<p data-start="6084" data-end="6349">What actually makes erotic fiction <em data-start="396" data-end="402">work</em>? Is it the heat, the heart, or the way a story makes you feel seen? This week on <a href="http://joy.org.au/hideandseek"><em data-start="4981" data-end="4996">Hide and Seek</em></a>, Jon and Joenas are joined by Melbourne-based queer author <a href="https://www.instagram.com/author.dionmarc/"><strong data-start="563" data-end="576">Dion Marc</strong></a> for a wide-ranging, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about writing desire, storytelling, and what happens once your work leaves the page and meets its readers.</p> <div class="flex max-w-full flex-col grow"> <div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&#38;]:mt-1" dir="auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="623ecac9-42ab-4c79-b037-40667c2ec915" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-2"> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]"> <div class="markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word dark markdown-new-styling"> <p data-start="753" data-end="1117">We talk about how Dion found his way into queer erotica, why he writes unapologetically gay stories, and how personal experience, fantasy, kink, and imagination collide when crafting intimate scenes. From avoiding formulaic sex writing to embracing fantasy elements (yes, including vampires), Dion shares what keeps his work feeling genuine rather than repetitive.</p> <p data-start="1119" data-end="1431">The conversation also digs into the <em data-start="1155" data-end="1166">afterlife</em> of books — reader reactions, unexpected interpretations, and the emotional impact of feedback, both good and bad. We explore representation in queer fiction, why it matters, and how stories can shape the way readers see themselves, their bodies, and their desires.</p> <p data-start="1433" data-end="1641">In the final part of the episode, Dion reflects on growth, staying grounded as an audience grows, and offers advice for queer writers — especially those curious about erotic fiction but unsure where to start.</p> <p data-start="1643" data-end="1802">Expect laughs, nerdy tangents, spicy metaphors, and a reminder that sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones written honestly, even when they’re horny.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="relative h-[60px]"> <div class="absolute h-[60px]"> <div class="text-token-text-secondary flex items-center gap-0.5 text-xs font-semibold"></div> </div> </div> <p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4102" 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size-large wp-image-4098" src="https://joy.org.au/hideandseek/wp-content/uploads/sites/144/2024/01/button-facebook-1024x84.png" alt="" width="1024" height="84" srcset="https://joy.org.au/hideandseek/wp-content/uploads/sites/144/2024/01/button-facebook-1024x84.png 1024w, https://joy.org.au/hideandseek/wp-content/uploads/sites/144/2024/01/button-facebook-300x25.png 300w, https://joy.org.au/hideandseek/wp-content/uploads/sites/144/2024/01/button-facebook-768x63.png 768w, https://joy.org.au/hideandseek/wp-content/uploads/sites/144/2024/01/button-facebook.png 1190w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></p> <p>Follow Tim <a href="https://www.instagram.com/beatzradio">instagram.com/beatzradio/</a></p> <p>Follow Jon <a href="https://www.instagram.com/barbarylion">instagram.com/barbarylion/</a></p> <p>Follow Craig <a href="https://www.instagram.com/white.dragon.339">instagram.com/white.dragon.339/</a></p> <p><em>This episode was recorded on the lands of the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.</em></p> <p>Find other JOY podcasts at <a href="http://joy.org.au/">joy.org.au</a></p>