My First Smut is a recurring feature where we talk about our formative smut experiences. These short confessionals may include such details as: What book did you read? How old were you? Were there other people involved? What made the experience special? What role does smut play in your life?
This week, romantic suspense author Kelly Finley talks Fear of Flying and the role of smut in combatting shame about sexuality.
First romance novel you read
Fear of Flying by Erica Jong
How old were you?
almost too young (maybe about 13)
How’d you get your hands on the book?
I stole the tattered copy from my mom’s bookshelf
What was the reading experience like?
The biggest thrill—a mix of shock, fascination and that yummy stomach tickle you get when you’re young. And most of all, intrigued. I wanted to read more books like it.
What made the experience special?
Now I realize what a landmark book that was for the sexual revolution, women’s fiction, smut and feminism. It made me expect a proud celebration of women’s sexuality. And also to know when shame was being peddled instead.
What role does smut play in your life?
Smut is empowering. There should be no shame in adult, consensual sexuality. Be it on the page, on the screen, or in our lives. Shame begets silence. Silence perpetuates violence. I see smut as one of the many ways to counter rape culture and sexual violence. My only wish? We had more diverse voices, genders and sexualities in the genre.
Connect with Kelly:
www.kellyfinley.com | Instagram @kellyfinleyauthor
Thanks Kelly! We look forward to reading Kelly’s book Pierce Her, which features a bad-ass female bodyguard. Watch this space for a review coming soon!
Have an early smut experience you’d like to share with us? If you’d like to see your story featured, send us an email or fill out our questionnaire and we’ll post it in an upcoming week.
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