Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Books
  • Blog
  • Join My Launch Crew
  • New Novel Sneak Peek
  • Contact me
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+

Do You Read Erotic Fiction?

June 14, 2017 by Helena Halme 1 Comment

If you like romance, you may also like reading erotic fiction

There was a time not so long ago, when erotic fiction in the UK was confined to shady Soho establishments, and even the fabulously stylish The Erotic Review (now sadly no longer available in print form) was posted in an innocuous envelope, not revealing its contents, just in case the postman, or your neighbours, be offended.

Then, six years ago, in May 2011, the first book in The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy was published. These erotic books took the publishing industry by storm because it was, firstly openly erotic, secondly self-published and sold in its millions as an Ebook. And it was said to be revolutionary because the audience was predominantly (dominance being the operative word!) women readers.

Of course, there was a plethora of criticism leveled at the series of books by the traditional publishing industry, until the big publishers woke up to the opportunities a best-seller such as the three books provided. Now E L James is a millionaire, and the books are traditionally published and turned into two films so far. We can discuss the quality of the writing of those books until the cows come home, as well as the portrayal of the female and male characters and the power they had on each other, but I think the important lesson we should take from the success of those books is that yes, women do like sex. And yes, the female of the species also likes to read erotic fiction.

There is such a thing as brilliantly written erotic fiction

Perhaps Fifty Shades of Grey failed to make sex intellectually viable and emotionally relevant on the page, but this is not true of all fiction that deals explicitly with romantic love. Erotic fiction shouldn’t be intellectually inferior just because it describes an act that is deemed by society somehow dirty, and certainly naughty.  Writing sex, like writing in general, is intellectually challenging, and difficult.

Sex should be like eating a mango

At a recent BareLit festival discussion, author Leone Ross, an award-winning author whose collection of short stories (some of which can be classified as erotic), Come Let Us Sing Anyway, is just out, commented, ‘Sex should be like eating a mango, wonderful and delicious, but natural.’ The talk, titled, ‘Sexy Times’ centered around how the patriarchal society has for too long portrayed sex as a male domain, and through it oppressed women and their natural sexuality. How moralistic rules of what is allowable and not allowable are still in force around the world. Women in sexual relationships are portrayed as submissive and innocent, while men are experienced and in control. Things are done to a woman with or without her consent, let alone enjoyment.

Anyone who has been in a fulfilling sexual relationship knows that the rules are set by those involved, not anyone outside, and that as long as those involved are consenting adults, rules are immaterial.

Erotic fiction is empowering

Leone Ross also says, ‘Being a woman writing about sex means that I am a woman walking free around the world.’ And I guess this is the point of erotic fiction; to be able to write and read about a subject still so taboo (especially for women) around the world is a wonderful thing.

Religion and Erotic Fiction

A new Muslim Erotica novel, Uqasha, has recently been published by an independent publishing house, Fixi London. Uqasha started as a serial on Wattpad, updated 3 times a week for a year. It currently has more than 5.64 million readers. Written in Malay, it is now available in English for the first time. Uqasha explores a woman’s sensuality at the same time as she circumvents her ways around the religion around her relationship and marriage. The text describes the emotional and physical relationship, as well as how the two lovers wake up the next day to pray together.

Financial Times and London Evening Standard critic, Arifa Akbar, says, ‘Uqasha offers a paradox in its invention of ‘moral’ erotic fiction which defies the narrow preconceptions of the Islamic faith by putting Muslim values and characters – and challenges to these values – at its heart. A quietly subversive twist to the erotic fiction genre, and a bold, brave debut.’

Do you read erotic fiction?

Comment below and start the conversation going!

Would you like to get my new posts directly to your inbox? Tap the image below and sign up now.

You may also like:

Books Set in Scandinavia New Book Trials and Tribulations Would You Like A Sneak Peek into An Island Heatwave? It’s Publication Day

Tagged With: Books, ebook, erotic fiction, indie author, romance

Comments

  1. Silver Lights says

    June 19, 2020 at 6:35 am

    erotic romance has always been the talk of the town and to be honest it is just amazing.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Pre-order offer

To Melt A Frozen Heart now 0.99 on pre-order

Free Story for my Readers Group only!

NEW NOVEL

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapter

looking for the self publishing coach?

Buy Direct from the author

Follow me on Instagram

Whoo hoo! My new book, an enemies-to-lovers winter Whoo hoo! My new book, an enemies-to-lovers winter romance, To Melt A Frozen Heart, is now on pre-order!
💙
To Melt A Frozen Heart is Book 1 in a new series, titled, The Anderssons.  In the first novel in the series, we meet  Kat Andersson, a passionate environmentalist TV producer. Heartbroken after a devastating betrayal by those whom she most trusted in her life, she travels to Lapland, where she meets – and immediately hates – Mikael Hult, a ski instructor from a wealthy Finnish mining family.
💙
Here’s the full blurb:
When trust is betrayed by those closest to you, can love still find its way?

Kat, a TV producer nursing a shattered heart from a celebrity chef's betrayal, seeks refuge in Lapland. There, she crosses paths with Mikael, a Finnish ski instructor from a wealthy mining dynasty.

Their worlds collide like ice and fire, yet an irresistible attraction blooms. Kat, an ardent vegan and environmental advocate, has sworn off holiday romances. Mikael embodies everything she detests about privilege: fast cars, inherited wealth, and disregard for the environment.

But destiny has other plans. When disaster strikes in Lapland's pristine wilderness, Kat and Mikael find themselves drawn together. In their struggle for survival, they uncover shared values and a connection they never expected.

Will Kat's heart thaw, granting her a second chance at love, or will it remain frozen forever? 

To Melt A Frozen Heart whisks you from London's bustling streets to Lapland's enchanting landscapes, where the Northern Lights and twinkling stars illuminate Kat and Mikael’s path.
💙
You can now pre-order the eBook version of To Melt A Frozen Heart from your favourite store for just $0.99. This is a time-sensitive offer, so if you want to read my next novel, Book 1 in a brand new series, as soon as it hits the virtual shelves go to my profile or here: helenahalmebooks.com to secure your copy.
💙
To Melt A Frozen Heart will be out on 30 November 2023, at which point the price will go up to $4.99. 
💙❄️📘📖
Happy Monday! I started my week with Pilates @moss Happy Monday! I started my week with Pilates @mossymummy . Now wonderfully energized, I’m at my desk with coffee (naturally), running through the first edits of my Lapland book (cover and title reveal coming soon - watch this space 👀). 
I hope your week has kicked off well too!
☕️📘🤸‍♂️❤️
I’ve had a glut of tomatoes from the cherry toma I’ve had a glut of tomatoes from the cherry tomato plant, but not so many from the ‘big’ one. It’s very satisfying to eat fruit from your own #London balcony though! 🍅🪴
There’s nothing like meeting up with a good frie There’s nothing like meeting up with a good friend who also happens to be an amazing author! 
✍🏻🥰
Freddie @freddieppeters and I write in  different genres but we have so much in common. Our 3+ hour lunches are legendary.
🥂📚
Always prolific, Freddie has once again beat me to publishing her latest financial thriller, Book 2 in the Nancy Wu series, SON AND CRUSADER. I cannot wait to read it!
📘🕵️‍♀️
Load More Follow on Instagram

writing and publishing tips

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

PRE-ORDER OFFER

free exclusive bonus chapters

Copyright © 2023 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in