I just scrutinized my latest sales report from Audible. My most popular audio shows on Audible this year, so far, are:
1. Susie Interviews Dan Savage
Of course, Dan is a love/hate-magnet, but I think the reason this show's popularity spreads by word of mouth is because he and I have known each other for so many decades, back when we were esoteric. I should really call this show"You Don't Know Dan Savage!"
2. Herpes Made Simplex and its sequel sister, Big News About Herpes and Sex
I'm afraid these shows are monster-popular because sadly, there is so LITTLE information and self-help about herpes that isn't just preaching and screaming about damnation. I am so sick of the medical profession not sharing what they KNOW about herpes I just had to blow the whistle.
3. Penetrating Gay Porn -- Susie Interviews Jeffrey Escoffier on his new history book
This is the big surprise for me on my Audible sales sheet. I think they have more gay men listeners than they know, or at least publicize. I wish they had a special gay section where I could anthologize all the great gay sex interviews I've done in one place.
4. G-Spot Special
If I put the word "g-spot" in every one of my titles, I could up my sales considerably, but it just makes me annoyed that everyone is so titillated by the idea that there's an Elevator Express Button to Female Orgasm Without the Bother. Nevertheless, I am eager to let people in on the state-of-the-art information about the G-spot and its relationship to Our CLIT, and so this is the Magna Carta!
5. The Anatomy of Sexual Disgust: "2 Girls, One Cup" and the Dirtiest Motel in America
Ha ha! This is a very intellectual and very explicit discussion of some of the most freakazoid smut in America. Rubberneckers, step this way!
6. Can Masturbation Save Men From Prostate Cancer?
Every guy over 38 is thinking about this topic and that describes a great deal of Audible's membership. I know the title is titillating, but we really do get into every nook and cranny. It's a national scandal that it's such a hush-hush topic.
7. The History of Black and Inter-racial Porn
I'm thrilled this is popular, although it probably attracts a lot of looky-loos who normally wouldn't give a hoot about my show. It's one of the strangest weirdest tales in Show Business, it ought to be part of Black History month, but I won't go holding my breath.
8. Best Sex Positions for Lesbians
LOL. I have a feeling that SOME of the sales of this title are not to Lesbians! ;-) But I don't care, 'cause anyone could learn from this.
9. Three Ways for Real People
This is one of my favorite "names" for a show and I'm glad people responded to it. I know the 3-Way fantasy is very hot in Hollywood right now, but their depiction is so absurd and unrealistic SOMEONE had to step up to the bat and say, "here's how it really goes down."
10. Iceland Bans Striptease - Are They Feminists or Prigs?
Ya gotta love Iceland.
Best-Selling Compilations
My Daughter the Porn Star
This is actually an anthology of all my best interviews and shows that concern personal stories about women (myself included) and the porn biz. It's a great compilation, so I'm glad people are finding it, even if the title is pure camp.
The Sex Remedy: Sex Experts Who Solve Sex Problems
Another compilation, this time my interviews with the MD's, shrinks, and lab researchers I most respect in sex science. I love this one, too.
The Frugal Nymphomaniac
12 month subscription -- In Bed With Susie Bright, weekly audioshow/podcast
This is always a big seller, it's obvious. It's by far, hands-down, the cheapest way to get my show, weekly. You pay, like, 70 CENTS a show instead of SIX DOLLARS per show. Frugal Sex Fiends, take note!
AudioBooks, the Meat & Potatoes
Over in my book area... all my books are more popular than my shows, because most people have no idea Audible has been broadcasting my weekly sex/culture/poltics show for over ten years. They don't know Audible does original programming.
Nevertheless, it's interesting to see the book hits too. The two most popular are a couple of the last Best American Erotica anthologies that I published for Simon and Schuster. It was a fifteen year series.
I would LOVE to change the titles of these gems, because they are all numbered by YEAR, and people think, "What do I care, reading stories from, 1996? Not to mention, 1993?
Well, I'll tell you why. Regardless of year, they're simply the best erotic literary fiction (killer writers, stories you won't forget easily) ever published. I could read you a story from 2000 or 1998, and you'd never know it wasn't written yesterday.
What can I say?— we were ahead of our time. I would suggest if you got one, and loved it, don't hesitate to grab them all. I produced them all with Stefan Rudnicki and his great cast of actors (I read some stories, myself) and we knocked ourselves out!
To get you started, here's what everyone else is buying:
Best American Erotica 2005: Includes Jane Smiley, Mary Gaitskill, Steve Almond and more...
"Best Of" Best American Erotica: The last of the series, it's half new authors, and half of my old favorites.
That's it! I'd love to hear your insights as well, whether you're a regular Audible listener, or you never heard of such a thing!
Photo Credits:
Top; Cookie Hunt, Susie at Seattle National Leather Association Conference. I loved this t-shirt.
Middle; Jill Posener from the original Stormy Leather catalog. Jill Posener and Honey Lee Cottrell did all the photography for Kathy Andrews leather designs. She was the first, the only tailor/designer to do sexy and fetish leather for women.Lulu Belliveau styled Ulrike (seated) and I, which is why we look so good. Seriously.
Bottom; BAE cover, 2005. Everyone likes this cover, I think because it's like a little suspenseful story all to itself.