Should Authors Avoid Controversy

I am about to release my new novel, The Fifth Step. Missy Alcott leads a perfect life. Married to a successful preacher, she plays the role of mother, partner, and lover with submission and detail to duty. However, her dream life collapses when she discovers her husband is addicted to pornography and in an online relationship with porn queen, Jasmine Clyne.

Doug Alcott, the preacher, deludes himself. He never physically cheats on his wife. Watching porn is only a little sin—no harm to anyone but himself. However, when Roy Stone, an enemy of Jasmine’s, abducts Missy and Jasmine for ransom, his world collapses. He learns there is no such thing as a little sin as his indiscretion threatens is marriage, his ministry, and his wife’s life.

As an author, I feel obligated to write an honest portrayal of how people speak, dress, act, appear, and think. You see my dilemma. My basic premise is everyone has a weakness, preachers included. How each of us deals with our flaws either grows us into stronger human beings or weakens us into becoming a servant to our own pride. In The Fifth Step, Missy, Doug, and Jasmine are put to the test. Will their actions under duress prove them worthy of forgiveness, repentance, and trust?

I have voluntarily rated this book NC-17. I have written a very controversial novel, and I’ve written this novel honestly. Some very difficult events take place, before God’s love and forgiveness shows through. I recently received a rejection letter from a literary agent. To synopsize, she loved my writing, but her agency avoids the subject matter.

So my question is: Should authors avoid controversial subject matter? My answer is No. t’s yours?