PHOTO: Kit Erikson, award-winning author and storyteller, known for his heartwarming and sexy M/M romance novels, photographed in Portland, Oregon.
Award-Winning Author Blends Heat Humour And Emotional Truth
Kit Erikson discusses crafting authentic M/M romance, the emotional depth behind his characters, and how his background as a tailor influences his storytelling process.
Kit Erikson writes the kinds of love stories he once longed to read—honest, humorous, and brimming with heat. His world is one where men fall hard, fumble their way through vulnerability, and emerge changed, stronger, more open to the possibilities of love. With his award-winning debut, Better Than Sex, Erikson has already carved a space for himself in the thriving niche of contemporary M/M romance, bringing with him a sharp wit, a tailor’s attention to structure, and a deep emotional sincerity.
There’s something refreshing in his refusal to hold back. Whether exploring the emotional subtext of banter, or leaning unapologetically into raunch and realism, Erikson never sacrifices authenticity for convention. His characters swear, stumble, and seduce with all the complexity of real life—messy, funny, sexy, and vulnerable.
It’s perhaps no surprise that a man who sews for a living also revels in the act of revision, of shaping something raw into something beautiful. As a writer, he stitches humour into heartbreak, and structure into chaos, all in pursuit of a deeper emotional truth. Erikson reminds us that love—real, lasting love—isn’t neat. But it’s always worth it.
Your debut novel, Better Than Sex, won Silver Medals at both the 2024 Global Book Awards and Bookfest Awards. How did this recognition influence your approach to writing subsequent books?
Winning two silver medals was deeply validating, especially as an author writing in a genre that’s often overlooked or dismissed. Someone outside my own head was saying, “Your book matters. Your writing is worth paying attention to.”
I don’t take the achievement for granted, though. It raises the stakes! Since Better Than Sex was so well-received, I feel the pressure to not let readers down with my future work. With each project, I try to dig a little deeper, exploring riskier storylines and deeper emotional arcs, without losing the distinctive elements of my style: playful banter, tearful heartfelt moments, and of course, hot sex scenes.
Overall, the awards encouraged me to up my game – I’m going for the gold with future books!
In Better Than Sex, Spencer helps Mickey come out of his shell in ways that are both humorous and heartfelt. How do you approach the balance between humor and emotional depth when developing your characters?
The emotional truth comes first. With each scene, I do a quick writing exercise to get past my first ideas and uncover the character’s deepest wants and fears in that moment. Then I look for ways to bring in a little levity, if it’s appropriate, without forcing the humor.
Humor sometimes comes in the form of playful banter when everyone is feeling good, and that’s a joy to write. But humor can also be a way to deflect; people often crack jokes when they’re feeling nervous, vulnerable, or overwhelmed. In those situations, the jokes aren’t just comic relief ¬– they’re an expression of the scene’s deeper emotional subtext.
In Better Than Sex, Spencer often uses humor as a shield against his inner pain. But just as much, he uses it to put Mickey at ease, and to slip past Mickey’s defenses, so the two can connect on a deeper level.
You’re a tailor by trade, and you’ve mentioned working on a future romance involving a tailor. How does your background in this craft inform your storytelling?
Pattern-making taught me to start with structure. The same is true for writing (for those in the know, yes, I’m a plotter). I need to understand the shape of the story, the emotional silhouette if you will, before I begin writing the prose.
In garment construction, the first prototype will need alterations, in the same way a first draft will need revisions. Unlike some authors, I love the revision process. It’s those subtle (and not-so-subtle) refinements that bring the story closer to the vision in my head.
When I finally write a romance featuring a tailor, the character will draw heavily from my life experience. Don’t worry – I won’t make him one of those too-perfect self-insert characters. He’ll have his flaws… God knows I have plenty to choose from!
How do you ensure authenticity in portraying your characters’ emotional journeys?
It’s common writing advice, but it can’t be overstated enough: Plot arises from character, it’s not imposed on the character.
When a character does something “because the plot requires it,” it feels inauthentic. The character’s actions aren’t rooted in his inner struggles.
Therefore, when designing a character, I fully map out his arc so I can understand every step of his journey. What lessons will he learn? What will challenge his most deeply held beliefs? What pain will he experience? What will he lose? How will he prove himself?
Once I understand what these pain points are, I can design the plot events that poke and prod at them, until the character’s tried-and-true defense mechanisms no longer work and he realizes the need for change. It’s a change that’s earned, because he wasn’t just “going through the motions” – he was facing trials designed to catalyze authentic emotional growth.
Your work includes explicit language and sexual situations (described by one reviewer as “unapologetically raunchy”). What’s behind that choice?
Early on in my writing career, I decided I wouldn’t hold anything back. My characters were going to do what real people do – swear, drink, do drugs, and have sex. Lots of sex.
I could’ve toned down my language to make my work more “literary.” But sex is a valid part of the human experience, and I don’t see any reason to flinch from describing it in explicit detail. There’s emotional truth in sex, and you miss out on that when you back away and close the door.
And let’s face it, sex scenes are fun to write! Sometimes, I have to act them out – for research purposes, of course. It’s one of the many perks of the job.
What advice would you offer to aspiring authors aiming to create authentic and engaging M/M romance narratives?
Show the men falling in love. Don’t skimp on the swoony, vulnerable, getting-to-know-you moments that readers love.
And please include real conflict – no softballs! “Love conquers all” only works if there’s something for it to conquer. Love shouldn’t come easy. It should challenge and transform the characters. A “happily ever after” only resonates if the men are better off for having found one another.
Writing a memorable romance is harder than most people think. But stick with it. Crafting love stories has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
