Favorite Figure: Sinclair Sexsmith
The reason I chose Sinclair Sexsmith as one of my favorite figures is threefold:
First of all, it was through my avid devouring of Sinclair’s original erotica that really inspired me to question and push the boundaries of my own sexuality, and explore many things, including an asymmetric balance of power. The erotica that they write, as well as the collections that they edit, have inspired some intrigue in things that I had previously not considered.
Second, Sinclair Sexsmith has a deep knowledge of so many topics, and can eloquently and enthusiastically speak to a broad range of sexuality. First of all, Sinclair has a masculine-of-center identity, and lives a personal definition of butch identity. They are a top, and can speak to many BDSM practices, and is constantly exploring their boundaries with their partners, including an asymmetrical balance of power and impact play. In the Sugarbutch Chronicles, Sinclair’s blog, they boldly share deep thoughts about how difficult some explorations are. Opening up their relationship and sharing every raw difficulty and wonderful joy for anonymous readers to learn from is a wonderful skill that I appreciate very much.
And finally, meeting Sinclair (see below) and seeing them lecture and perform in person was pivotal in the development in my queer identity, and I began to have a deeper understanding of the identity and roles I wanted to possess, as well as what roles and identities I am attracted to.
(Check out this event happening tomorrow night. I’m a guest reader!)
For the release of SAY PLEASE: LESBIAN BDSM EROTICA, come join us in Chicago for dirty queer readings from contributors to the book and special guests!
This Say Please reading will also include an erotica writing workshop (8-9pm) and reading (9-10pm)!
ABOUT SAY PLEASE
In Say Please, Sinclair Sexsmith presents a cornucopia of queer kink—tantalizing tales rich in variety and saucy details of girls put in their place—and held there firmly. Whether readers dream of surrendering to a lover or of taking control, Say Please offers plenty of erotic inspiration and gives readers exactly what they want! Come hear authors from the book read their stories and celebrate the release of this kinky queer collection.
ABOUT SINCLAIR SEXSMITH
Sinclair Sexsmith runs the award-winning personal online writing project Sugarbutch Chronicles: The Gender, and Relationship Adventures of a Kinky Queer Butch Top at sugarbutch.net. With work published in various anthologies and websites, including Take Me There: Trans and Genderqueer Erotica, she is the guest editor of Best Lesbian Erotica 2012, and her first full-length erotica anthology, Say Please: Lesbian BDSM Erotica, which was published by Cleis Press in April 2012. Mr. Sexsmith writes, teaches, and performs focusing on the subjects of sex, gender, and relationships. More information on her at mrsexsmith.com.
The event will be Tuesday, July 24 2012, 9-10pm
at The Pleasure Chest
3436 North Lincoln Avenue
http://www.thepleasurechest.com/pleasure-chest-workshops-ch-1992-ctg.htm
ABOUT THE READERS
Christina is a Queer, Capital-S Submissive LeatherFemme with masochistic tendencies. She holds a Master’s Degree in English and Comparative Literature, and her writings often focus upon the complexity of the feminist Leatherwoman’s journey. Her free time is spent serving as the new International Ms Leather (IMsL) historian and archivist.
Vie La Guerre is a femme wordsmith who lives in Chicago with her kittens, Foxy Brown and Zora.
Lyzanne promotes sex-positive community health education and exploration of kinks and fetishes in her project SexPositiveBlog.com. She is also an LGBT youth advice columnist at AskGayWrites. She works with the Hot Queer Porn Fest committee in Chicago to ensure a place for trans* and queer porn, and although this queer femme is a newcomer to the world of writing queer erotica, she is a long-time reader and enthusiast.
Say Please Virtual Blog Tour
Sinclair Sexsmith recently released an incredible anthology of erotica. Say Please: Lesbian BDSM Erotica is ready to fulfill your deepest desires for discipline and surrender, domination and submission, and the heightened sensations of BDSM play. Order your copy from Amazon here, and keep up with the Say Please blog.
Reading this anthology is thrilling, and each story has different flavors to satisfy everyone. I loved the story “Spoiled” by Shawna Elizabeth for its focus on spoiling one’s girlfriend followed by punishment for unknown misdeeds. The story by Sinclair Sexsmith, “Not Without Permission”, is one of my favorites as well, for the sexy power-play told from the perspective of the top. I also loved “Baseball Cap” by Miriam Zoila Pérez, for the reward of hot BDSM sex with strap-on play.
I recently interviewed Miriam Zoila Pérez, the author of “Baseball Cap”, the opening story in Say Please. Miriam is also a prolific blogger about the reproductive justice movement as well as serving as an editor of Feministing.com for four years. Learn more about Miriam here.
Sex Positive: How did you get started writing erotica?
Miriam Zoila Pérez: This is actually the first piece of erotica I’ve ever written. I was inspired by real life experiences, and by Sinclair’s call for submissions.
SP: What about writing BDSM erotica appeals to you?
MZP: I like the potential of erotica to make visible the invisible, to give voice to those experiences and identities that get no airtime in mainstream discussions of sexuality. I remember when I was coming out, queer erotica was really important to me—it taught me what my sex life could look like, and opened up a whole new world.
SP: What has been the response from others about writing erotica?
MZP: Since I chose not to use a pen name, it’s been kind of an odd experience having this piece out there. I do a lot of other writing, but that is explicitly political and non-fictional, a really different ball game. I haven’t advertised this essay the way I have my others because it feels like a different genre and audience.
The blog tour continues through May 2. Check out these amazing blogs!
April 17 Lula Lisbon http://www.lulalisbon.com
April 18 Ali Oh http://www.madeofwords.com
April 19 Jameson http://www.ftmbutchdude.com
April 21 Charlie Ninja http://charlieninja.tumblr.com/
April 22 Say Please release party in Boston
April 22 Meredith Guy http://meridithguy.tumblr.com
April 23 Wendi Kali http://astrangerinthisplace.blogspot.com
April 24 Lolita Wolf http://leatheryenta.com
April 25 Audrey at Babeland http://babeland.com/blog
April 26 Seth B http://smokebellyscorner.wordpress.com
April 27 Danika http://www.lesbrary.com
April 28 DL King http://www.dlkingerotica.com
April 29 Kiki http://kikidelovely.wordpress.com
April 30 Dilo Keith http://dilokeith.wordpress.com/blog-2/
April 30 Xan West http://tgstonebutch.livejournal.com/
May 2 Say Please release party in Seattle
