Seattle Erotic Art Festival

One of the writers I've reviewed in the past, Gene Clements, wrote to let me know that he will be reading a couple of his stories at the Seattle Erotic Art Festival (April 22nd-24th). The festival sounds like it's going to be fab from start to finish, and if you're short of cash but still want to go - fear not, you can be a volunteer. 

Festivals of this kind, and burlesque shows, are a good sign that sex and erotica are becoming increasingly accepted in society. A healthy mind in a healthy body - brooding over one of our most natural and pleasurable impulses just can't be good for you. (Gene's books are a delightful reminder that sex is for everyone, as his hero and heroine are an older couple who still enjoy their rumpy-pumpy.)

BTW, in the tradition of those adult doodling/colouring books which are designed to lower your stress levels, Gene has recently produced Tilly and Elmer - The Sexy Citizens of South Branch Coloring Book. (The cover looks deliciously like a soft focus Lichtenstein.) That should get us all mellow and in the mood! 

None of the Above

A review by stickygirl

None of the Above, by IW Gregorio: Kristin has a secret, but one that Nature has hidden from her. It is only when, as Homecoming Queen, her attention turns more seriously to her boyfriend, that the truth reveals itself.

Pucker Up and Vote!

The Literotica Valentine's Day competition is here - a list stuffed full of top class stories for you to peruse and purse your lips over. Remember - Literotica writers publish our work for free. All we ask is that you give an honest vote, and if you have time - leave a comment. We really appreciate feedback that helps us with our writing, either by pointing to what we did that you like or by suggesting areas we may need to improve. 

The Danish Girl

(In this guest post, Literotica author stickygirl gives us her thoughts on the recently released film: The Danish Girl.) 

From the perspective of a transgender woman as well a cinema-goer, I was impatient, if apprehensive, to see this film. It seems to have had such a long run of reviews these past months before its official release in the UK on 1^st January.

The Truth about Hymens and Sex

Thank you to Foo Foo Labelle for drawing my attention to this video. As a long-standing campaigner against the way 'virginity' is touted as if it were the ultimate bridal accessory, I thought I understood the hymen pretty well. Well, now that I've seen this video I do. There's a lot I didn't understand about the hymen which is explained very well and very funnily here by Adam Ruins Everything.

Selection Box - a Burlesque Christmas Party

Come on now, Christmas just isn't Christmas without those selection boxes of chocolates and biscuits. So of course the burlesque presented a delicious selection box of acts for us to party to in the runup to Christmas Day.

I always love taking along a friend who hasn't been to burlesque before. The 'O' of their mouth as they realise how much fun it is. The shaking with laughter, the gasping with amazement, the sparkle of sexiness. Even though they know, because I told them, they always comment on how seeing women of all different shapes and sizes makes us feel good about ourselves.

Burlesque is about watching performers who are freely being themselves, and that makes you feel free to enjoy being yourself. Frankly, it is just a sign of how sexist and sick our society is, that there isn't a burlesque show being put on in a top venue every weekend for women (and men) to go to and enjoy seeing how sexy and smart and super every woman is. (Yes, you too. If you don't believe me, go to a burlesque show and find out.)

Mobile Home for the Holidays

I mentioned in my review of the winner from Literotica's 2015 Winter Holiday competition that I know what it is to be homeless. The story I review here takes place against a background of a less well understood homelessness, more likely to be experienced by women. Homelessness doesn't always mean having to sleep rough. Many homeless have a job, but the high price of housing and lack of suitable rented accomodation forces them to sleep on friends' floors or try to find other ways to stay safe - and clean.