Are sex scenes really so hard to write, or are we thinking about them the wrong way? What can a sex scene do? How can it achieve psychological complexity on the page? How can it communicate emotional history? How can it move the plot forward?
In this generative class, we’ll consider the power of the sex scene, and what it can accomplish in fiction and nonfiction to explore theme, character, context, and beyond. We’ll do this by doing in-class readings of sex writing from prose writers and poets alike and then doing prompts using our works-in-progress and/or drafting new work.
This craft seminar is part of the 2026 Queer Creatives Fest. Queer Creatives Fest is open to writers of all genres and creatives of all types who identify as members of LGBTQIA+ communities. We also welcome folks who are questioning their gender or sexual orientation and those who are in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ communities. Our intention is to center LGBTQIA+ people at the Fest.
