I think you’re probably right as far as young adult fiction goes. Under-age sexuality must be the largest elephant in the room in our culture at present. But as far as adult literary fiction is concerned, honestly, pick up a Houllebecq novel. There is a LOT of sex in it. It’s just horrible sex. So I don’t think publishers have a problem with descriptions of sex, as long as that description is not likely to be arousing to most readers. And, to be fair, I’m not sure it is the publishers who are the problem here. I think it might very well be the writers.

If you look what was publishable via “serious venues” in the 70ies and what makes it past the gatekeepers these days it’s obvious what is happening. A large part of it is self-censorship. Another part is censorship, plain and simple, even if it disguises as peer pressure.

I wonder how much of authors’ reluctance to write real/interesting/dimensioned sex scenes can be attributed to their higher powers? I’ve read a few articles recently about YA authors being forced to “straighten” gay and lesbian characters, or of characters of colour getting whitewashed etc. Not directly relevant to the topic at hand, of course, but I’m sure editors and publishers have a lot of influence in how a sex scene is handled.

It is both unnatural and coy to have your main character motivated by an obsessive love about someone and then either skip the sex altogether, or paint it as hollow and alienating. In writing, we are told it is a virtue to write believable, realistic characters acting in real and believable ways. But if real people kept having the horrible kind of sex they have in literary novels, I think the human race would probably grind to a halt.

I take your point that sex is an important part of the human experience, but I also suggest that it is not so for everybody all of the time, and not all artists are called to address all aspects of the human experience. I don’t disagree with you that some so-called literary writers shy away from writing about sex for the reasons you explain so well, I’m just hesitant about the implicit generalisation: namely that if you choose not to explore sex in your art-form, it’s because of laziness or cowardice, rather than a choice.

After all, food and digestion are a pretty vital part of the human experience too, and many artists leave that out of their work.

I think sex scenes can hold a magnifying glass up to human emotions and motivations.

Plus they’re hot, they’re a little treat, they can sweep you away.

I think if we started allowing ourselves to enjoy the idea of sex publicly – like we enjoy food – then things would be better. I mean, we do do that, just most of the world pretends there’s something wrong with it, instead of something beautiful and powerful and excellent about it. And so we make the sex industry tawdry and exploitive instead of positive.

I think good sex writing might go a long way to return sex to its rightful place as something to be celebrated and respected and loved.

It could be very well as you say, that sex is not where their interest lies. But if you step back and say ‘the human experience is not where my interest lies’, then I’ll bet there goes your Booker Prize. Sex is a significant part of the human experience.

Oh, I think you are totally spot on about writing that is erotic without directly addressing sex. There are some brilliant examples of it. And I appreciate them, applaud them. Celebrate them.

I also think it’s intensely personal. For me, history is erotic, and well researched historical novels are immensely arousing to me. But then, I get aroused walking by old walls. I am not sure why, but I equate ‘falling into history’ with falling in love.

Authenticity is key- just like in any other scene whether it is a heart-wrenching breakup or a violent murder. Sex and erotic writing can be and has been so much more than its portrayal in porn. Thanks for another great read.