Guardian Masterclass

 by Ashley Lister

 Overview

Erotic writing has never been so popular. Last year EL James's Fifty Shades of Grey topped book charts around the world, and the popularity of the genre shows no sign of subsiding. But sex scenes are among the hardest things for an author to write: done well they add a frisson of excitement to any narrative, done badly they leave readers cringing. This two-day course will consider character, plot, dialogue, point of view and narrative technique – all with a specific focus on erotic content – to help writers avoid embarrassment and make the sexual content of any story appear seamless, appropriate and exciting.

Students will come away with a knowledge of what makes successful erotic fiction and an understanding of how their erotic fiction works for contemporary audiences and how it might be improved.
Course description

Day One includes a mixture of theory and practice. After discussing the balance between literary, commercial and personal erotica, writers will start work on a single erotic scene from a plot of their own devising. Day One will also include an overview of character as writers explore appropriate erotic terminology for their narrative style. All of this writing will be supported by peer feedback, criticism and appraisal.

Day Two will begin by considering ways to stimulate ideas for inspiring new and original erotic fiction. There will be a reprisal of erotic characters, an overview of dialogue, and learners will be given opportunities to experiment with dialogue and description. The course will conclude with a lecture on the current markets for erotic fiction.
Tutor profile

Ashley Lister is the author of How to Write Erotic Fiction and Sex Scenes (How to Books), a step-by-step guide to writing erotic fiction. He has published more than two dozen pseudonymous novels, with the UK's leading erotic imprints: HarperCollins Mischief, Xcite Books, Virgin's Nexus, Chimera Publishing and Silver Moon.

Aside from producing short stories, published in world-class anthologies, Ashley is a regular contributor to the Erotica Readers & Writers Association blog: a successful collaboration of UK and US blogging authors, aimed at readers and writers of erotica and erotic romance. He currently teaches creative writing to HE students and is an occasional performance poet.
To book
http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian-masterclasses/how-to-write-erotica

Beards and Front Marriages

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The Libertine by Saskia Walker

So what is the Taskill Witches series all about? These stories are erotic romances with a paranormal twist and they’re set in Scotland during the time of the witch trials. Each novel tells the story of one Taskill sibling, Jessie, Lennox, and Maisie. These three Scots were split up as children when their mother was put to death for practising witchcraft. As adults they are hiding their craft in a time when the witch hunts are still going on — although the series is set towards the end of this turbulent period in British history, when change is
imminent and the laws on “witchcraft” were about to be revoked.

What type of witches are they? We might call them Pagans, Wiccans or white witches. They consider themselves healers and gifted ones who practise ancient, magical ways. At the core of their craft is their
sexuality and the belief in the vitality and power that can be sourced through physical congress and love making. They are lusty, unashamed folk! During their tales, Jessie, Lennox, and Maisie are trying to find one another again, but it’s because of the lover they meet in their own story that they cross paths with their kin again.

THE LIBERTINE

Lennox Taskill is a dissolute rogue, a powerful witch who some say even trades his enchantments for profit when it pleases him. His only loyalty is to his coven, his disdain for humanity sealed by the searing memory of his mother burning at the stake. So when the wife of a wealthy landlord comes seeking his help, the beguiling Chloris Keavey unwittingly presents Lennox with his greatest opportunity for distraction...and retribution.

By failing to produce an heir, Chloris faces a terrible threat: being turned out by her heartless husband. Now, she vows to get with child, even if it means surrendering her body—and soul—to Lennox’s seductive magic. But with a witch hunt brewing, Lennox and Chloris are soon risking everything for their forbidden nights of ecstasy…and to protect the secret that could cost them their lives.


To buy The Libertine: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Libertine-Saskia-Walker/dp/0373777396/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361441427&sr=1-1

You can find out more about Saskia Walker and her writing at http://www.saskiawalker.co.uk/

www.saskiawalker.blogspot.com

THE HARLOT ~ February 2013. THE LIBERTINE ~ March 2013. THE JEZEBEL ~ April 2013.

Justine Elyot

 Five tips on writing erotic fiction from Justine Elyot: 

1) Start by writing about what turns you on. Don't worry about catering for every taste – you can't.

2) Don't be coy. Don’t fret about what people will think of you, or your writing will feel watered down and lacking in force.

3) A lot of the eroticism of a story will come from the characters, the predicaments, the settings or other details. Don't invest everything in the acts themselves.

4) Hmm, a lot of 'don'ts' here. Don't take any notice of a list full of don'ts.

5) Do enjoy it, or it won't work.
Almost everything wrong with an early draft can be fixed with thorough revisions.

Justine Elyot is the author of many pieces of fiction including The Game and the short story 'The London O' in Orgasmic. More of Justine's work can be found by visiting: http://justineelyot.com/

Named and Shamed

(NB - A version of this review first appeared on ERWA in 2012)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Named-Shamed-Janine-Ashbless/dp/0957003781

Named and Shamed

By Janine Ashbless

Review by Ashley Lister

This is an awful lot of fun.

I grew up in an era when I was supposed to go to bed with a fairy story and enjoy the fantastical tales of other worlds and the creatures that lived therein. Named and Shamed helped me recapture those fond memories but from the perspective of an adult who also enjoys the erotic titillation of characters exploring their hedonistic natures.

Written by the incredibly talented Janine Ashbless, illustrated by the stylish and talented John LaChatte, Named and Shamed is pitched as a ‘Dark and Dirty Fairy Tale’ and this succinctly describes the content.

The basic premise is that our heroine, Tansy, has stolen a manuscript relating to her studies into the magical worlds of mythical creatures. Tansy is a wonderful real-world heroine and her story in this magical world is an absolute delight.

From the vivid description, through to the strong characterisation, through to the plot that makes you want to stay awake into the early hours of the morning – Named and Shamed is one of the most fun reading experiences you will have this year.

Meet Tansy, follow her adventures, and look out for future Janine Ashbless titles.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Named-Shamed-Janine-Ashbless/dp/0957003781

Janine Ashbless

 Five tips (in no particular order) on how to write erotica from Janine Ashbless:

1) Stop watching TV. Or cooking. Or spending hours on Facebook. Or something ... Your choice. You're going to need to give up something you enjoy to have extra time writing.

2) “Whenever you feel an impulse to perpetrate a piece of exceptionally fine writing, obey it – whole-heartedly – and delete it before sending your manuscripts to press. Murder your darlings.” - Arthur Quiller-Couch

3) You MUST learn to write in a manner that is comprehensible, fluid and grammatically correct. The rules of grammar and punctuation exist for a reason: learn to use them before you break them.

4) While your first book is out looking for a publisher, write the next one, and the next. Bottom drawer books will find a home eventually, but you need stock in hand.

5) Don't try and catch up with bandwagons - it's already too late. Write the book that only you can write.

Janine Ashbless is the author of many pieces of fiction including Named and Shamed. More of Janine's work can be found by visiting: www.janineashbless.blogspot.com.

Kinky Boots

 by K D Grace

Blurb:
After a sizzling encounter in DEMON HEELS, a quirky all-night shoe store, with the store’s hot owner, FINN MASTERS, JILL HART walks away in the most gorgeous boots ever. Her new boots come with an unexpected bonus, a sexy demon named ELEANOR, who’s looking for a good time. All she lacks is a body, and Jill’s will do nicely.
Jill quits her dead-end job and, not knowing what’s come over her stops by the nearest pub intent on doing tequila shots until she falls off the stool. Instead she does FINN MASTERS in the beer garden, unwittingly participating in her first ever threesome. The boots were the bait, the timing was right and Eleanor has new digs. It’s Finn job to prevent Eleanor’s misbehaving. His failure means he’ll have to ride shotgun and do damage control until Eleanor moves out at the next full moon.
With Eleanor in residence, Jill’s bolder, sexier, willing to take risks. But is she a whole new Jill, or is it just demon courage? And how will Finn feel about her when she’s just plain Jill again? Will the maddeningly magical ménage make Jill’s dreams come true, or will it break her heart?

*** 

There was a soft knock on the door and Meinrad entered the room with several hanks of what looked like ordinary rope. He nodded his greeting to Finn, then his gaze came to rest on Jill, and she felt her entire body blush at his inspection. ‘Turn around,’ he said.

She obeyed.

He made some sound low in his throat that could have passed as either approval or not. Then he placed a large hand on her shoulder and turned her back to face him. She noticed he wore the Kinky Boots uniform T-shirt stretched tight across his very broad chest. The shop name was punctuated by the hard pressure of nipples on muscular pecs. The black jeans he wore rode low on his hips. The wave of lust that rushed over her was staggering. How had she not noticed how sexy he was?

Then Finn moved to stand beside him, and she understood. Even though Meinrad was by far the larger man, Finn dominated the room. Finn dominated the space. Finn dominated every second of the last twenty-four hours of her life, as though he had shoved his way in and pushed everything else out. It did things to her, that thought, things that were way beyond lust, things that were a lot more frightening than being possessed by a demon.

He stood gazing down at her from some neutral distance that made her feel very much alone, as though the world and everyone in it had receded, leaving her to await her fate. Eleanor was keeping a low profile. Finn spoke without preamble. ‘Unless something’s hurting you, while Meinrad’s binding you, you’re not to speak. You’re only to move when he moves you. You’re to do exactly as he says. You’re to accept what he does to you in total passivity. Is that clear?’

‘Is he going to fuck me?’ She was embarrassed the minute she said it but it was too late to take it back.

‘If I want him to, yes,’ Finn said.

If Finn wanted him to. Dear God, what was she doing? Suddenly she felt unsteady on her feet. She didn’t know Meinrad. Not like she knew Finn. And yet the thought of the big man hammering her with his enormous cock while she was all trussed up was at least as exciting as it was uncomfortable. The thought that he would do so only at Finn’s bidding excited her even more.

‘There’ll be no safe word,’ Finn continued. ‘All you have to do is tell Meinrad to stop. Or if at any time he thinks you’re not fit to continue, he’ll stop, and that’ll be that. Are we clear?’

She nodded. ‘And what about you?’

‘Meinrad’s acting on my behalf.’ Finn held her in a cool gaze. ‘He’ll do as I say, and so will you, unless you choose at any point not to play.’ For a long moment he studied her, as though he might see something, perhaps some flaw, perhaps some weakness, she didn’t know what. He seemed too far away to tell. She held her breath. Waiting.

At last he blinked and stepped back, still holding her gaze. ‘I’ll ask you again, Jill. Are you sure this is what you want?’

She nodded, afraid to speak for fear her heart would jump out of her throat. Then she remembered to breathe again.

Finn said nothing. He took her hands in his and offered them to Meinrad, who took both her wrists in one huge palm and tied them across one another in a simple looped knot from which she could have easily escaped if she’d wanted. Then he led her to the bed and guided her onto it. There, he secured her hands to the headboard with several feet of slack, enough to allow him to work around her and at the same time allow Finn to observe from every angle. A quick glance over her shoulder revealed Finn had pulled a ladder back chair to the side of the bed and sat emotionlessly looking on. A quick glance was all she got before Meinrad settled her into a kneeling position facing the wall with her hands resting on the headboard.

In the beginning, it felt as though she were being decorated with rope; that’s the best way Jill could describe what Meinrad was doing to her. The rope was softer than she expected it to be and not unpleasant against her bare skin. The embarrassment she felt came, flashed hot, then passed

as Meinrad looped the rope and efficiently placed knots above her breasts and then below and then tightened and cinched his efforts until the harnessing effect squeezed and pinched and offered up each of her breasts in a tight little nest of rope, like ripe fruit topped by the cherry-hard rise of her nipples. She’d always had sensitive breasts and to have them so handled and bound made her whole chest burn with a need that was replicated in her pussy.

Meinrad worked in complete silence, his hands moving over her body as though she were nothing more than the canvas for what he was creating. His touch was exacting and his rhythm as he worked was hypnotic. Early on she realised that one of his hands was on her at all times. She remembered basic knot training from her childhood days in the Girl Guides. Right over left and under and through. Left over right and under and through. Rope threaded through competent fingers, rope slid over bare skin, coiling, twisting, binding, descending right over left and left over right, pressing a column of knots down the length of her spine before looping around her waist and embracing her belly. Again. And again. Yes, she was his canvas, and what he created took its shape against her flesh, but his art didn’t happen without exacting a price from him, and in her peripheral vision, as he reached around her to secure a knot over her navel, she caught a glimpse of the erection set tight in his black jeans, and she felt the hitch of his breathing not quite hidden in the rhythm of right over left, left over right. As he crossed the ropes around her body, she felt the heat of his breath whisper along her back next to the weaving and twisting and soft swishing of the rope along her spine.

With a tug of the rope every pore of her body responded to the tightening just as he nestled a knot against the pucker of her bottom and her gasp sounded like a rush of wind in the stretching silence. Meinrad gave a little pull and her clit hardened in empathy with the pressure between her buttocks. Then without warning, he slipped an arm around her and turned her over as he pulled two strands of rope up between her legs, up tight against her upper thighs like the elastic of knickers, or a tightly cinched climber’s harness. That done, with a deft movement of his fingers he secured a knot just over her clit, and this time she cried out in the strange mix of discomfort and arousal. The whole gape of her was pressed between the two strands of rope, knotted at fore and aft like a ship, narrow and thick-hulled.

There was barely time to get used to the strange rub and pressure between her legs, or the knot that felt like the tip of a thick finger attempting to breach her bottom, before Meinrad began to bind her thighs to her lower legs and ankles, making the position in which she knelt mandatory. With each knot, with each looping of the rope, he forced her bent legs further apart until she was wide open, yet at the same time held closed by the ropes between her legs. Bound and kneeling on the bed, she tried to breathe deeply, tried to fight back the panic of her own helplessness, something she had never experienced before. She was dangerously close to hyperventilating, and Eleanor seemed to be completely absent from the whole event.

‘Shall I continue?’ Meinrad asked.

Buy Kinky Boots Here:                                                   
Amazon UK                                                                      
Amazon US
Where to Find K D Grace:

K D Grace’s Website: http://kdgrace.co.uk

Grace Marshall’s Website: http://gracemarshallromance.co.uk/         

Julia Morizawa

 Five tips (in no particular order) on how to write erotica from Julia Morizawa:

1) Write from your heart. Even fiction should spark from a real place inside of you.

2) Follow your instincts. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

3) Be truthful to yourself. A lot of people might tell you things like, "This is the way a book should be written," or "Here's an example of a great book." Who cares? Don't feel obligated to write in a way that you think society or the literary community will appreciate. Just write with your own, personal, unique voice.

4) Don't worry about being pretty. Don't allow technical details like grammar, "correct" story structure, your publisher/editor, etc., get in your way. Your priority is to tell a story. You can go back and clean it up later.

5) Share it with other people. If you announce to at least one other person that is in your life regularly that you are writing a book, it will force you to remain diligent. After all, you'll want something to report when your best friend/husband/mother nags you with, "Whatever happened to that book you said you were writing?" Along the same lines, when you're ready, get lots of feedback from people you trust who aren't afraid to be honest. The purpose of feedback is not to give you a pat on the shoulder or an ego boost. It is to dissect your work and get various outside opinions so you can adapt and improve it.

Julia Morizawa is the author of many pieces of fiction including Memoirs of a Wannabe Sex Addict. More of Julia's work can be found by visiting: www.juliamorizawa.com.

Live at Eroticon

 by Ashley Lister

This is just a short note to remind regular readers of this blog that I'll be attending Eroticon over the weekend  (Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd). I shall also be joining up with a tribe of fun-loving delegates for some entertaining readings throughout Saturday evening and I'll be hosting a workshop on writing poetry on Sunday 3rd.

If you're visiting Eroticon, if you're a writer, blogger or a reader who'd like to say hello, please don't be shy about introducing yourself. I don't doubt it will be a fun weekend and I'm looking forward to meeting old friends, online friends and new friends.

Ash