What's the Difference Between Spicy Romance, Erotic Romance, and Erotica?
- Jackie
- Feb 14
- 3 min read
With steamy/spicy romance becoming more and more common, I've seen a lot of authors become concerned that what they're writing has become erotic romance or even erotica.
They don't know what differentiates these genres and subgenres from each other, and they don't know how to market their stories or if Amazon will even allow them in the first place.
Thankfully, the differences between spicy romance, erotic romance, and erotica are quite clear cut. So, let's get into it
Spicy Romance
A spicy romance is less a subgenre of romance and more a descriptor of the nature and number of sex scenes. A spicy romance still requires that the main plot is the romance between characters. You could remove the sex scenes and still maintain the emotional core of the story.
This doesn't mean that the sex scenes are pointless, of course. Sex scenes can—and should—include some sort of character or relationship development and have some emotional core to the scene. It just means that the majority of the plot and emotional arc needs to occur outside of the sex scenes.
Erotic Romance
Erotic romance is a subgenre of romance. What separates it from a spicy romance is that the romance and the relationship development occur primarily in the sex scenes. Removing the sex scenes from an erotic romance would remove the emotional core of the story.
This doesn't mean that there isn't any plot outside of the sex scenes. Character development, relationship development, and some sort of emotional core should happen in the non-sex scenes in an erotic romance. It is still a romance, after all. It just means that the majority of the plot and emotional arc needs to occur during the sex scenes.
Erotica
Erotica is not a subgenre of romance. Erotica is its own genre with its own set of rules. Despite what some people believe, there is still a plot to erotica. It's not just gratuitous sex scenes slapped together.
To be considered erotica, a character must go through self-discovery in a sexual context. It's similar to a slice-of-life story, just focused on sex. And although there doesn't need to be any romance in erotica, it's a common subplot.
Erotica focuses on a character learning more about themselves through sex. Whether that's discovering a new kink with an old partner or learning that they actually don't want to be in a committed relationship and prefer flings, it's all erotica.
In summary, both spicy romance and erotic romance are considered romance but erotica is not. Spicy and erotic romance both require romance to be the main plot of the story.
The difference between spicy and erotic romance has nothing to do with the number of the sex scenes or how gratuitous they are. The difference is where the emotional arc and relationship develop. In spicy romance, it happens outside of the sex scenes; with erotic romance, it happens within the sex scenes.
Finally, the main plot of erotica is sexual self-discovery, and if there's any romance, it's a subplot.
Did this post help you clarify what type of book you're writing? Let me know in the comments or on social media (Facebook or Instagram)!
Happy writing!
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