Readin', 'Ritin', and (Publishing) 'Rithmetic

When I began writing erotica and non-fiction articles on sexuality I took a pen name for privacy. But it might surprise those of you who do not write to know that one of the biggest reasons was to separate one writing career from another.

Anyone who writes, as a profession or a hobby, knows that over-all perception of erotica authors is poor and no where is this belief held more firmly than within the writing community. "They're not real writers," other they say (or type). It's not just that we dare to write about sex (or even profit from it) but if we write about it, it must be because we "can't really write" and this is our last resort.

Anyone who writes erotica (dirty stories, erotic literature, porn -- whatever you choose to call it) will tell you that writing smut takes extra skill. For not only must you obey all the rules of writing but you must make it arousing too. Just trying to find synonyms for "cock" (without sounding cliched) and "orgasm" (virtually non-existent) is a challenge. But 'the real writers' will giggle and sneer. I've seen the cruelty in writer's groups and online forums firsthand.

Even mainstream editors and publications may reject your work on these very notions, or just from the fear of any association. Even for non-fiction works this happens. Mention you write 'about sex' in any fashion (or have them discover you do so) and you're blackballed. So in order to preserve my professional mainstream writing reputation, I created a pen name upon joining the ranks of smut writers.

You'd think that a group which has experienced such persecution and unfair devaluation would be wiser. But they are not.

Think of it as a writers-in-residence program ... one that never has to end.