Not long ago, traditional publishing stayed away from straight-forward Snakk Om Sex, with x-rated books often relegated to small indie presses or tucked away imprints. But since the rise of EL James’ Fifty Shades trilogy, many books in this genre have made it onto bestseller lists, and their sales numbers are increasing rapidly.

The Allure of the Night

These findings may reflect the wider movement towards sexual positivity, whereby sexual fantasies and fetishes are not shameful but rather seen as normal human desires that should be embraced. It also highlights the role of reading as a way to explore these fantasies and fetishes in a safe environment, facilitated by the fact that one can actively edit out parts of the story that don’t suit them, while the physical act of reading activates certain parts of the brain that make it easier to tap into the fantasy.

Interestingly, our study also found that the majority of readers of erotic novels share their views on their reading experience with others. The most popular means of doing so is by direct personal communication, followed by the use of social media platforms and internet fora.

It is likely that the pre-eminence of EL James’ Fifty Shades series in this context is related to the fact that its characters, the unexperienced Ana and her rich, domineering lover Christian Grey, have become iconic symbols of the modern erotic novel. In the meantime, other contemporary erotic bestsellers such as Audrey Carlan’s Calendar Girl and Trinity, Sylvia Day’s Crossfire series and Anna Todd’s After series have taken up this mantle.