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I am writing about a main character who begins the story as a virgin, and over the course of the story escalates her sexual behavior from 1 on 1 heterosexual sex to prostitution and then to what might be described as some more extreme, potentially risky sexual practises.

However, I am wondering how far is too far? How far can the story go before turning the titillating into a turn-off?

For example, the MC, as a prostitute with some magical abilities, has the opportunity to help a client with some taboo fantasies (sexualised cannibalism in this case) experience his fantasies without anyone actually being hurt, in a manner similar to a hyper-real VR that affects all the senses. As to why she might help such a person with such a fantasy, it's because doing so is (for her) no more difficult than helping any other client, and her goal is not to facilitate a present or future criminal act but to safely defuse it by making the (fake) reality not live up to the client's fantasy.

However, while this follows the MC's trend of ever more extreme sexual practises, would this (and other taboo fantasies that other potential clients might have) be a step too far?

By "A step too far", I mean that the content that may be titillating to some - mostly those with the fetish described - would be a turn-off to a large number of potential readers.

Describing sex in a non-erotic fiction is not a duplicate of this question... my work would be considered erotic fiction, and there are most certainly no 'fade to black' moments.

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    Does this answer your question? Describing sex in a non-erotic fiction
    – Arcanist Lupus
    Commented Jan 4, 2022 at 8:05
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    can you clarify what do you mean by 'a step too far'? As it is stated it is largely opinion-based.
    – NofP
    Commented Jan 4, 2022 at 8:17
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    @wetcircuit I beg to differ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_cannibalism --- maybe not what the OP was referring to, but it does exist
    – NofP
    Commented Jan 4, 2022 at 13:28
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    There's an audience for everything. What is your target audience? On what kind of platform do you intend to publish your story?
    – Mast
    Commented Jan 4, 2022 at 15:39
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    Just a reminder that this question/subject may not be your cup of tea, so your options are: 1) Ignore it or 2) gentle redirection (like a teaching moment). Let's keep it civil, thanks!
    – Laurel ♦
    Commented Jan 4, 2022 at 15:55

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If you're writing erotic fiction, then you need to consider your audience. For some, they have no boundaries and are more than eager to see more of your work. Most are not going to be into more taboo fantasies, particularly sexual cannibalism. If you are going too far for a conventional audience, then this idea you have may not be a good fit. Sexual cannibalism is a niche fetish all on its own, not to mention what else you may wish to add. If you are writing about sexual taboos, expect the large majority to be turned off. If you want to please the masses, write about vanilla sex.

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