To those of you who write commissions...

[AllenWoody]

The thread on Bluesky and using it to promote one's work got me thinking about writing commissions. I don't need the money; it's just something that sounds like it might be fun to do, at least a few times.

I've received a few requests through Lit to write a commission, but they've all been too far off the mark of what I find appealing to write. The requestor wanted me to write to a very specific kink that just doesn't do it for me and I can't write to something that I don't think is sexy. So for those of you that have written commissions or at least looked into it I have a few questions:

• Where does one find clients (?) and do you, like me, get very specific requests that you may not be inclined to write?
• How did you structure cost? Per word? Fixed amount per story with some constraints, like maximum number of pages?
• When/how did you collect payment? Did you give a sample partway through? Collect all up front?
• How did you provide the work when finished? Email a .pdf?
• How do you treat the story once you've sold it? Does your client have exclusive ownership or would you consider negotiating that you can also post it to Lit or elsewhere?

I write slowly and I'm proud of my work so I'm certainly not interested in throwing a story into a rabbit hole for a few dollars, but in the right circumstances the experience of writing to specs sounds interesting.

Thank you!

 

[Erozetta]

The thread on Bluesky and using it to promote one's work got me thinking about writing commissions. I don't need the money; it's just something that sounds like it might be fun to do, at least a few times.

I've received a few requests through Lit to write a commission, but they've all been too far off the mark of what I find appealing to write. The requestor wanted me to write to a very specific kink that just doesn't do it for me and I can't write to something that I don't think is sexy. So for those of you that have written commissions or at least looked into it I have a few questions:

• Where does one find clients (?) and do you, like me, get very specific requests that you may not be inclined to write?
• How did you structure cost? Per word? Fixed amount per story with some constraints, like maximum number of pages?
• When/how did you collect payment? Did you give a sample partway through? Collect all up front?
• How did you provide the work when finished? Email a .pdf?
• How do you treat the story once you've sold it? Does your client have exclusive ownership or would you consider negotiating that you can also post it to Lit or elsewhere?

I write slowly and I'm proud of my work so I'm certainly not interested in throwing a story into a rabbit hole for a few dollars, but in the right circumstances the experience of writing to specs sounds interesting.

Thank you!

They found me. Yes, they asked for specific things. I refuse some and do others. I'm up front when I'm not into writing something.

I chose a stupid high price so people are less likely to ask (I've still had someone tale me up on it without trying to haggle and I was perplexed.) Fixed amount per story, my choice on word count and flow, one revision for content, and one for grammar.

I collected upon completion (knowing they could've stiffed me.) because if something came up to where I couldn't finish it, I didn't want to have to figure out how to refund them.

Emailed a PDF

I retain copyright, they can pay a higher price for exclusive rights to it.

 

[oneagainst]

Not commissions, also am not in this for the money, but if it's good I'll write it anyway. For example You Will Show Me Everything arose from a very specific request. If they deliver a plot bunny I like and I get to keep control, it's a win win as far as I can see.

It would be interesting to offer to write a story for free so long as I keep the IP and it goes up on Lit, providing the theme was strong enough. And, unlike what @Erozetta said above, part of the interest and the challenge is in writing something that you're not interested in, digging into it and finding out where that hook is that got the requester into the subject in the first place. My current story series isn't something I'm actually into, but I can understand how readers maybe are... it stretches the muscles.

 

[SimonDoom]

I've written a couple of stories at the request of people who approached me. It worked because their requests dovetailed perfectly with the kind of story I wanted to write (i.e., exhibitionist/hot wife-type stories). I didn't charge anything; it wasn't worth it and I wanted to write the story anyway. In both cases, the stories were very well appreciated and it was a satisfying experience both for me and for them.

 

[Erozetta]

Not commissions, also am not in this for the money, but if it's good I'll write it anyway. For example You Will Show Me Everything arose from a very specific request. If they deliver a plot bunny I like and I get to keep control, it's a win win as far as I can see.

It would be interesting to offer to write a story for free so long as I keep the IP and it goes up on Lit, providing the theme was strong enough. And, unlike what @Erozetta said above, part of the interest and the challenge is in writing something that you're not interested in, digging into it and finding out where that hook is that got the requester into the subject in the first place. My current story series isn't something I'm actually into, but I can understand how readers maybe are... it stretches the muscles.

The thing I wasn't into writing was a hardcore gang rape fantasy using photos to write the description of a very real girl he knew.

It wasn't that it was something I wasn't into, it was a moral line I wasn't willing to cross, particularly after they weaseled it in there after I started writing it and his requests slowly got more and more violent along with an "Oh, by the way, I have all of these pictures of this same exact girl from different angles and I want the character to look just like her." Nah, man, I'm out. (He's also why I won't take money before the story is finished.)

 

[lovecraft68]

The thing I wasn't into writing was a hardcore gang rape fantasy using photos to write the description of a very real girl he knew.

It wasn't that it was something I wasn't into, it was a moral line I wasn't willing to cross, particularly after they weaseled it in there after I started writing it and his requests slowly got more and more violent along with an "Oh, by the way, I have all of these pictures of this same exact girl from different angles and I want the character to look just like her." Nah, man, I'm out. (He's also why I won't take money before the story is finished.)

I'd have reported it to the local authorities with the person's e-mail especially if they're willing to share pictures, which then causes it to fall under revenge porn laws. Might go nowhere, could go somewhere, but when someone harbors that much hatred towards someone you never know if they're just some butthurt ex or a real psycho.

If it were me, I'd have gotten them to send the pics then reported them because I'm that kind of asshole.

Anytime someone asks me if I do commission my response is that it depends if the idea appeals to me or not, but I will not do actual non con.

I'd say 6 out of 10 say "Okay, great" and then proceed with a non con idea.

 

[oneagainst]

The thing I wasn't into writing was a hardcore gang rape fantasy using photos to write the description of a very real girl he knew.

OMG yes, that's very problematic, almost an abuse of you in being asked to write it. Yep, there are always red lines, and agree that the above is one.

 

[Voboy]

• Where does one find clients (?) and do you, like me, get very specific requests that you may not be inclined to write?

If a reader suggests a story or a sequel, and it's something that strikes my fancy, I might offer to write one. Other readers request a story outright. I think it's something much more common in the past than now. I won't write a story that I'm not interested in writing, even for money.

• How did you structure cost? Per word? Fixed amount per story with some constraints, like maximum number of pages?

I charged a flat rate up to 15,000 words (very easy for me to do), with a sliding scale for anything longer. I think I priced my time in increments of 1,000 words above 15k.

• When/how did you collect payment? Did you give a sample partway through? Collect all up front?

Deposit. 75% up front, the rest on completion. Or all up front. But these usually took me less than a week to write, so the whole timing thing was not particularly important. I don't provide a sample; I've got plenty of examples here on Lit. I do agree, up front, on whatever basics they want me to include.

• How did you provide the work when finished? Email a .pdf?

Yep.

• How do you treat the story once you've sold it? Does your client have exclusive ownership or would you consider negotiating that you can also post it to Lit or elsewhere?

It's their story. They've paid for it. They can do whatever they want with it. Once I sell it, it's no longer mine. I'd never think to ask if I could post it to Lit; if I were commissioning a story, and willing to pay for it, and the writer told me he intended to post it for free right after? Nah. Fuck that.

I write slowly and I'm proud of my work so I'm certainly not interested in throwing a story into a rabbit hole for a few dollars, but in the right circumstances the experience of writing to specs sounds interesting.

I think you're unlikely to find this is worth your time if you can't knock out stories quickly. You're not going to make very much money off this.

 

[Erozetta]

I'd have reported it to the local authorities with the person's e-mail especially if they're willing to share pictures, which then causes it to fall under revenge porn laws. Might go nowhere, could go somewhere, but when someone harbors that much hatred towards someone you never know if they're just some butthurt ex or a real psycho.

If it were me, I'd have gotten them to send the pics then reported them because I'm that kind of asshole.

Anytime someone asks me if I do commission my response is that it depends if the idea appeals to me or not, but I will not do actual non con.

I'd say 6 out of 10 say "Okay, great" and then proceed with a non con idea.

The pictures weren't nude, she was fully clothed. I looked for her on socials but couldn't find her. This was quite a few years ago and I was not in a great mindset to handle interactions with the police. According to everything I looked up, no crime was committed in wanting a fictional story of a crime to be written. If he'd given me details to write.... Potential crime to investigate. But it was just "blackmail 'cause he's awkward and she's into him so plays along" morphed into "violent gang rape, here's some candid shots of her."

 

[Erozetta]

One I did write was a daddy/daughter incest story with a lesbian girlfriend instigating the pairing.

 

[Bazzle]

My story The Breakup that is going live tomorrow was a "commission". A deviant art dweller asked me if I could write a story making his ex girlfriend start smoking.

So I did. I made it his fault!

 

[lovecraft68]

The pictures weren't nude, she was fully clothed. I looked for her on socials but couldn't find her. This was quite a few years ago and I was not in a great mindset to handle interactions with the police. According to everything I looked up, no crime was committed in wanting a fictional story of a crime to be written. If he'd given me details to write.... Potential crime to investigate. But it was just "blackmail 'cause he's awkward and she's into him so plays along" morphed into "violent gang rape, here's some candid shots of her."

Once any fictional idea becomes attached to a real person, and someone sends photos, even innocuous ones in the vein of "This is the girl you need to have gang raped" the game changes drastically. I get not everyone takes it that seriously, or wants to get involved, that's a personal choice.

In certain situations, I freely admit to being a rather venomous individual, and again, nothing happens fine, but it did get real once, and that once was worth it all day long.

 

[AllenWoody]

I think you're unlikely to find this is worth your time if you can't knock out stories quickly. You're not going to make very much money off this.

Yeah… I wonder how much motivation I’ll have after doing it once or twice, but I’m interested in trying it for the experience sort of like writing a kink that’s outside my comfort zone.

 

[Erozetta]

Once any fictional idea becomes attached to a real person, and someone sends photos, even innocuous ones in the vein of "This is the girl you need to have gang raped" the game changes drastically. I get not everyone takes it that seriously, or wants to get involved, that's a personal choice.

In certain situations, I freely admit to being a rather venomous individual, and again, nothing happens fine, but it did get real once, and that once was worth it all day long.

Oh, now I would report it so fast.

At the time I hadn't done therapy yet and was still an extremely anxious people pleaser. It was *hard* to tell the guy I couldn't write the story. I tried to force myself to write it to avoid that confrontation. But it made me physically ill. So, I gave him back his money, told him I couldn't do it, gave him the blackmail part I did write and blocked him.

Now... My reaction would be more along the lines of "what the fuck is wrong with you? I'm reporting this 'cause you should be on all the lists..."

 

[Bramblethorn]

The pictures weren't nude, she was fully clothed. I looked for her on socials but couldn't find her. This was quite a few years ago and I was not in a great mindset to handle interactions with the police. According to everything I looked up, no crime was committed in wanting a fictional story of a crime to be written. If he'd given me details to write.... Potential crime to investigate. But it was just "blackmail 'cause he's awkward and she's into him so plays along" morphed into "violent gang rape, here's some candid shots of her."

Even aside from the creepiness of this particular request, customers wanting to change the concept partway through is a frequent problem with creative commissions and it's a good idea to structure your agreements to protect against it. Most of the graphic artists I know have some kind of "major changes past this point cost extra and I reserve the right to reject them" provision in their contract.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Upwork, Reedsy, Cloud Ghostwriting, and Writer Hire are the ones I use. Rather, I should say, the ones I am on!

 

[Voboy]

Even aside from the creepiness of this particular request, customers wanting to change the concept partway through is a frequent problem with creative commissions and it's a good idea to structure your agreements to protect against it. Most of the graphic artists I know have some kind of "major changes past this point cost extra and I reserve the right to reject them" provision in their contract.

Yet another reason to work fast. Lol.

 

[cadeauxxx]

Sounds to me like you're struggling to find a bigger audience on that site.

For advertising anything, it's best to go somewhere where you're going to get the most views and attention.

I've managed to get commissions from Twitter where I've advertised for 6 years. But most of them find me on Literotica.

The best advice I can give you is to keep writing and putting content out there. Even if it's not getting votes or feedback. Someone out there will read it. If you submit on Literotica long enough and build up a library, the fans will come. It takes time, but they will come eventually.

 

[Rob_Royale]

Since I frequent the Story Idea forum, I get asked to "write about my hotwife" pretty frequently. Only one guy had a plot I could see myself writing about, and he balked at the idea of paying me. Apparently some think that because we enjoy writing our time is free.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I've done a few stories fro people here and another free site (the other one I post on) as a commission. I didn't charge them as I retained the rights and stipulated that I'd post it for sales as well. Most of my ghostwriting is podcast scripts and blog posts for people. But I work with one mystery writer and one erotic novelist. My Monday through Friday routine (typically) consists of getting up at 5:00 and writing until 8:30 on paid work. Getting Donnie up (if he isn't already), fixing us breakfast, and working, as I can, on my paid work until he goes to preschool. Throughout the mornings, I play some on here between caring for Donnie and Cat, the cat, working for pay, and, if I can, writing my stories. In the afternoons, Mondays and Tuesdays, I get to the paid work finished and write for me. Usually, I polish off any paid work on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday mornings. I work all afternoon until he returns on my stories in the late part of the week.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Not just people wanting you to write for them either. Friends come over for coffee, to chat, or spend their idle time with me. Like my writing isn't important, doesn't put food on the table, and isn't a real job!

Since I frequent the Story Idea forum, I get asked to "write about my hotwife" pretty frequently. Only one guy had a plot I could see myself writing about, and he balked at the idea of paying me. Apparently some think that because we enjoy writing our time is free.