Comments on: What Do Authors Scott Spencer, John Irving and Gay Talese have in Common? Sexual Crapulence!

By: Billy

Billy — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:22:55 +0000

What has happened to literary fiction that diagnoses who we are and the malaise in society, to use a term from novelist Walker Percy ? The sexploitative novel has been around for a while, and the only author who handles sex in a literary context, to my way of thinking, is John Updike, whose at times uses sexual prose and situations because they are germane to his plot. As for Irving, I admit I liked GARP, although in retrospect, the high point of the novel was when a woman bit his “member” off. Does this elevate us to thinking about the human condition? Research for these books? Gimme a break. Just turn on the TV, for goodness sake.

By: Maralyn Rittenour

Maralyn Rittenour — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:26:08 +0000

Only 4 women commented.

Are we just more timid, uptight, afraid of exploitation or worse if we do too much ‘hands on’ research?

Interesting reading as always.

By: Tom Clavin

Tom Clavin — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:21:14 +0000

Witchy Woman:
You are on to a very provocative theme . . . and I wish you had explored it much further. Yes, what are these guys up to, and the publishers that fund them? On a personal note, as a male, well-published writer who will turn 54 this summer, am I in position to instruct my agent to get me a book contract to explore some kind of randy sex project? What if I want to hit the tarmac in Saigon in April 1975 and there is nothing sexy about that? To console me, give me Peggy’s number.

By: Peggy Payne

Peggy Payne — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:35:38 +0000

Wicked Witch, It’s mighty nice of you to provide the bios, etc., on your commenters. It adds a lot to the page in addition to pleasing those so favored.

By: Brother Rene

Brother Rene — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:04:13 +0000

Brother Rene was secretly listening to NPR one day a couple of weeks ago and heard an interview with Scott Spencer.

As I recall, Scott said he gained all of his knowledge (about the subject) by interviewing clients and vendors on his many research trips and not by personal experience. I thought he said he took his kids or wife along on a couple of the trips.

Can’t quite recall the exact details because the subject was irrelevant to the eager but cloistered frater. You can probably still listen to the interview at NPR.org.

Bro

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): If you say so.

By: Sridhar Balan

Sridhar Balan — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:18:30 +0000

Hi Lynne,

Maybe it’s male menopause, maybe it’s an effort to revive a flagging libido. But the acid test of these books is whether they titilate and one can get a prurient thrill from reading them or is their purpose more serious. Talese’s book was rather pathbreaking for its time an we still don’t have an answer to what his wife was thinking. I am positing these books against Nancy Friday and others who also claim to be doing ‘research’.

We also have of course, much more explicit material. To each their own. But some good may still come of it. I would add of interest to sociologists too, in addition to psychologists, psychiatrists and police. But if we can raise awareness about the nexus between organized crime and pornography and exploitation which leads to paedophalia and prostitution, we may be able take some positive action.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Sridhar Balan is a senior consultant with book publisher Ratna Sagar Private Ltd. He had previously been a director with Oxford University Press, India. He is involved in professional training in publishing and also writes a column on publishing in leading newspapers.

By: Lorra Laven

Lorra Laven — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:56:12 +0000

When I was researching my novel on the cover up of abuse at a private boys’ school, I relied on psychologists and their websites like the comprehensive site hosted by Dr. Jim Hopper, PhD.

I never would have considered going to a kiddie porn site; the thought sickens and terrifies me. Trust me when I tell you, I would not do well in Club Fed.

Of course, real life is the best resource available. There are just some things you wish you had not had to experience to get your background info.

By: staghounds

staghounds — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:31:02 +0000

Despite his [Gay Talese] unfortunate name, nine years?

It only takes seven for a physician’s license!

By: Peggy Payne

Peggy Payne — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:27:47 +0000

It's not just men. My next (third) novel, which is near completion, is about a woman who has a religious experience that causes her to go berserk sexually. I'm 59 years old, a little late for a mid-life crisis. I've found that the process of writing the book has been an exploration of the intersection of mysticism and sex that has shown me that connection more clearly. In every book, for me, there are some givens, parts that feel ready-made and waiting to be put on the page. In this book, the sexy parts were the ones that were easiest to write. And fun.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Peggy writes novels and nonfiction books. Her themes are mysticism and sexuality (and the intersection of the two), and creative courage and self-expression. Her most recent novel Sister India, is a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.

By: Cur

Cur — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:38:32 +0000

Over 235,000 hits so far on YouTube!

Client #9

That is unkind to poor little Elliott.
Cur

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Maybe former Governor Spitzer should have said he was merely “researching.”