ETO Awards | K D Grace

After my amazing evening at the ETO Awards in Birmingham, which followed fast on the wild time at Smut by the Sea, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be a winner. Though some chick named E.L. James nabbed the Best Erotic Author award at the ceremony, and that right after we had just finished our very phallic, very creamy dessert, Kay Jaybee and I have talked a lot since about how we felt like, ultimately, we came away the winners. First of all it was totally amazing just being nominated for such an award. For a writer to know that her craft is appreciated is a very big deal. And certainly just experiencing the excitement of ETO itself, and dressing up in our party frocks with our blokes on our arms and drinking fizz and feasting with the big names in the erotic industry was a recipe for a great time.

Plus it was wonderful to see so many of the people we admire and care about taking away those shiny trophies and bottles of champagne. These lovely winners were people who have supported us and encouraged us and helped us get where we both are as writers. Plus they were all people who promote the celebration of sex and erotica as a celebration of life itself. Okay, K D, now you’re just sounding soppy! But really, it’s true. It was great to see people who had done so much getting much-deserved recognition for work well-done. In all honesty, there were several categories in which we didn’t know who to cheer for because everyone on the list deserved to win in our eyes. In fact they were all already winners, regardless of who took the trophy home.

Congratulations to Xcite Press for winning Best Erotic Books Brand. Really, that felt almost like winning in itself, since they do such a fab job with our books.

Congratulations to Sh! Womens Erotic Emporium for winning Most innovative Retailer. I’m sure I don’t have to say how much we love the Sh! Ladiez and all that they do. On a list of my heroes, they are pretty damn close to the top.

Congratulations to Lovehoney, who took away the award for Best Online Retailer. No one has done more to promote my novels then Lovehoney, and they are on my love-you-forever list big-time.

Congratulations to Cara Sutra who won Best Erotic Journalist. I love her dearly for her promotion of my work and her encouragement. Plus her blog is fab.

And congratulations to Ms James for changing the playing field for all of us in exciting and interesting ways. We all owe her big-time for that, I figure. So hats off and salute.

And now, with that all in mind, I got to thinking what my award list would look like if I were ETO and I got to vote all the votes and choose all the winners –preferably while enjoying one of those yummy bottles of bubbly, of course. So with that in mind, I’m being a bit silly and self-indulgent and making my own list of winners It’s list that’s much closer to my heart, and it’s only a partial list. If I put all the amazing folks I’ve had the pleasure of associating with because of erotica this post would be endless. But here it is, the First Annual-ish KDO Awards!

And the winners of the KDO Awards are:

*Winners of the Sharing the Love Award are Victoria Blisse & Kevin Mitnik Bliss for their tireless efforts to promote and celebrate erotica and to help other writers do the same. You two are amazing!

*Winners of the Most Courageous and All-Around Lovely People I know Award are, without a doubt, the Sh! Ladiez! I’m in awe at all you do and how you do it in such a sexy, compassionate, fabulous way. Massive hugs to all of you! You are my heroes!

*Winners of the Good Golly, Ms Holly’s-in-the-Daily-Mail Award are LoveHoney. I didn’t see that one coming, and my heart still races when I think about it. Thanks for all you fabulous promotion of my work, much of which I don’t even know about as the results come rolling in. You’re the best!

* Winners of the You’re My Publisher and I think You’re Totally Cool Award are Xcite Books for obvious reasons. What a wild and wonderful ride it’s been. Thanks for sharing it with me!

*Winner of the Loveliest Smile Award has to be Tabitha Rayne. I can’t look at your smile and not feel better, Tabitha. Thanks!

*Winner of the Group-I’m-Most-Honoured-to-be-Apart-of Award are the Brit Babes. Your support and camaraderie are invaluable to me. Thanks so much for all you do!

*Winners of the Best Pet Namers Ever Award without a doubt goes to the fabulous Bowness family. Hope Stella and Tino are staying out of trouble!

*Winner of the I’ve Looked at Erotica from Both Sides Now Award is the brilliant and naughty Remittance Girl. Thanks for helping me look at erotica and romance from some seriously new and thought-provoking angles. You’re amazing!

*Winner of the Best Ode to an Inflatable Doll Award is Ashley Lister. I’m still moved to tears (of laughter) when I think about you delicious tribute to Betty.

*Winner of the Best at Taking Good Care of this Writer Award could be none other than my lovely husband, Raymond Dickey. Volim te mnogo, Slatki!

*Winner of the Sexiest Reading Voice I’ve Ever Heard Award goes to the delicious Rose Caraway for her sultry reading of my short story, Pharomones. Your podcasts are totally amazing! YOU are totally amazing, Rose!

*Winner of the Best Evil Publicist and PR Person Award could be none other than Lucy Felthouse. EP, what would I ever do without you?

*Winner of Best Partner in Crime and Terrible Twin Award is, of course, Kay Jaybee. The writing journey wouldn’t be nearly so much fun without you, Hon.

Sorry, but as much as I’d like to oblige, you lot don’t get a shiny trophy or a bottle of champagne. You don’t even get a cheap can of beer. But what you do get, and already have, is my respect, love and undying gratitude for being endlessly amazing and totally fabulous.

Muah! Muah! Muah! from my virtual podium on my virtual stage as the Self-indulgents — the troupe of virtual dancing girls I’ve hired for the grand finale, twirl their nipple tassels and kick up their heels to bring this years KDO Awards to a thrilling close. I can hardly wait for next year!

A special thanks to the very fabulous Kevin Mitnik Blisse for creating the gorgeous KDO Awards badges! You’re the best, Kev!

It’s been awhile since I’ve had a news update and with an exciting summer fast approaching and lots of things happening, I thought it was time I caught everyone up on the latest. So grab your diaries and mark the dates and hold on to your hats. It’s gonna be a wild ride!

COMING SOON!

In the Flesh London Re-launch

One of America’s rudest reading events, In the Flesh, relaunches in London on May 29th giving well-known erotic writers the chance to share their work with their readers. For four years In the Flesh was a popular monthly event on the New York street calendar. Curated by erotic writer editor Rachel Kramer Bussel it featured the best writers in erotica from the US & UK.

Sponsored by Xcite Books and hosted by bestselling erotic memoirist Suzanne Portnoy, In The Flesh London will be held on the last Wednesday of every month at the Alley Cat Bar & Club on Denmark Street starting on 29^th May from 6.30pm – 8.30pm.

The first session features readings by prolific erotica authors Liz Coldwell (former editor of FORUM magazine), KD Grace, Jilly Boyd and will be hosted by Suzanne Portnoy, author of The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker: The Intimate Adventures of a Woman Who Can’t Say No.

The venue The Alley Cat is located in the basement of what was once the famous Regent Sound Studios on Denmark Street. Denmark Street has an illustrious history, where the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, Elton John and David Bowie recorded songs but also where serial murderer Denis Nilson worked in the Job Centre on the corner.

Details:

Date: 29^th May

Time: 6.30-8.30pm

Place: The Alley Cat Bar & Club,4 Denmark Street, London WC2

What: Erotic Reading Night sponsored by Xcite Books,.

Get your tickets here, FREE! http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/6634737679/estw#

Come join us for rude reading pleasure and lots of surprises.

ETO Best Erotic Author Nomination

That’s right, I’ve been nominated! I can still hardly believe it! I’m very excited to be on the short list for Best Erotic Author 2013, as voted for by subscribers to the ETO Magazine! This is the first year ETO has had a category for Best Erotic Author, so I feel a bit like a pioneer!

And just look at who I share that honour with: Rachel Kramer Bussel and Kay Jaybee!! Also on the list are a couple of writers I’m sure no one has ever heard of before, but I wish them well anyway – EL James and Sylvia Day. (heh, heh!) I’m chuffed to bits just to be nominated and to be in such fine company. And I’m even more chuffed that I’ll actually be able to be in Birmingham on the 23^rd of June for the ETO with author extraordinaire and good friend, Kay Jaybee to do a little bit of book signing for Xcite Books. Then afterwards, it’s off to the award ceremony, dawlings! Black dress and pearls at the ready!

And it gets even better! As if it wasn’t enough to get to be in Birmingham for the ETO Awards, I’ll be coming down from Scarborough after a wild and crazy Saturday at

Smut by the Sea

Smut by the Sea: Scarborough 2013 is an Adults Only Event held at Scarborough Library on the 22nd June. It’s a celebration of smut with erotic authors, including myself, performing short readings from stories covering a wide variety of genres. There’ll be a little something for everyone and loads of fun for all.

In the Evening there’s a Launch Party Extravaganza with fun, laughter & prizes galore and lots more, including an exclusive performance of a scene from The Eye of the Beholder, the wildly wicked, quirky burlesque play I’ve written with the multi-talented Moorita Encantada, who will be performing. Check out the schedule of events and if you want to join the fun, all you need to know is on the Smut by the Sea website. I hope to see you there.

Eroticon 2014

Yes, I know it’s still a long ways away, but it’ll be here way before we know it, and I just have to share the news that I’m going to be speaking with the fabulous Victoria Blisse at Eroticon next year, on a subject that is near and dear to both of our hearts, Sex and Spirituality. Victoria and I have been dreaming and scheming this topic for a while now, so it will be great fun to finally be able to share our thoughts on a very important topic and have a whole roomful of erotic authors and bloggers share their thoughts with us.

Also, I’ve been asked to do another writing workshop for Eroticon 2014. I’m very much looking forward to that, since it was so much fun last year. I’ll be keeping you updated on dates, times, places and all the fab speakers as the event draws nearer, and I’m sure I’ll be able to convince Ruby Kiddell into telling us more as time grows closer.

What’s in a Name?

We authors need lots of validation, as we’re very much a neurotic lot, or at least I am. We need to feel the love, probably more often than most people. Sometimes that happens in the form of award nominations or good reviews or being asked to speak or read at an event or someone simply saying they enjoyed our book. And sometimes it happens in completely unexpected ways. Last weekend I was validated and shown the love in the most unexpected and most moving way I can ever remember, so I had to share it with you.

Most of you know Chris and Caroline Bowness. They’ve been on the Passionate Partners segment of my blog and Chris is now a regular contributor with his Consenting Adults post once a month. (He also has a weekly Consenting Adults news round-up you won’t want to miss)In fact I met Chris on Facebook when he messaged me to say that both he and Caroline had enjoyed my novel, The Pet Shop, and from there, we struck up a friendship.

Last weekend, the Bowness family welcomed two new members to the household, two rescue puppies, half Jack Russell and half Chiuaua. Imagine my delight to learn that these two bundles of energy (which all of Chris and Caroline’s FB friends saw bounding around on the lovely video they shot and shared on FaceBook) were named Stella and Tino! Yup! That’s right! The lovely Caroline and Chris named their naughty Pets after MY naughty Pets! For those of you who don’t know, and haven’t yet read my novel, The Pet Shop (shame on you if you haven’t!) Stella and Tino are the main characters, and Tino is a very naughty Pet, indeed! I have it on good authority that Tino Bowness is misbehaving just like his namesake!

So, to Caroline and Chris Bowness, a heart-felt thanks. There is no compliment you could have possibly paid me, as a storyteller, that would have meant more to me.

Oh, and make sure to tune in next Thursday, the 30^th, for the next instalment of Consenting Adults – Chris’s tribute to Masturbation Month with that mysterious world of male sex toys revealed!

In Other News:

Most of you who follow me on Twitter or are friends on Facebook know that my counterpart, Grace Marshall, is hard at work on novel three of her Executive Decisions trilogy, The Exhibition. At the moment she has just passed the 34,000 word mark, which is roughly a third of the way, and she has left Staci and Harris in a very awkward situation, where they’ll probably have to remain until after the long weekend. Hubby’s lovely sister, Cindy, her OH Pat and the fabulous niece, Juanita, are coming all the way from the steamy south of the US to the bracing English spring for a visit. This bank holiday Monday, Grace wants to take them all to the County Show to see the fancy chickens and eat some fresh strawberries and cream … all for inspiration, you know. I think she might allow me to go along if I promise to behave myself.

Wishing you all a strawberries and cream sort of weekend … and fancy chickens too if you’re so inclined!