Romance readers are many things—loyal, curious, emotionally feral. But one thing they aren’t? Mind readers. And when it comes to steam levels, a little clarity can make all the difference between a favorite reread and a hard pass.
That’s why I created my own heat scale.
Not to oversimplify the wildly diverse landscape of romantic storytelling, but to give readers (and myself) a clear, intuitive shorthand. Whether you’re into yearning glances that never quite land or you want to know exactly who’s doing what, where, and how loud it got—your expectations deserve to be honored. And let’s be real: consent starts with clear labeling.
🔥 So… What Are Heat Levels?
In the romance world, “heat level” refers to how much sexual content is included in a story—and how explicit that content is. It’s about tone, detail, emotional intimacy, and how sex weaves into the arc of the characters. Is it the emotional climax? Is it part of the chaos? Is it sacred? Is it nasty?
Heat levels aren’t about shame or snobbery. They’re tools—for both the writer and the reader. They help guide the tone, the vibe, and yes, the degree of sweat required to read a scene without blushing in public.
📚 Why the Standard Labels Didn’t Work for Me
You’ve probably seen the usual terms floating around: closed door, open door, fade to black, steamy, spicy, sweet, erotic, sensual. And while they all mean something, they also often mean different things to different people.
One reader’s “steamy” is another’s “that’s it?” One person’s “tasteful fade to black” is another’s disappointment.
As someone who writes queer romance that shifts between tender yearning and moral-compromising lust, I needed something more specific, more intuitive—and honestly, a little more me. Something that didn’t sound like it came from a corporate focus group or the back of a Hallmark DVD.
✍️ Why I Made My Own Heat Scale
I write queer stories full of tension, tenderness, kink, chaos, and catharsis. Some of them smolder. Some of them combust. And some of them politely fade to black while still wrecking you emotionally.
So I created a scale with three simple tiers—enough to capture range, but clear enough to never confuse:
💙 Slow Burn
Friction implied, not described. Emotion comes first. You’ll feel everything… except the thrusting.
No on-page sex here—just tension so sharp it could cut you. Kisses that feel seismic. Stares that last too long. For readers who like to ache with their protagonists, who live for the quiet devastation of a touch that never quite lands.
🔥 Soft Focus
Clothes come off. Beds get messy. The camera pans away, but we all know what happened.
There’s sex, but it’s not the anatomical breakdown kind. It’s sensual, emotionally loaded, and more about what it means than how it’s done. Think indie movie vibes: implied moans, tasteful lighting, messy sheets, and a lot of feelings.
🚿 Full Steam
Explicit, no euphemisms. All fluids accounted for. Proceed with hydration. May or may not involve broken furniture and moral compromise.
This is where it gets graphic. No metaphors, no cutaways—just a front-row seat to all the action. Kinks? Maybe. Regret? Optional. Carnal detail? Absolutely. This is the tier for readers who want it hot, honest, and possibly unholy.
📎 A Note on Transparency — and the Graphic You’ll See Everywhere
To make things even easier for readers, I designed a visual infographic version of this heat scale—and I’ll be including it in every book I release from now on. Whether you’re reading digital or physical, the heat scale will be right there to help set the mood.
In addition, I’m adding a heat level disclaimer to every story summary, right up front with the blurb. That way, you know exactly what to expect before you ever crack open a chapter. Whether you’re here for soul-deep tension or wild, sweaty chaos, you’ll never be caught off guard.
I’ve included the infographic in this post below—it leans more gay than dark academia (aesthetic goals aside), but honestly… that’s kind of perfect. It reflects me, the stories I tell, and the community I write for.
Because your time, your boundaries, and your turn-ons? They matter.
🎯 Why Heat Levels Matter
At the end of the day, this isn’t about limiting stories. It’s about honoring the experience. Steam level isn’t just a tag—it’s a promise. One that says: “This is the kind of emotional and physical intimacy you’ll find here. Enter accordingly.”
For readers, it builds trust. For writers, it builds intention. For me? It’s a way to embrace the full spectrum of queer storytelling—from quiet yearning to loud moaning—without ever losing the thread of consent, clarity, and care.
I’ll always write what feels honest, messy, intimate, and sometimes a little unhinged. But I’ll also always let you know what kind of unhinged you’re getting.
Three tiers. No confusion. Just vibes.
-Ryder
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