It all started because I’m lucky enough to have lots of great writing friends in the UK. Some of them live in London, but many live all over the UK. Some of my friends were coming down to London for the Body Temperature and Rising launch party. I wanted a way to let them know how much I appreciated their efforts. A reading slam the night before the launch so that everyone could read if they wanted to and have a chance to promote and share their own work seemed like just the ticket.
I was surprised and touched by the positive response to the idea, an idea which I actually found a little bit scary, as I’d never organized an event like a reading slam before. But everyone seemed so excited.
Writer, Rebecca Bond suggested I making it into a charity event. My pulse rate went up, I bit off the rest of my nails, and when I finally stopped hyperventilating, I emailed my dear friend, Sarah Berry and put the idea to her. Sarah quickly calmed my panic attack and assured me that not only COULD we do a reading slam as a fundraiser for charity, but we SHOULD! And WE DID IT!
Last night, Sh! Portobello was THE place to be. Fun and drinks started at 6:30 with fizz all around, magical cookies from the undomestic
goddess, and cupcakes to die for furnished by Lucy Felthouse’s OH, the fabulous Ian. Ian, all I can say YUMMM!
The fun and festivities commenced to a full house, standing room only. There were twelve readers, and everyone with a unique style and a powerful, sexy voice. There was everything from sexy, if dangerous vampires, to an ode to fabulous fine art of masturbation, to baudy strip tease nastiness, to almost, but not quite the Full Monty. All of this surrounded by the sensual, provocative artwork of Jess Pritchard, Fuschia Ayling, and Shay Briscoe. Oh, and did I mention it was at Sh!, Portobello? If ever there was a formula for filthy, feisty fun, this is it!
The cast of smutters included rising stars, first timers and some people who I can only describe as gods and goddesses in the world of smut. I felt humbled and honoured to be in such deliciously nasty company. The cast of filthiness included Kay Jaybee, Lexie Bay, Lucy Felthouse, The Dragon King’s Daughter, Liz Coldwell, Annie Player, Sarah Berry, Janine Ashbless, Ernesto Sarezale, Lynn Mann, Meg Philip. And I — that’s right, little ole me — I got to read with this fabulous crew!
Poetry, performance, and deliciously smutty fiction were the order of the evening as we all did our best to celebrate the cornucopia of pleasure, intimacy and flat-out fun that is human sexuality, while raising awareness and a little money for a good cause, the Sexual Advice Association.
Here’s what a few of the readers had to say about the event:
Kay Jaybee says:
What a fabulous idea! A reading slam that helps promote an excellent charity, introduces people to new readers and writers work, with the fun of lots of naughtiness. Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’
Liz Coldwell, author extraordinaire and editor for Xcite Books says:
‘It’s great to help showcase the depth of erotic writing in the UK, alongside so many talented
authors. And it’s also nice to be able to help my former Forum colleague, Sarah Berry, raise
awareness of an important sexual issue. Oh, and I also think the world needs to hear more quality smut.’
A hot quote from Lexie Bay’s reading from Taken With Concent from the anthology, Uniform Behaviour
Maddy shivered, imagining him pinning her down on her bed, pushing her arms above her head and forcing her legs apart with one swift twist of his. She ran her tongue across her lips, catching the bottom one between her teeth, watching him wiping the sweat off his face as his colleague locked the door and slammed the hatch closed on the torrent of abuse. In his short-sleeved shirt, she could see that his arms were tanned with a light covering of hair and she sighed. Right now she should be wrapped in another pair of sexy arms….
Author, Meg Philip says:
I appreciate each opportunity to interact with my fans and any audience who takes an interest in my work so, when I was approached by KD Grace to take part in this Reading Slam for such a worthy cause (Sexual Advice Association) well, how could I say no?
Annie Player, captivating poet and founder of Erotic Meet says:
… “So many good things in one night! Having read KD Grace’s book, ‘The Initiation of Miss Holly’ for the Erotic Awards last year and hearing her read at Fannying Around’s first birthday party It’s an absolute pleasure to be joining her celebrations for the launch of her new book. Plus meeting and catching up with a multitude of talented erotic writers AND all for a fabulous cause! Phew!”
The set-up for Lucy Felthouse’s nasty dogging story read will give you a hint of the naughty tone of the evening.
When the door banged open and a group of his colleagues piled into the room, Police Constable David Beckett jumped, almost spilling his coffee onto his computer keyboard. He’d been enjoying a nice, peaceful game of Solitaire before beginning his shift and now they’d screwed his concentration, not to mention his high score. He closed down the game resignedly and wryly observed his workmates as they got whatever was riling them out of their system.
And, no! I’m not going to give you the nasty bits, but here’s where you can get them. Sweetmeat Press’s anthology, Immoral Views.
The Dragon King’s Daughter smiled wickedly and gave us this sexy snippet from her reading.
“and, no I will not analys
The origin of my desires.
Care not to seek the references
Pertaining to my preferences”
The evening was fast paced, full of smut and laughter, with the Queen of BDSM, Kay Jaybee wielding the spanker and applying it liberally to the bottom of any reader who didn’t stick to the five minute time limit. Special attention was paid to Meg Philip’s lovely bottom, as she gladly took the punishment so we could all hear the ‘climax’ of her hot story. The evening was a lovely celebration of sexuality and the written word, and all for a good cause. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m still basking in the afterglow. Thanks everyone! You were all, audience, Sh! hostesses, Shelly and Leala, and readers alike, totally the best!
Disclaimer: I’m writing this on very little sleep and still OD-ing from a fab weekend, so please feel free to let me know if I have left anyone out or not put in a link that I should have put in and I’ll make sure it gets added.
It was such a brilliant event honey – you really rocked it! Massive love to you! R x
Thanks, Sweetie!
And it was totally fabulous to see you You made the evening even brighter!
KX
Thanks so much KD! Such a fun night, and your reading from ‘Body Temperature and Rising’ left me all of a puddle… I mean muddle! Here’s to the cookie’s working their magic -x-
Thanks Annie! And thanks for making us all hot and bothered with you sexy poetry! It was such a fun evening!
Kx
Aw, that sounds like so much fun!! Sorry I couldn’t have been there–it must have been a blast.
Would have loved to have had you there to share in all the fun, Sweetie! Can’t wait to see you in October!
Kxx
Just a wonderful evening all round- haven’t laughed and smiled so much in ages!! Much fun- and rather naughty!! xx
I think you enjoyed your roll as Enforcer and Spanker Extraordinaire way too much, Sweetie! But then again you do it so well … And your reading def had people squirming in their seats.
Kx