Content Guidelines
Freedom of Speech
Restrictions
Prohibited Content
Black Lotus Books has zero tolerance for pedophilia. Any works of fiction depicting persons under the age of 18 engaging in sexual acts, including masturbation, will be rejected for publication.
You May Depict Minors When Appropriate
We understand that when telling a story, sometimes it’s necessary to include descriptions of minors.
Some examples might include: describing members of your character’s family, flashbacks to meaningful childhood experiences, or if your audience needs to understand why a woman might be lactating (clearly, she has an infant nearby).
If your inclusion of children is pertinent to the plot, we will except it. However, under no circumstances will we tolerate any depictions of minors engaging in sexual or explicit acts.
Claiming Characters Are Over 18 Is Not Enough
A disclaimer in the preface of your book or story that states all characters are at least 18 years of age or older is not enough. Black Lotus Books does not require such disclaimers, nor do we use them.
It should be absolutely understood that your characters are of age by your writing. We discourage sexual descriptions of ‘barely-legal’ teenagers. If your character is a recent high school grad on their way to college, and the stage is appropriately set for some sexual adventure; something inherent in modern life, we’ll allow it.
What we won’t allow is gratuitous use of such words as “teenager”, “teen”, or “teenage”, which are intended to stoke the arousal of ephebophiles; pedophiles who prefer children between the age of 15 and 17, and young adults under the age of 19. Again, if your character needs to be 18 or 19 years old to tell the story, we welcome your manuscript.
Age Difference Romance and Erotica
Black Lotus Books welcomes all romance and erotica where extreme age difference is the theme or included in the story. However, the youngest age of a character engaged in these relationships and encounters must be no less than 18 years of age.Requirements
Your Book Must Contain Taboo Material
Taboos Do Not Have to Be the Theme
If you have a romance, erotica, or dark fantasy that includes one or more of these topics now and again, then it constitutes as taboo. Taboo material does have to be the overlying theme of your book, although it can be if you choose.
Your Story Must Have Literary and Artistic Value
In order to comply with Wyoming state law, your material must have artistic or literary value. In other words, your work needs to bring something meaningful to the table. If you’re not sure if your book has artistic value, send it our way and we’ll let you know.