Saucepots across the pond are being offered the chance to unlock their libidos at a new monthly gathering.

Clinical sexologist Susana Mayer set up Philadelphia's Erotic Literary Salon with the intention of opening up conversations about sex and sexuality "in a big way".

She explained to City Paper reporters that attendees will read their favourite pieces of erotica to each other as part of her plan to de-mystify the 'dirty'.

"I thought, we all do this in our bedroom, are we ready to do it out in the public? Are we ready to read about it and share it?" remarked the sexpert.

On the subject of all things taboo, she continued: "I think on some level erotica has been mainstreamed.

"But we still keep erotica in our bedrooms - for some people, it will always stay in the bedroom."

Sex writer and blogger Susie Bright suggested in recent weeks that a growing trend for bondage-style clothes and increased sex jokes in telly sitcoms are signs of erotica's entry to the mainstream.

The sensual scribe noted that erotic fiction is no longer a niche market, and publishers have become more open to immortalising naughty notions on paper as a result.

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