Sex, Violence, and Bad Language: Everything That Makes a Book Great

Mature content can add power to a story when it serves character and plot. John Rector, Jonathan Woods, S.J. Rozan, and Scott Phillips discuss why elements like sex, violence, and strong language have a place in crime fiction when used with intention. This session explores how these choices can deepen realism, sharpen character development, and raise narrative stakes rather than feeling gratuitous.