Sex

9 Erotica Sites With Steamy Stories For One-Handed Reading

Is it getting hot in here?

by Suzannah Weiss
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
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Once upon a time, you had to buy a romance novel if you wanted written masturbation material. But now, thanks to online erotica, that time is long past. There are free erotica sites to suit virtually every kink and proclivity.

I developed a love for erotica during high school summer vacations, when I’d sneak down to the store by my family’s beach house to get Cosmo, hoping nobody caught on that I was really just reading it for the “red-hot reads.” When I got my own computer for college, it occurred to me that I didn't need to be sneaky anymore: I could search for red-hot reads online. Then, I realized those were just a tiny portion of the sexy stories available on the internet (not to mention a pretty narrow representation of human sexual desire, but that's another conversation).

After many a Google search ranging from “erotica for women” to “exhibitionist erotica” to “nifty erotica,” let's just say my spicy reading list has become a lot more varied over the years. Here are a few sites to heat up your winter nights — or keep you occupied any time of year.

1

Literotica

Since all sorts of users post stories on Literotica, it doesn’t always contain the most professional-sounding writing, but I will give it one thing: There’s a lot of it. You can search through oddly specific categories, from “mind control” to “sci-fi and fantasy” to “loving wives,” and browse the most popular stories to bypass the rest. You can also see user ratings to decide what to listen to next, and, if you’re feeling extra inspired, you can even submit your own story. Oh, and the interface is a serious ‘90s throwback.

2Nifty

These erotic stories are geared specifically toward LGBT people, but they can be hot reads for anyone, especially considering that some of the most popular porn categories among women are “lesbian” and “gay men.”

3Clitical

As the name might suggest, Clitical is dedicated to female masturbation. In addition to product reviews and masturbation tips, it’s got a library of female-friendly erotic stories and poetry to give you a little extra inspiration for your next solo sesh.

4Lush Stories

Lush Stories, another ‘90s throwback in design, has over 43,000 sexy stories! If you can’t find one that turns you on, you’ll probably at least find one that makes you laugh. Plus, you can write and submit your own if you get inspired. There’s even a chatroom if you’re looking to discuss, uh, themes.

5Libida

Come to this women-centered site for sex toys and sex ed, but stay for the creative, plot-driven erotica.

Check out “Pottery Yarn,” a story about a man who brings his roommate a dildo after hearing her playing with sex toys in her room.

6Aurore

Aurore, a feminist, sex-positive website describes its content as “erotica, updated,” and aims to “build a community empowering people to express their sexuality through writing.” That means you, as the reader, will have a range of written material — not to mention artsy photography that screams college lit mag — to sift through, from vanilla to queer to kinky.

7Quinn

Created by Caroline Spiegel, the sister of Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, Quinn is a hub of written erotic stories and audio erotica, so there's a little something for every mood. The content is designed for women, providing an alternative to the patriarchal conventions of mainstream porn that often only focuses on the male gaze.

If you want to get creative, you can also submit your own writing and voice recordings.

8The Casual Sex Project

This collection of real-life sex stories is part-erotica and part-ethnography. It’ll satiate not only your sexual desires, but also any voyeuristic impulse to learn about how other people are getting freaky (admit it, you’re curious). It’s color-coded by category of story, from “one-night stand” to “sex with an ex” so you can easily find what you’re in the mood for.

9BDSM Cafe

Browse the digital aisles of the BDSM Cafe and have your pick of erotic novels, short stories, movies, and a live sex cam if you’re looking to switch it up. There’s an education component, too: If you’re interested in learning more about submissive and dominant lifestyles, check out the “resources” tab, which has articles on how to get started and BDSM safety tips.

As you can see, there are plenty of free erotica sites to choose from to suit whatever saucy mood you’re in. So wipe those smudges off your glasses and settle in for a cozy night of sexy reading.

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