Sexuality in Fantasy

I have read some mainstream fantasy that has some interesting sexual themes. Like the hermaphrodite hero of 'Raptor' and Fiona Patton's matter-of-fact threesomes. General fantasy books I have read have included frank descriptions of sexual responses to torture and even two including rape that resolved with the the victim becoming the perpetrator's romantic partner (much to my distress as a reader). One book had a man becoming the lover of his half brother (hello? incest taboo?)

So it is my impression that fantasy is much more inclusive of various sexual theme than other genres. But I suppose these might be exceptions rather than rule?

I am currently writing a fantasy book which edges gradually towards a hero-hero-heroine menage-a-toi (oh good I can't spell it :ack , you know -- threeway relationship). It isn't explicit but I wonder how many publishers would baulk at that element per. se....

any impressions -- I was thinking in the region of Tor paranormal romance, advaenture is the primary plot, romance the main subplot.

Luna Books is a new imprint that deals with paranormal romance. I don't have a link for it right now, sorry.

Some fantasy readers are turned off by any sexuality at all. But I wouldn't worry about that. It's a big tent, after all. There are plenty of other readers who love sexuality/sensuality in their stories.

Hey, vein, I think you spelled it right. Just without the accents... :thumbs

Vein, I read a novel once that was about as sexually explicit as it could get, yet was well written and had solid science fiction themes. You'll see that the people who chose to review it online couldn't get past the sex.

Alpha Centauri

If the writing is solid and the sexuality not gratuitous, I don't think any decent publisher would refuse it purely on grounds of sexual content.

Ménage à trois. But I have no idea what it means.

Loosely translated it's a "blending of three" which is apt.

If I were a publisher, I'd refuse anything I didn't think I could sell. And I think they generally do.

how explicit?

I think it depends on how explicit the sex is--and what publisher.

Shawn

Vein:

R.A. Heinlein wrote several books that explore all sorts of different sexual themes. Read these if you haven't already. (If you haven't, why not?)

Methuselah's Children (1941)
Stranger in a Strange Land (1961)
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (1966)
Space Family Stone (1969)
Time Enough for Love: The Lives of Lazarus Long (1973)
Friday (1982)The Cat Who Walks Through Walls: A Comedy of Manners (1985)
To Sail Beyond the Sunset (1987)

You should always have sex in mind, either explicitly or implicitly. Sex works in a very powerful subconscious level. We all have sex on our mind. I think some of the most powerful writing explores sexuality in a not-so-obvious way. If it's evocative enough, the readers will get it, but you don't necessarily alienate those who refuse to read "smut" (as they put it).

Good point, Maestro. Sexual tension is present in most interpersonal relationships, even, for example, between heterosexual males in their competitiveness regarding females. This could be shown in something as subtle as the topics a man might choose to discuss with a woman when they are alone together, compared to with another man; or the instinct to show off when more than one male is in the presence of a desireable female. The key there would be to keep it subtle and avoid cliche-ridden behavior and dialogue.

Orson Scott Card uses some very tasteful sexual incounters in his books. He uses a very light touch.

Mercedes Lackey's "Heralds of Valdemar" series incorporate homosexuality/lesbianism in a tasteful manner, too. In most cases, it's integral to the characters, but it's not handled in a heavyhanded way and it's not the sole focus of the story. A good example is the trilogy "Magic's Pawn", "Magic's Promise" and "Magic's Price."

Annie

Hi veinglory, nice to see you here too.

Back in the 60s & 70s, Moorcock's Jerry Cornelius series (which is more surreal/slipstream/Godknowswhat than straight fantasy, had quite an explicit pansexual dimension. So did his Dancers at the End of Time trilogy.

I think the amount of sex that a publisher will feel comfortable with in fantasy depends on how much they're thinking of slanting it towards the teenage market. Alternative sexuality seems to be becoming more normal. I've been reading a collection of stories by Mary Gentle that involves two lesbian relationships, one gay male relationship, and one character who changes himself into a female (magically, not surgically) to bed the man he fancies.