Jong helps writers get naked in new book

Erica Jong has written a lot about sex. And she has inspired many other women to do the same since her groundbreaking novel "Fear of Flying" was published in 1973. Now, in "Sugar in My Bowl: Real Women Write about Real Sex" (Ecco, $21.99), Jong brings together 28 perspectives on the topic, making for a seductive mix of multigenerational, multiethnic voices. On Wednesday, she'll be at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington to sign copies of the book and host a screening of the Audrey Hepburn classic "Roman Holiday." In a recent telephone call, Jong discussed the art of getting naked on the page and why she considers "Roman Holiday" one of the sexiest movies ever made.

You're signing copies of an anthology about sex and screening "Roman Holiday." Why choose such a sexless movie?The movie is very seductive! In "Roman Holiday" we fall in love with a woman and with a city. There is so much flirtatiousness, it's all very beguiling. We've had such an overexposure of pornography, now we have a great desire for falling in love, not sexuality. Today we crave romance.

You've authored 22 books. Was it strange to play editor this time?I liked the opportunity to introduce new writers. I'm always in touch with writers of a younger generation because I really believe feminism is mentoring. And I like being an editor. Very often writers are nervous about showing themselves. People find it hard to write about sexuality, and at the beginning the writers often weren't completely frank. In subsequent drafts I helped them be more naked in their writing. I enjoyed pushing them beyond what they thought they could do.

Were you surprised that women found it difficult to talk about a topic you're so famous for writing about?I didn't think it would be so hard to get people to write honestly. I was shocked by how many people thought they had to get permission from their partners and children. I think your children don't ever want you to write, and certainly not about them. But the idea of permission is ridiculous -- this is another part of your identity.

Your daughter, Molly Jong-Fast, contributed an essay about your generation going too far with sex.She was very dubious about contributing. I know her view, and a lot of people in Gen X have been traumatized by parental divorces. That they want more stability is perfectly understandable to me.