Bad On Paper Podcast Episode Summary

Title: Obscure Erotica: Ho-Ho-Holiday Edition
Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
Release Date: December 4, 2024

Introduction to the Holiday Edition

In the Obscure Erotica: Ho-Ho-Holiday Edition episode of the Bad On Paper podcast, hosts Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter delve into the quirky and unconventional world of holiday-themed erotica. Becca initiated the episode as a unique Christmas gift for their listeners, aiming to entertain with the strangest erotica available on Kindle Unlimited. The hosts set the tone by warning listeners of the explicit and X-rated nature of the content, ensuring that the episode caters to an adult audience seeking something beyond the typical romantic fare.

Personal Updates: Highs and Lows

Before diving into the erotica discussions, both hosts shared personal updates:

• Olivia's High: Olivia recounted a relaxing Thanksgiving spent with family in Charleston, enjoying her father's cooking, seeing her brother, and attending a show of Wicked. She expressed feeling refreshed and optimistic about the upcoming year ([00:35] – [02:23]).

• Becca's High: Becca highlighted hosting a successful Friendsgiving dinner party, where her cooking, especially the stuffing, received praise. She expressed enthusiasm about making it an annual tradition ([02:55] – [04:34]).

• Olivia's Low: Olivia joked about her cluttered home post-Christmas decorations, mentioning the pine needles from their real Christmas tree and ongoing furniture reupholstering projects ([05:15] – [06:20]).

• Becca's Low: Becca discussed the anxiety surrounding the submission of her new book draft, grappling with imposter syndrome and the pressure of finalizing a project that spans two years ([06:29] – [07:56]).

Exploring Holiday-Themed Erotica

Becca and Olivia embarked on their exploration of holiday-themed erotica, primarily focusing on titles available through Kindle Unlimited. Their objective was to spotlight the most bizarre and unconventional erotica that aligns with various holiday themes.

Spotlight Book: "Santa Claus is Going to Town on Me" by ML Eliza

The centerpiece of their discussion was "Santa Claus is Going to Town on Me," a novella by ML Eliza that epitomizes the peculiar blend of holiday magic and explicit erotica.

• Plot Overview: The story revolves around Holly, a woman who despises Christmas. On Christmas Eve, amidst a burglary scare at her home, she encounters Santa Claus, portrayed not as the jolly figure of tradition but as an ageless, shapeshifting alien-like entity named Klaus. Their immediate and intense physical attraction leads to a series of explicit encounters, with Santa possessing extraordinary abilities, such as altering his size and generating snow during intimate moments ([15:19] – [31:10]).

• Character Analysis:

  • Holly: Depicted as a cynical and sexually frustrated individual who unexpectedly becomes involved with the mythical Santa.
  • Klaus (Santa Claus): An otherworldly being with shapeshifting powers, described with non-human features like shimmering silver pubic hair, elongated ears, and the ability to grow multiple arms and tongues during sexual encounters ([14:47] – [16:03]).

• Notable Quotes:

  • “I've always hated Christmas, but this year will be different because this year I'm going to fuck Santa Claus.” ([24:30] – [25:05])
  • “If I'm doing this, I might as well go all the way. It isn't enough that I'm standing in my underwear on Santa's sleigh. I want it all.” ([25:05] – [25:29])
  • “Because, darling, much like Christmas, I only come once a year.” ([54:33] – [54:34])

• Reception and Ratings: The book garnered mixed reviews, reflecting its polarizing nature. On Amazon, it holds a 4.1 rating with approximately 500 reviews, while on Goodreads, it has a 3.33 rating from 1,988 reviews. Feedback ranges from appreciation of its creativity and writing style to criticism over its excessive and unconventional explicit content ([41:24] – [43:58]).

• Spiciness Scale: Both hosts rated the book a four on their spiciness scale, acknowledging its graphic and unconventional sexual content without venturing into entirely new sexual territories ([28:13] – [28:16]).

• Series Continuation: The book is part of a series titled "Holly Gets," with subsequent installments planned around different holidays, including Holly Got Corked (New Year's Eve), Crushed (Valentine's Day), and others slated for St. Patrick's Day and April Fool's Day ([58:45] – [59:30]).

Comparative Analysis: Other Holiday Erotica Titles

Beyond Eliza's work, the hosts briefly touched upon other holiday-themed erotica, noting the existence of various subgenres such as monster erotica and inanimate object romances. Examples include:

• Elfed by Ginger Cain Kane: Features a sex-crazed elf trapped in a dildo, requiring an incantation to be released.
• Tinsel and Tentacles: Combines holiday themes with tentacle eroticism.
• Abraham Lincoln's Sex God of the Moon: Historical fiction intertwined with erotic elements.
• Conquered by Clippy: Incorporates the unlikely figure of Clippy, the Microsoft Office assistant, into an erotic narrative.

Becca expressed an interest in potentially creating her own holiday erotica, contemplating it as a viable side hustle due to the creativity and uniqueness observed in these works ([32:12] – [33:00]).

Insights and Conclusions

Becca and Olivia highlighted the surprising depth and variety within the niche of holiday-themed erotica. They discussed how these works blend traditional holiday elements with explicit content, often taking bold creative liberties that can both entertain and alienate readers. The hosts acknowledged the existence of a dedicated, albeit varied, readership that appreciates the unconventional narratives, despite the genre's polarizing reception.

Olivia noted a shift in her perception of holiday symbols, such as candy canes and doors, now interwoven with sexual connotations due to their exploration of erotica. This blend of the familiar and the explicit underscores the unique position of holiday erotica within the broader literary landscape.

Final Thoughts

Wrapping up the episode, Becca and Olivia reflected on the experience of navigating through bizarre and explicit holiday-themed stories. They encouraged listeners to explore these unconventional narratives if intrigued by erotica's expansive possibilities. The hosts also shared personal musings on their reading habits and interests, including Olivia's newfound obsession with Antiques Roadshow and Becca's creative ventures in designing custom merchandise.

As they prepared to take a three-week hiatus, they teased their upcoming episode on the best books of the year, promising to continue engaging discussions upon their return on January 8th.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Olivia at [24:30]: “I've always hated Christmas, but this year will be different because this year I'm going to fuck Santa Claus.”
• Becca at [54:33]: “Because, darling, much like Christmas, I only come once a year.”
• Reviewer Peter at [42:14]: “If you can get over the traditional looking Santa going to pound town, then this is the book for you.”

Conclusion The Obscure Erotica: Ho-Ho-Holiday Edition episode offered a deep dive into the unconventional and often shocking world of holiday-themed erotica. Through detailed analyses and candid discussions, Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter provided listeners with a comprehensive look at how traditional holiday motifs can be transformed into explicit narratives, challenging both creators and readers to push the boundaries of genre storytelling.