Erotic literature comprises fictional and/or factual stories and accounts of human sexual relationships which have the power to or are intended to arouse the reader sexually. Such erotica takes the form of novels, short stories, poetry, true-life memoirs. A common feature of the genre is sexual fantasies, which may or may not be expressed in explicit language. Other common elements are satire and social criticism.
Much erotic literature features erotic art, illustrating the text.