Michael Forman
Dark Fiction Author | Photographer of the Unseen
“I write what most people won’t say out loud—revenge, silence, longing, adultery. These are not just story elements. They’re lived truths.”
What I Write
Psychological fiction that explores: Sexless marriages and emotional neglect. Voyeurism, denial, and quiet rage. The blurred line between victim and villain. Every story begins with a relationship falling apart—and someone quietly unravelling with it.
Why I Write
A sexless marriage became my catalyst. I turned frustration into fiction. Silence into stories. Emotional vacancy into narrative fuel. Photography shaped my lens. Years spent capturing the human form taught me to look beyond what’s visible. My writing follows that same path—into the shadows most ignore.
What to Expect
This isn’t gentle fiction. It’s raw. Honest. Sometimes uncomfortable. If you’re seeking stories that challenge morality and linger long after the last line — you’re in the right place.
Read SEETHINGS — My Debut Novel
A marriage in ruins. A killer behind the lens.
[Free on Smashwords – for a limited time]
🎧 Listen to The Dirty Rabbit Hole Podcast
Where we talk about what others won’t: intimacy, denial, and sexless love.
[Listen Now]
Hi Micheal just found your insightful podcast, I have been with the same partner for nearly 28 years married for 23 years and based on the definition of a sexless marriage of sex less than 10 times a year I’ve been sexless for 25 years. I can fully relate to everything you talk about.
Regards
Hi Cam. Thanks for writing.
It’s a headspin, that’s for sure. I found it a battle to remain calm and objective, while maintaining a ‘nice’ facade. I don’t know how you’ve managed to continue to do it for so long.
-Michael
You are welcome to contact me if you need any further input
I heard “Elissa” relate her agonizing experience with her indifferent husband today.
It sounds as though she’s still coping with that relationship and it also sounds as though she feels you and she are unusual.
The common estimate I hear is that 20% of marriages are sexless. Perhaps she could benefit from a support group of people also in sexless marriages and those who used to be and no longer are?
Could I ask you to pass along the forum ILIASM.org? (I Live In A Sexless Marriage) So many people show up there sounding a lot like she did and find a path forward. Maybe have a look and if you agree it could help, send her an email?
It’s free of charge to participate; not even a “premium membership”. Just sexless and formerly sexless people helping each other out.
Dear Mr. Forman,
Should you find it helpful to guide your listeners to ILIASM.org, the acronym is “I Live In A Sexless Marriage” – ILIASM. Likely easier to remember if you’re driving while listening.
A question, is their an audiobook version of Seethings?
Willing to ask these questions another way if it’s too much space on your comments section, but I don’t see a contact method… I’d have messaged you at ILIASM, but I didn’t know when you might visit again. Apologies. Happy to use whatever protocol works best.
Hi. Here is fine. (I check this space more often)
I’ll mention the forum again in an upcoming podcast and how the letters relate to it’s address.
Seethings isn’t currently available as an audio book but I’m working on getting it done soon!
-Michael
I listened to the vocabulary episode today.
If you ever do a follow-up, ILIASM has a glossary with more terms you might be interested in sharing:
https://iliasm.org/thread/10/glossary-abbreviations
Some of them are rather fun portmanteaus/puns.
In your “Shallow” episode, you misread my name. It’s MirrorOrchid, rather than MirrorChild. You’re not the first, won’t be the last.
Amen to the fruitcake, TV, camping, boating, and fishing marriage. It’s what I offered Mrs. MirrorOrchid a bit over three years ago.
Mirror child? Really?
Wow. That one slipped through the cracks. Sorry. It must’ve been the small print I was working with on the day.
I’ll get back to that link for a future episode. Thanks.
Let them eat cake.
-M
Fantasy. Had to block him so I would not dream of pleasure w no pleasure. Mainly because I got tired of explaining my sexless experience.
I know that feeling! -M
An ILIASM post about the term “Incel” inspired by your podcast episode “Incel or Sexless Marriage?”:
https://iliasm.org/post/147371/thread
Coining the phrase “Non-concel”
I’ll have a look.
Non-concel? Very good. I hope it sticks! -M
Hi Michael, found your podcast whilst looking up sexless marriage. I am the woman who is with-holding sex. Have you ever discussed medical issues that could be the reason for a sexless marriage? Such as, vaginal atrophy, vaginismas, menopausal dryness, sexual trauma, lowered hormones that take sexual drive away…these make sex excruciating. It’s really hard on the woman when it’s this painful & feels like knives stabbing your vaginal wall. No amount of foreplay and lubricant can grow back a think & wet vaginal wall from like a young 20s & 30s. When marriage is agreed upon, it is in sickness & health so divorce is not an option when this is medical. I know this isn’t everyone’s case, but it is mine. I have 3 medical diagnosis including vaginal scarring from childbirth (severe tear…I had 3 9 lb babies that tore my vagina in half). Maybe you could mention in your podcasts that there are medical situations that cause sex problems even with men too. I couldn’t find an email so I’m posting here. Thank you!
Hi J!
Yes, pain during sex is a matter that needs addressing on the podcast again. Men AND women can and do experience pain, but few are willing to speak up because they don’t know if it’s normal.
I’ve spoken on pain and sex on earlier episodes, but I need to update it with a new one.
Thank you for reminding me that I need to revisit the topic. Would you mind if I use your story as an example in an upcoming one?
-M
Yes please do! A few more details maybe help you present this better. I had no pain from intercourse before child birth or menopause- so it makes this more frustrating for both of us. The first 2 children born tore me but I healed. It was after the 3rd child that I took vet long to heal from 2 tears. Then after hormone changes & breast feeding caused vaginal atrophy & external micro tears from dryness. I was told this would all resolve after breast feeding & post partum, but it didn’t. Having my 3rd child at age 38 sent me into early menopause. The pain from intercourse caused me to have moderate vaginismas where the internal muscles lock in place from trauma. I tried hormonal replacement, vaginal estrogen, lubricants, counseling, and more! By 44, I had to have a hysterectomy from fibroids & anemia from Loss of blood which has created yet another internal scar. The only thing I haven’t tried is pelvic floor therapy & a device called “Mona Lisa” that sends electrical waves to damage the vaginal walls so it can grow new skin. I’ve heard it’s painful. I’m doing the pelvic therapy to give it one last go. For your listeners, a supplement called “slippery elm” can be taken to cause wetness at any age & suppositories can help too. They work, but for me it’s much more complicated.
I don’t find it odd that you haven’t replied since my last comment. Many men do not want to address the fact that women have painful sex after a certain age and have medical diagnoses. It’s also Evolutionary that women were not designed to have intercourse after a certain age. We are no longer fertile. We are no longer producing the moisture, we are no longer in the mood, we are no longer making the hormones. I put all of my medical issues above in a post, and you have never commented on it. Probably because you’re a MAM and you have no fucking idea how it feels to go through this shit. You’re just a butt hurt because YOU got cut off early in another relationship. I am over it. I’m over the fact that no one wants to really get down to the nitty-gritty of what happens to a woman in menopause. So I’m done listening to your podcast and all the bullshit cheating. Crap you have on here.
Hi J,
Thanks for posting again.
After your previous message, I recorded a new podcast episode immediately addressing your unique situation. At the end of it, I included a lengthy response in support of your attempts to make things better. Perhaps you missed it. You can listen here: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/eUIFhnn0ZKb (it was recorded and delivered Oct 2023.)
I can tell you have been in pain for a long time. I’m sure this, in part, is what fuelled your last message.
It’s true. I am a man. For this I apologise. However, in my experience as a hetero male, I’ve witnessed the effects of painful intercourse in a female. It doesn’t come close to understanding what you feel but I’m aware of it. I empathise with you.
I’ve spoken about sexual pain on the podcast before. It breaks down the many and varied forms of pain experienced during sex and communicated to medical professionals. If I suffered painful sex, it’d probably turn me off sex too. I can only imagine what you’re going through.
Unfortunately, I can’t be you. I don’t think anyone can be you. Again, I apologise.
I wish you well on your journey.
-Michael
P.S If any individual writes to me about a similar situation and wants their story told, I’m happy to share it. Someone may have found a way through the mess – maybe even a helpful solution.