I am trying to figure out if I can use 'aesthetical qualities' to refer to qualities that writers or readers find pleasing in texts. 

This question comes from a remark by a professor on an essay I wrote some time ago. The essay was about exilliterature - literature written by dissident or antifascist writers who left Germany during the Nazi era. To cut things short, I was trying to make the point that some of the authors picked topics for their aesthetical qualities (and not because they were trying to make a political point). 

Can I use 'aesthetical qualities' in this way? i.e. to refer to properties of texts that authors find attractive or pleasing? My professor said that I may have meant literary features. Any insight on this word would be much appreciated. 

Thank you! If I need to add more information, comment away.