, sex industry professionals, non-consensual acts, robot fetishism, and sex between fairies and demons. Readers who may find these themes distressing are advised to approach with caution. Now, gear up and prepare to enter the Quantum Age…

I realized that readers have different expectations from their ‘romance’ novels. While I love my stories to have multiple bed-shaking orgasms, not everyone is as promiscuous as me. Adding the trigger warning to the book and also to the Amazon description page, allows readers to opt-out before they get bent over and told to take that dick like a good girl.

Perhaps my MMC driven story caters to a niche crowd, the tech and finance bros who appreciate the balance of racy bedroom escapades and quantum mechanics; who secretly fantasize about being in the position of the MMC—the founder of a cutting-edge tech start up, fighting to save the world, with a hot and horny boss babe fawning over them.

So, while it’s tempting to cater to everyone and smooth out the edges of my art, maybe it’s okay to be polarizing. After all, some of the most passionate love stories are a blend of love and hate.

To all my critics out there: I hear you. I’m not promising I’ll change, but I promise I’m listening. And to those who’ve found a home in my smutty, science fiction erotic universe? Keep the lights dimmed and your minds open; there’s more to cum.

Yours cheekily,

Ariel

P.S. Oh, and Diary? Remind me to get thicker skin. 😉

XOXOXO