Launched last year, the group of Canada based editors forming the collective got together to "find engaging, innovative literature that explored how South Asian cultures influence sex, and how sex influences South Asian cultures".

Zenia Wadhwani, working in the marketing and communications department of United Way of Toronto, first discussed the idea with her colleague Gurbir Singh Jolly. They teamed up with Deborah Barretto, who has worked in community publishing for many years, to uncover the project's true potential. Now, they're inviting people to contribute to 'steamy, saucy, sexy South Asian writing'.

"An emerging generation of young writers has virtually grown up with the Internet. Showcasing emerging talent was always an important goal for us, so coordinating our efforts through a Web site made perfect sense. Of course, this project's goal is to publish a book," elaborates Zenia.

Submissions, according to the guidelines, could be anything from "non-veg limericks to clever expository critiques, from narratives that tease to lush one-handed reads".

Entries for the anthology are accepted by email and are coordinated by the editors and a team of representatives from regions including Quebec, New York, Eastern Ontario B.C., Washington, California, UK and India.

Tanveer, the representative for India says that the aim of this project is to explore the "rich, intricate and intimate and occasionally anxious associations between sensuality, intimacy and cultural identity" by bringing together budding writers from around the world.

The site itself does not give any indication of what kind of writing they are looking for. Wadhwani explains: "Writing that deals with sexual fantasies, identities, and politics is incredibly diverse, thematically and stylistically. Avid readers of South Asian literature will certainly recall writing that has turned them on, and a quick search online will turn up some very daring South Asian poetry and fiction. I wouldn't want to suggest any models though. Our project invites writers to experiment."

So whether it is writing "about discovering your parents' sex toys in the false-bottom of your mom's bangle drawer, poems about sneaking away from family parties with secret lovers for a quickie, meditations on the homoerotic dimensions of some religious art" the editors encourage you to get your creative juices flowing. For shy writers, anonymity will be maintained.

Tanveer is optimistic that Indians are ready to face their own sexuality. "Indian audiences are frustrated following the whims and fancies of age old tradition; a renaissance of emotions so far locked in ethnicity is slowly emerging."

"Bolder films, funky fashion and natty nightspots" are taking India closer to a global experience, and according to him, the only stumbling block has been in presentation. "Not only in India but around the world, people are are surer of what they want, not only in terms of sexuality, but in terms of existence. Indians have always been open to a new way of thinking."

There remains the issue of upsetting India's moral police who have frequently objected to sensual images projected by television advertisements. Retorts Tanveer with a dash of humour, "Just when I start having fun, the police always show up; a funny way of presenting the thought process of an average repressed Indian soul."

"On a more serious note, there always seems to be some sort of difference of opinion, when it comes to perceiving patriarchal notions of purity. These are the literal barriers that we are trying to break through. We respect why healthy sexuality means different things to different people and are trying to explore South Asian sexuality rarely represented in mainstream culture," explains Tanveer.

One question that rears its ugly head is the difference between erotica and porn. Tanveer himself admits that "there is a thin line dividing 'saucy, steamy, sexy' and 'porn'. However one has to commit to memory that perception plays a pivotal role in manufacturing conclusions and what may be erotic to one may seem filthy to another".

The editors will keep this in mind when reviewing entries. "Taboo topics and sexual sincerities may not find favour with all and sundry, yet our endeavour will be to mull over the literary fashion, as well as thematic content, when deciding which submissions will be considered for publication."

The response has been quite enthusiastic, with over a 100 submissions coming in, according to Wadhwani. She reveals: "Some of the pieces we have already selected for publication are very racy, while others are incredibly subtle. Some challenge cultural conventions, while others affirm them."

They will filter out inappropriate content. Says Tanveer: "Writing that is one-dimensional, crudely graphic, and simply raunchy will likely not be included. Our aim is to turn people on, not necessarily get them off."

(The Masala Trois Collective is accepting late submissions, so if you want to contribute, visit desilicious.net for more details.)

Also Read: -- Countering the sleazy side of the Web -- Sex, lies and the Internet -- Advise for the lovelorn -- Sex, spelled out -- Sex surveys

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