All writing books involve buying into the author's philosophy, and this is especially true of erotica writing guides (for instance, Lars Eighner's view of gay men's erotica as the only gay literature that can't be co-opted to some mainstream agenda; or Elizabeth Benedict's view that sex scenes are pivotal to all novel-writing).
        Susie Bright's angle in How to Read/Write a Dirty Story is to promote candid sex-positive writing - with no distinction made between 'erotica' and 'porn' - that opposes censorship, breaks taboos and represents all sexualities. It will have a particular interest for writers sympatico with SB's background as editor of the Herotica series and the lesbian magazine On our Backs. But she mentions other genres - including the "manly" ones of SF, horror and crime - and the book will interest anyone who wants to explore erotic fiction writing ... and the emphasis is on 'explore'. SB's starting point is the argument that erotic writing springs primarily from people wanting "to articulate their desires in a way that amazes themselves". But, if you are prepared to examine and develop this internal reason for writing, she argues that the spinoff is that it will have more power for others reading it.
        The 291-page book has a wide-ranging brief, from the history of erotic writing in America, via practical tips on writing and marketing, to a final discussion of what erotic writing will do to your mindset, all interwoven with autobiographical material showing how SB became (to her own surprise, we find) a 'sex guru'. The appendix lists "every important erotic book that has influenced SB's work", along with selected websites.
        However, this book shouldn't be ghettoised as a guide for erotica writers only. Obviously, much of the content is angled at sexual writing. For instance, there's advice about understanding sexual response and the stream of consciousness as orgasm approaches, specific warnings about 'operating instructions' sex scenes and silly orgasmic sound effects, and help on avoiding the burnout that comes of writing formulaic sex. But authenticity, empathy with your characters, wide reading, strong characterisation, and proofreading properly, are important whatever fiction genre you write. Furthermore, this book encourages writers to expand their range by exploring different genres, tackling taboo words and subjects, and trying out stylistically unconventional language (in fact, to write modern fiction rather than the dated, constipated style adopted by most newbie writers).
        The marketing advice - "Editing It", "Publishing It" and "Selling It" - is interesting for SB's personal account, but the bones of it will be familiar to anyone who follows the how-to-write circuit. Is it really necessary to warn people not to send unsolicited work to authors they admire? Yes, unfortunately; many newcomers are still that crass. SB reports the pains of going to the Market: finding an agent; the pros and cons of major publishers, small presses and self-publishing; and fan clubs, book tours, performances and the review circuit are there for completeness. Few of us, frankly, will progress that far; SB's advice on what you need to cut it as a professional writer at various expectations of income is depressing, but realistic.
        Some of the market information and stylistic advice applies particularly to the USA. Writers taking on paid 'mentoring' is a very American phenomenon. And compared, for example, with the UK, the USA has a larger short story market. UK erotic fiction publishers are in the main stuck in the 'porn per page' model , with no interest in the literary and experimental, nor stories about the "the homely, the deformed, the aged, the plain and the absurd" that SB recomends as fair game for inclusion in erotic scenarios.
        Otherwise, the advice is readily adaptable. The book is strongly rooted in attacking the USA sexual ethos that SB describes: a nation "founded on Puritan beliefs" with a history of "censorship, sexual chauvinism and repression". But this is a common enough mindset, and the tactics SB describes, for avoiding "erotica versus porn" semantic arguments and responding to hostile critics who play the 'sex and violence' card, apply anywhere.
        In summary, SB's take on erotica writing is that it works simultaneously at different levels: while it's simply enjoyable for writer and reader, it also has a serious function as a liberal and liberating force, personally and politically.
        If this concept strikes you as PC, over-politicized or too touchy-feely, you won't get much from this book. (Some writers are happy to churn out work without a thought as to its emotional authenticity, literary quality, or what it means to themselves and their readers). But anyone open to the idea that their writing's effectiveness can be improved by considering its personal and social purpose will find How to Read/Write a Dirty Story inspiring and thought-provoking.

Ray Girvan

Susie Bright's How to Read/Write a Dirty Story is available as both paperbook or e-book form. See www.susiebright.com for more information.