My most recent novel debuted today. I self-published, and after this, honestly empowering experience, I’m never ever going to query anybody again. I’m positively convinced the industry is cooked, and I’m happy doing my own thing, even if it doesn’t amount to much.
The mandatory sex positivity of even non-consensual sex is particularly striking when at the same time we face an army of sensitivity readers for whom nearly anything else seems to be "triggering"...
This sex-positivity-by-default position of mainstream publishing is something that troubles me, too. In my manuscript, my two main characters are Christians of variable adherence both raised in the Christian sexual ethic, which protects sex within marriage. Their Christianity is nowhere near the main point of the plot, but it’s an aspect of both characters I’m worried a literary agent or publisher will want to erase or change to be more “sex positive.” I believe that complicated feelings about sex due to a faith tradition are deeply common to the human experience, and should be dealt with the complexity and dignity they deserve.
You've identified such an important problem: Sex is not always good! Even when, as you say, it's fully consensual.
And no one seems to want to say this. Sex can provide some of our best experiences. It's also true, though, that many (most?) of the worst things human beings can do to each other are sexual.
When you don't need to care about your sexual partner--when you don't even have to know each other--you're giving that depravity free room to run.
Great thoughts! You contrasted restraint with empowerment, but I'd go so far as to argue that restraint and self discipline are ultimately sexually "empowering." Not being a slave to your impulses allows you to give yourself fully and freely to your spouse. This narrative is clearly the minority (and often mocked) in modern discussions on the topic.
I don't agree that literary fiction never deals with the complexities of sex, see "Cat Person." But to be fair, Kristen Roupenian never had to submit to the slush pile.
Oh boy I was just considering whether to start querying or not. I guess I would be better off self publishing my vampire novel where the protagonist discovers her asexuality through the conflict she is in with a hypersexual vampire. That's not the whole plot, though, it is a subplot. And no she isn't asexual because someone was aiming for some dubious content action with her, she'd been feeling it and worrying about it while being in a healthy romantic relationship with her high school sweetheart, before she met the vampire.
I admit I am using vampires as a metaphor for sex, but in a more predatory way. The genre leans more into horror than the romance one might expect.
Anyway, thank you for posting this, because I am so frustrated with the prevalence of sex and this idea that so long as there are two consenting adults it is okay. But where do we draw the line at consent? And sex isn't always healing. Like anything, application and dose can make something a medicinal or poisonous, and I believe sex and definitely be toxic even when it isn't unethical.
Pornography is degenerate and wicked, but at least it doesn't purport to be art, like these "slut novels." I can't believe we live in a culture that celebrates this nonsense.
regarding the shared exchange with your agent: I found myself agreeing with both you and him 50%. I see no need for characters to grow or learn anything, as long as the story is interesting and the writing is good. the presence of a moral message itself has no bearing, for me, on the impact of a novel. I must confess to not having read your book, but if Adam and Cassie go down to the 50Shades room and nothing happens, it may even be more seductive and intriguing than if you had elaborated a debaucherous encounter, provided how it is written is interesting. it sounds like your agent is more of a plot focussed chap.
My most recent novel debuted today. I self-published, and after this, honestly empowering experience, I’m never ever going to query anybody again. I’m positively convinced the industry is cooked, and I’m happy doing my own thing, even if it doesn’t amount to much.
Keep going! Rooting for you :)
That means a lot! Thank you
“but boy, do I have some theories.”
I so enjoy seeing sentences like this when you’re diagnosing. I know a +10 evisceration is just moments away.
The mandatory sex positivity of even non-consensual sex is particularly striking when at the same time we face an army of sensitivity readers for whom nearly anything else seems to be "triggering"...
This sex-positivity-by-default position of mainstream publishing is something that troubles me, too. In my manuscript, my two main characters are Christians of variable adherence both raised in the Christian sexual ethic, which protects sex within marriage. Their Christianity is nowhere near the main point of the plot, but it’s an aspect of both characters I’m worried a literary agent or publisher will want to erase or change to be more “sex positive.” I believe that complicated feelings about sex due to a faith tradition are deeply common to the human experience, and should be dealt with the complexity and dignity they deserve.
You've identified such an important problem: Sex is not always good! Even when, as you say, it's fully consensual.
And no one seems to want to say this. Sex can provide some of our best experiences. It's also true, though, that many (most?) of the worst things human beings can do to each other are sexual.
When you don't need to care about your sexual partner--when you don't even have to know each other--you're giving that depravity free room to run.
Keep fighting the good fight, Liza.
Great thoughts! You contrasted restraint with empowerment, but I'd go so far as to argue that restraint and self discipline are ultimately sexually "empowering." Not being a slave to your impulses allows you to give yourself fully and freely to your spouse. This narrative is clearly the minority (and often mocked) in modern discussions on the topic.
And here I am, writing about monks. Hmm.
What on earth would your agent make if the film Brief Encounter - when the point of the film is passion that is restrained?
Does he not realise that he has turned everyone into performing seals?
On the button…
I don't agree that literary fiction never deals with the complexities of sex, see "Cat Person." But to be fair, Kristen Roupenian never had to submit to the slush pile.
Oh boy I was just considering whether to start querying or not. I guess I would be better off self publishing my vampire novel where the protagonist discovers her asexuality through the conflict she is in with a hypersexual vampire. That's not the whole plot, though, it is a subplot. And no she isn't asexual because someone was aiming for some dubious content action with her, she'd been feeling it and worrying about it while being in a healthy romantic relationship with her high school sweetheart, before she met the vampire.
I admit I am using vampires as a metaphor for sex, but in a more predatory way. The genre leans more into horror than the romance one might expect.
Anyway, thank you for posting this, because I am so frustrated with the prevalence of sex and this idea that so long as there are two consenting adults it is okay. But where do we draw the line at consent? And sex isn't always healing. Like anything, application and dose can make something a medicinal or poisonous, and I believe sex and definitely be toxic even when it isn't unethical.
Pornography is degenerate and wicked, but at least it doesn't purport to be art, like these "slut novels." I can't believe we live in a culture that celebrates this nonsense.
regarding the shared exchange with your agent: I found myself agreeing with both you and him 50%. I see no need for characters to grow or learn anything, as long as the story is interesting and the writing is good. the presence of a moral message itself has no bearing, for me, on the impact of a novel. I must confess to not having read your book, but if Adam and Cassie go down to the 50Shades room and nothing happens, it may even be more seductive and intriguing than if you had elaborated a debaucherous encounter, provided how it is written is interesting. it sounds like your agent is more of a plot focussed chap.
Loved it!
¯\_(ツ)_/¯