Does “Anything” Really Go?

You know that old expression “anything goes?” I’ve wondered about that since I entered the world of erotic romance writing and thinking back on some of the wonderful and not so wonderful books I’ve read, I have to wonder – does anything really go?
I’ve always been pretty open minded about peoples likes and dislikes. In my opinion, if what you choose to do doesn’t hurt anyone else I say go for it. Life is too short to live with regret (or someone who takes you for granted. I’m just sayin…). Still, there are some things I choose not to read about, at least in graphic detail. I don’t mind reading in a novel that there’s been a rape or a sexually motivated murder, so long as I don’t have to read about every agonizing injury perpetrated on the victim as it’s happening. But that’s just me. Some people like that stuff and if that’s what they want to spend their money on, more power to them.
BDSM is still really big in today’s market. I’ve written plenty of it, most of it on the lighter side. I don’t write the really hard stuff because my imagination just doesn’t go there. I don’t think I could write it convincingly. Having someone cane me until I’m covered in welts and bruises is not my cup of tea. Neither is being dominated by some man, no matter how hot, but I confess that reading about it makes my heart go pitty pat.
I’ve also noticed that what may “go” with readers of one publisher may not necessarily “go” with readers of another. That one has always had me scratching my head. There really doesn’t seem to be a lot of reader overlap with the various epubs and I’m not sure I completely get why. But I digress. The point is, what one customer base likes, the other may find offensive, but here’s what really has me scratching my head: if you don’t like it, why do you read it? Most romantic erotica or even straight erotica ebooks have disclaimers that clearly tell the reader that the book contains content some may find objectionable and is not for the faint of heart. They even list what that content will be. If you don’t like that kind of stuff, it’s simple enough, don’t read it.
Now, it’s confession time. I like forced seduction. Huge fan of forced seduction. The whole idea of some totally hot alpha male focusing on my pleasure, taking me out of myself, whether I want to go or not…whuuu… Because what’s a fantasy if it doesn’t take you somewhere you can’t or won’t go in real life? Would I want this in real life? Not even for a second – well, unless it was a bit of role-play and that was part of the script. Once, in my late twenties with an old boyfriend…yeah, never mind. We won’t go there.
Ménage stories are still big. I like those too. And I’ve written one or two. Again, not something I’d consider in real life. Nope. Not even as role-play. Well…yeah, not gonna happen. There are parts of my body that are sacrosanct. But the fantasy can be ever so appealing. And isn’t that what it’s all about, the fantasy?
There are things I don’t think I’d ever write or read. Incest. Huge ick factor. Anything involving bodily waste. Ugh. Gag me with a spoon. Animals? Come on, really?
The upshot of all this is that clearly, everything does not go, at least not for everyone. But it seems there’s a market for just about anything. So let me ask the readers – what is it about BDSM and/or Ménage that makes you buy it? What is it about vampires and shifters that has you going online or to the nearest Barnes and Noble? What makes you race to the book store to pick up the latest Lora Leigh or Angela Knight? And what’s next? What do you, the reader want to see next? If you could whisper in your favorite author’s ear about your ultimate storyline, what would it be? Are you a reader for which anything goes?