A Deeper Shade of Sex explores erotic possibilities as imagined and reported by more than 70 authors, both well known and emerging. This collection, including poetry, fiction, and essays, covers a compelling breadth of styles and emotions in contemporary African American writing. As editor Reginald Martin notes, "The pieces collected in this volume throb with the tempo and tenor of writers who have defined the erotic verve of our urban times. Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, New Orleans -- every place there is a bus line or dance club has produced African-American eroticism . . ."