By Jo Johnstone
My young adult literature convention, YALC, talk of choice for the LFCC weekend had to be I'm Too Sexy For This Book, a discussion of sex in young adult fiction. At the back of Earls Court a stage area has been set up. Every seat is filled with many interested spectator's standing. The talk is presided over by James Dawson, author of Cruel Summer and Hollow Pike.
Dawson begins by stating that his head is feeling a little lighter than usual. 'Rosie', he yells as a smiling women runs in carring a crown on a pillow. After a round of applause Dawson thanks everyone who voted for him as Queen of Teen. 'The public has spoken and you love me'. The charsmatic author declares that this talk will have sexy content, 'so those who do not like sexy content are welcome to depart now'.
My young adult literature convention, YALC, talk of choice for the LFCC weekend had to be I'm Too Sexy For This Book, a discussion of sex in young adult fiction. At the back of Earls Court a stage area has been set up. Every seat is filled with many interested spectator's standing. The talk is presided over by James Dawson, author of Cruel Summer and Hollow Pike.
Dawson begins by stating that his head is feeling a little lighter than usual. 'Rosie', he yells as a smiling women runs in carring a crown on a pillow. After a round of applause Dawson thanks everyone who voted for him as Queen of Teen. 'The public has spoken and you love me'. The charsmatic author declares that this talk will have sexy content, 'so those who do not like sexy content are welcome to depart now'.
As no one has run away screaming Dawson introduces his 'rather sexy' panel. To his side are Cat Clarke author of Undone. Non Pratt author of Trouble along with Beth Reekles author of The Kissing Booth.
Dawson starts by asking his panel 'why risk writing about sex, why go there?' Clarke proudly states 'why go there, why not'? 'Do you like it then', (assumingly asking about writing sex) asks Dawson, with obvious sniggering'. 'I do and you know what, some teenagers are having sex so I write about it. I wasn't worried, I always go there'. Pratt writes about sex because 'its what I wanted to read about when I was young. I have always wrote with the idea of a fourteen year old nun reader in mind. A fourteen year old nun is curiouse and wants details of the experience. There wasn't any sex books when I was young, unless you count Judy Blume. Thats how I write'. For Reekles who began writing her book when she was fifteenth she doesn't put graphic sex in her books. 'Its not what I want to read so I don't write it but that not to say I feel I can't'.
Dawsons mentions that all three of his panel all present sex in a posative light. 'Your points of view are all non judgmental regardless of the type of sex or relationship. What exactly is the process for writing a sex scene? Essentially how do you get in the mood? Do you buy yourself a flower or run yourself a bath, what do you do?' Reekles goes back to her fifthteen year old self not having the experience so not writing about it. 'I think sex in young adult literature/chick lit tends to be romantic wish fulfillment. For young readers, especially girls, its how they want their first time to be.' Pratt again recounts writing for a fourteen year old nun. 'The graphic sex depiction is realistic, a fourteen year old nun would want that detail. To prepare to write those scences I just hammer it out'. Realising, thanks to audience giggles, her phrasing could be misinterpreted Pratt quickly rephrases her thoughts. 'I tend to write my favourite scenes first. So, this sounds bad but my favourites are sex scenes, drunk scenes and fight scenes'. I think any reader can understand her point on that. Dawson goes finally to Clarke who's main female protagonist uses sex for revenge. Clarke reveals she has a sexy time playlist. 'I asked people on Twitter what their sexy song choices were. You should never asked people questions on Twitter but I did'. So what does this Twitter sexy playlist contain? 'A lot is what you would expect, so Prince, pretty standard. Someone suggested Rod Steward'. An odd choice the bemused audience seem to agree. 'Its what I use to write those scenes'. Yet Clarke challenges her protagonists use of revenge sex. 'It is used as a weapon but she still enjoys the sex'. Dawson, of course, asks the question we are all wondering, 'Have you ever had revenge sex?' 'No' Clark answes frankly which takes us to the next question from Dawson/
Dawson starts by asking his panel 'why risk writing about sex, why go there?' Clarke proudly states 'why go there, why not'? 'Do you like it then', (assumingly asking about writing sex) asks Dawson, with obvious sniggering'. 'I do and you know what, some teenagers are having sex so I write about it. I wasn't worried, I always go there'. Pratt writes about sex because 'its what I wanted to read about when I was young. I have always wrote with the idea of a fourteen year old nun reader in mind. A fourteen year old nun is curiouse and wants details of the experience. There wasn't any sex books when I was young, unless you count Judy Blume. Thats how I write'. For Reekles who began writing her book when she was fifteenth she doesn't put graphic sex in her books. 'Its not what I want to read so I don't write it but that not to say I feel I can't'.
Dawsons mentions that all three of his panel all present sex in a posative light. 'Your points of view are all non judgmental regardless of the type of sex or relationship. What exactly is the process for writing a sex scene? Essentially how do you get in the mood? Do you buy yourself a flower or run yourself a bath, what do you do?' Reekles goes back to her fifthteen year old self not having the experience so not writing about it. 'I think sex in young adult literature/chick lit tends to be romantic wish fulfillment. For young readers, especially girls, its how they want their first time to be.' Pratt again recounts writing for a fourteen year old nun. 'The graphic sex depiction is realistic, a fourteen year old nun would want that detail. To prepare to write those scences I just hammer it out'. Realising, thanks to audience giggles, her phrasing could be misinterpreted Pratt quickly rephrases her thoughts. 'I tend to write my favourite scenes first. So, this sounds bad but my favourites are sex scenes, drunk scenes and fight scenes'. I think any reader can understand her point on that. Dawson goes finally to Clarke who's main female protagonist uses sex for revenge. Clarke reveals she has a sexy time playlist. 'I asked people on Twitter what their sexy song choices were. You should never asked people questions on Twitter but I did'. So what does this Twitter sexy playlist contain? 'A lot is what you would expect, so Prince, pretty standard. Someone suggested Rod Steward'. An odd choice the bemused audience seem to agree. 'Its what I use to write those scenes'. Yet Clarke challenges her protagonists use of revenge sex. 'It is used as a weapon but she still enjoys the sex'. Dawson, of course, asks the question we are all wondering, 'Have you ever had revenge sex?' 'No' Clark answes frankly which takes us to the next question from Dawson/
'The reality of today is that a lot of young adults are having sex so why is it so taboo to have sex in young adult fiction?' Pratt begins by stating that 'its fuelled through fear from gatekeepers'. Dawson intervenes by saying that 'by gatekeepers we don't mean the guys from Ghostbusters. When we say gatekeepers we mean the people who stand between our work and the audience. So parents, publishers, librarians, editors etc'. Pratt extends her point of view to say that 'teenagers have buying power but its monitored by their parents. Its strange because of all the things your kids could be doing, (fighting, drugs) sex is a natural progression, its what you should be doing as an adult'. Clarke seems to find it strange that parents get more upset when its sex in books. 'They don't seem to mind as much with TV or film. The perception is that books should be 'good' for youngsters. Yet books should be entertainment outside of their curriculum'. Reeckles believes that the changing age range of young adult fiction is part of the fear. 'You don't want to expose eleven year olds to things they are not educated too'. For Dawson who has had his work censored in the U.S due to sexual content feels that 'gatekeepers can either give young adults books that present sex in a posative, natural way or leave teenagers to the mercy of the internet or playground'. Dawson ask the panel 'do you think age ratings on books are a good idea?' 'No', 'no' and 'no' answer all three speakers. As it unanimous, Daswon moves on.
As gatekeepers have been mention Dawson asks the panel, 'if they have had any bad experiences with gatekeepers?' Clarke goes first and thinks she 'has been very lucky and considers herself fortunate. I know other's, (such as Dawson), have been asked to remove scenes from their work but I have never had that experience'. Reekles has also been fortunate but knows that a single negative article can be damaging. 'Someone could read something on Good Reads and decide the book was controversial. I've had the occasional parent backlash but nothing major'. Pratt again feels shes been very lucky. 'Nope, no problems. I met with my publisher and was convinced I'd have to change the sex scene but my publisher was very behind the book and the scene. I find the issue arises more with parents, not so much editors and publishers. I havn't had great luck with schools. I visited one school with my book and the librarian read it. She felt that parents might object to children reading and buying the book'.
With that Dawson opens questions up to the audience. The first question brings up possible the most notorious sex novel of recent history. 'Do the panel feel like they owe anything to Fifty Shades of Grey?' Reeckles, whose book was published pre Fifty Shades, does not feel the novel has affected her personally but does 'credit the novel for lifting the lid on women reading sexy books'. Clarke has only read a few of pages of the S&M novel that 'wasn't really her thing. I don't really know what the books overall influence is but it has not affected my work. Fifty Shades is more about titillation and I don't think thats what me or the rest if the panel do', Clarke says including her peers. 'Its more for curiosity but I wouldn't want to read pages and pages of sex'. Pratt similarly does not feel that Fifty Shades influenced her and her work. 'Yet the novels trickle down affect has lifted some taboos of women and sex in literature. Pratt recalls seeing an advert at Christmas that featured a grandmother, at a family gathering reading Fifty Shades of Grey. 'Its now socially acceptable for women to explore sex within Literature'.
The next audience question goes into the authors no go areas. 'Having all written about sex within your work is there a taboo you would not explore?' Starting with Pratt who distinguishes general taboos from sexual ones. 'Generally I wouldn't write about religion, its a heated area. Sexually I would not write about the alternate taste menu'. Seeing that some of the audience are a little miffed Pratt continues with 'for example The Lemon Grove. The novel explores alternate hole use'. By far the most memorable phrase of this brilliant panel and the one that tips the audience over the giggle threshold. 'Although I have no issue with the content I think people should get used to Vanilla before they sample other flavours'. With the audience now in hysterics Reekles gives her writing Taboos. Generally she agrees with Pratt that 'religion is not her comfort zone and could not imagine writing a religious protagonist. Depression is also another area I would avoid but purly due to lack of understsnding'. Sexually Reekles would not write prolonged graphic sex scenes. 'Not because I dont feel I have the right to but thats not what I would want to read so I don't write it'. For Clarke the 'torture stuff' is her no go area. 'Its just a bit icky and not that I can't write it I just wouldn't'. Our chair to the panel also adds his perspective by mentioning asexuality. 'In the quest to push sexual boundaries perhaps the final taboo might be no sex'.
With that Dawson opens questions up to the audience. The first question brings up possible the most notorious sex novel of recent history. 'Do the panel feel like they owe anything to Fifty Shades of Grey?' Reeckles, whose book was published pre Fifty Shades, does not feel the novel has affected her personally but does 'credit the novel for lifting the lid on women reading sexy books'. Clarke has only read a few of pages of the S&M novel that 'wasn't really her thing. I don't really know what the books overall influence is but it has not affected my work. Fifty Shades is more about titillation and I don't think thats what me or the rest if the panel do', Clarke says including her peers. 'Its more for curiosity but I wouldn't want to read pages and pages of sex'. Pratt similarly does not feel that Fifty Shades influenced her and her work. 'Yet the novels trickle down affect has lifted some taboos of women and sex in literature. Pratt recalls seeing an advert at Christmas that featured a grandmother, at a family gathering reading Fifty Shades of Grey. 'Its now socially acceptable for women to explore sex within Literature'.
The next audience question goes into the authors no go areas. 'Having all written about sex within your work is there a taboo you would not explore?' Starting with Pratt who distinguishes general taboos from sexual ones. 'Generally I wouldn't write about religion, its a heated area. Sexually I would not write about the alternate taste menu'. Seeing that some of the audience are a little miffed Pratt continues with 'for example The Lemon Grove. The novel explores alternate hole use'. By far the most memorable phrase of this brilliant panel and the one that tips the audience over the giggle threshold. 'Although I have no issue with the content I think people should get used to Vanilla before they sample other flavours'. With the audience now in hysterics Reekles gives her writing Taboos. Generally she agrees with Pratt that 'religion is not her comfort zone and could not imagine writing a religious protagonist. Depression is also another area I would avoid but purly due to lack of understsnding'. Sexually Reekles would not write prolonged graphic sex scenes. 'Not because I dont feel I have the right to but thats not what I would want to read so I don't write it'. For Clarke the 'torture stuff' is her no go area. 'Its just a bit icky and not that I can't write it I just wouldn't'. Our chair to the panel also adds his perspective by mentioning asexuality. 'In the quest to push sexual boundaries perhaps the final taboo might be no sex'.
Going back to the concept of gatekeepers Dawson brings the panel onto the much debated subject of 'new adult literature'. 'Is the new genre tag about getting around gatekeepers or is it a new wave?' Pratt starts with her feelings that 'I don't really believe in new adult. I think really its a marketing tool its just young adult with the warning of sexual content.' Reekles agrees that the label is 'pure marketing.' For Clarke who was 'originally really excited by new adult' the movement has fallen flat. 'Its all set at exciting times in a young adults life, University and other changes but that's not what new adult has become'. Yet Clark also states that 'I have not read enough to qualify a real argument.'
From the topic of a new genre Dawson asks the panel 'who they would recommends reading for the hungry young adult audience?' Clarke recommends Courtney Summers. 'She ranges from contemporary young adult to the zombie apocalypse.' Pratt goes for Laurie Halse Anderson. 'I like things that are well written and really speak to teenagers now. Her work is very dark but still very funny'. For Reekles the works of John Green would be her recommendation. Dawson adds his own recommendations with anything teen horror like Dave Shelton's Thirteen Chairs.'
The next question comes from an audience member who first reveals that she is in fact a librarian/gatekeeper. After a short round of owws from the audience she quickly redeems herself by stating 'I want to give a range of books to kids but other gatekeepers are afraid. How do I encourage this?' Pratt advises this young liberal to 'talk to parents. Assure them you're not out to corrupt their kids and help teenagers to be honest'.
The next question regards the topic of LGBT sex. 'Is it still more of a taboo than heterosexual teenage sex?' Dawson, who currently has two LGBT storylines in his next two books, 'feels if there is a taboo it is waning'. Clarke, who has featured gay, lesbian love scenes feels there is no taboo as a writer to write LGBT characters and storylines. 'There are a lot of LGBT comics and stories coming out this year' which suggests there is no taboo. 'The only worry is it will be a trend, which means it will go away.' Reekles also has no problem writing gay characters. 'I don't write graphic sex scenes so wouldn't do a graphic LGBT scene either' but does not feel they should not be written. For Pratt who has written a graphic sex scene she wrote a heterosexual scene to account for the characters pregnancy. 'I will write whatever is right for the characters. Its not a trend to be LGBT so it shouldn't be a publishing trend either'.
With time up Dawson asks for one more quick question from the audience. The final audience member asks 'why so often violence is treated more casually than sex in young adult literature?' Reekles feels that 'fights happen from a young age although they are not supposed to happen so are included more casually in stories'. Pratt states that 'the open nature of violence, as it happens in public, contrasts the private nature of sex. Its not something we are supposed to see so its sadly used more freely'. Clarke finds the nature of violence very strange. 'Parents are fine with violence in young adult books, such as The Hunger Games. There are scenes were kids kill other kids, it's really brutal but sex is still avoided. Its not the way it should be'.
With that Dawson calls time on the talk. He thanks his panel who end the talk with the message that sex is a good thing and teenagers should be allowed to approach the topic in a positive and healthy environment.
From the topic of a new genre Dawson asks the panel 'who they would recommends reading for the hungry young adult audience?' Clarke recommends Courtney Summers. 'She ranges from contemporary young adult to the zombie apocalypse.' Pratt goes for Laurie Halse Anderson. 'I like things that are well written and really speak to teenagers now. Her work is very dark but still very funny'. For Reekles the works of John Green would be her recommendation. Dawson adds his own recommendations with anything teen horror like Dave Shelton's Thirteen Chairs.'
The next question comes from an audience member who first reveals that she is in fact a librarian/gatekeeper. After a short round of owws from the audience she quickly redeems herself by stating 'I want to give a range of books to kids but other gatekeepers are afraid. How do I encourage this?' Pratt advises this young liberal to 'talk to parents. Assure them you're not out to corrupt their kids and help teenagers to be honest'.
The next question regards the topic of LGBT sex. 'Is it still more of a taboo than heterosexual teenage sex?' Dawson, who currently has two LGBT storylines in his next two books, 'feels if there is a taboo it is waning'. Clarke, who has featured gay, lesbian love scenes feels there is no taboo as a writer to write LGBT characters and storylines. 'There are a lot of LGBT comics and stories coming out this year' which suggests there is no taboo. 'The only worry is it will be a trend, which means it will go away.' Reekles also has no problem writing gay characters. 'I don't write graphic sex scenes so wouldn't do a graphic LGBT scene either' but does not feel they should not be written. For Pratt who has written a graphic sex scene she wrote a heterosexual scene to account for the characters pregnancy. 'I will write whatever is right for the characters. Its not a trend to be LGBT so it shouldn't be a publishing trend either'.
With time up Dawson asks for one more quick question from the audience. The final audience member asks 'why so often violence is treated more casually than sex in young adult literature?' Reekles feels that 'fights happen from a young age although they are not supposed to happen so are included more casually in stories'. Pratt states that 'the open nature of violence, as it happens in public, contrasts the private nature of sex. Its not something we are supposed to see so its sadly used more freely'. Clarke finds the nature of violence very strange. 'Parents are fine with violence in young adult books, such as The Hunger Games. There are scenes were kids kill other kids, it's really brutal but sex is still avoided. Its not the way it should be'.
With that Dawson calls time on the talk. He thanks his panel who end the talk with the message that sex is a good thing and teenagers should be allowed to approach the topic in a positive and healthy environment.
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