BDSM Writers Con is the definitive conference for readers and writers of Dominance and submission. The conference takes place August 20 - 23 in New York City, New York.
BDSM Writers Con offers workshops for writers and readers of Dominance and submission on various aspects of the BDSM lifestyle from beginners to advanced, hosting Book Contests for both fiction and non-fiction authors of BDSM.
The BDSM Book Contest offers winners a book contract from a participating publisher, and the BDSM Writers Con Gold Flogger Award is for the Best BDSM Book of the Year. Finalists in both contests have the opportunity to submit a story for BDSM Writers Con's Second Annual BDSM Writers Con Anthology.
Early-bird registration is $250. One can also sign-up for our easy monthly payment plan. Authors can register for our special Featured Author Status and receive promotional opportunities.
The National Leather Association: International, a leading organization for activists in the pansexual SM/Leather community, announced the winners for excellence in literary works in SM/Leather/Fetish writing published in 2013 at its Annual General Meeting in Dallas, TX September 26-28 and held during Beyond Vanilla. The judges received a greater number of nominations this year than ever before and judging in most categories was quite difficult with such exemplary pieces of writing.
With so many wonderful works coming in decisions were very difficult for the judges so there was a tie in the Non-Fiction Book category. Winners of the Geoff Mains Non-Fiction Book Award are John Huxley for “The Artisan's Book of Fetishcraft: Patterns and Instructions for Creating Professional Fetishwear, Restraints and Sensory Equipment” (Greenery Press) and F.R.R. Mallory for “The Kinky Feminist” (self-published). Honorable mention in this category goes to Thom Magister for “Biker Bar: Bikes, Beer, and Boys - A Playful Look at the Roots of the Leather Bar” (Perfectbound Press).
The Tom of Finland Art Fair returns to TOM House the weekend of October 3-5, the iconic property where it has been held in earlier years in Los Angeles, CA. The Art Fair’s tagline, Art in Residence, reflects its staging at a residence of much significance to art lovers.
Situated on a quiet street in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Echo Park, TOM House is the site where the artist Tom of Finland lived and worked for the last decade of his life, producing the erotic drawings for which he was internationally renowned. Preserved in homage to Tom, the house is visited by fans from around the world. The house also remains a home for the operations of the Tom of Finland Foundation, whose archives comprise the world’s largest repository of erotic art.
The art fair will showcase more than 30 artists, both emerging and established, from the USA and beyond. Workshops and panel discussions will be held, and artwork – spanning sculpture, photography, paintings, sketches, digital renderings and more – will be for sale. Visitors will also have the opportunity to tour TOM House, including the attic space that served as Tom of Finland’s bedroom and studio.
The NCSF (National Coalition for Sexual Freedom) is inviting Leather / BDSM / Kinkfolk to take its Mental Health Survey. They would like to know more about your BDSM practices, mental health and relational violence experiences.
The NCSF is working with researchers at Sam Houston University's Department of Psychology and Philosophy who will compare our responses to two other sample populations - one college-aged and the other LGBT-identified.
The NCSF will use these results to help with its advocacy, benefiting both existing and developing programs. Specifically, the study's results will assist in educating law enforcement, legal and psychological professionals about the practices and mental health of BDSM practitioners.
The survey will take approximately 35 minutes of one's time.
This survey is anonymous. Neither the NCSF nor outside researchers have access to any identifying information about participants.
A special weekend of films that celebrate and explore a wide diversity of sexuality will screen October 4-5 at the Leather Archives and Museum, 6418 North Greenview Avenue, as CineKink, "the kinky film festival," hits Chicago for a red-hot rendezvous.
On Saturday, October 4 at 7 PM, Best Of CineKink 2014 will be a collection of sexy shorts deemed the best during CineKink's most recent festival run. With works ranging from documentary to drama, comedy to experimental, mildly spicy to quite explicit, this year's edition includes 'Un Bisous Americain' (J.M. Darling), 'Human Warmth' (Christophe Predari),'Tom's Gift' (Todd Verow and Charles Lum), 'Music Box' (Anna Brownfield), 'Another Happy Anniversary' (Miranda Bailey).'Trains' (Paul Deeb), 'Dear Jiz' (Ms Naughty) and 'de-railed' (Quinn Cassidy and Creamy Coconut).
Next up on Saturday, at 9 PM, it's the Chicago premiere of Broken Side Of Time, winner of the Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative Feature at CineKink 2014. Combining photo shoots using actual photographers, and a narrative based on some of their real-life adventures, this is a a unique glimpse at a rarely-seen world, and the tale of one fetish model, Dolce, who's looking for a better life on the other side of the camera.
1. For those who don’t already know, please tell us about yourself & your connection with the leather world.
Master Michael is a 47 year leatherman. Slave angie is a (mumble,mumble) year old leatherwoman. They’ve been together for almost 11 years in a Master/slave relationship. Both are active in the leather/kink community of Chicago and the M/s community around the world. Michael is a co-founder of the Chicago Leathermen’s Group, a discussion group for leather and leather-curious men. He’s a community member of the Chicago Hellfire Club’s McAdory Committee. Michael is a co-director of MAsT: Greater Chicago (Master And slave Together). Slave angie is a member of MAsT: Greater Chicago. She is a former Board Director for the LRA Chicago, a pansexual dungeon social club. Angie volunteers as a bootblack at many local events.
Our connection is through our involvement with our leather club - Chicago Leather Club, our involvement in the leather and Master/slave community both locally and across the world as presenters, learners and listeners. Together, we are honored to hold the titles of International Master/slave 2014, Great Lakes Master/slave 2013 and Illinois Master/slave 2013.
1. For those who don’t already know, please tell us about yourself and what your titles are.
Hi Jaco! Thank you for interviewing me as part of this very interesting project. I am not your average bear… I’m a sometimes warm and cuddly- and-a sometimes passionate and ferocious leatherdyke bear! I identify as a leather woman on a path of Mastery. Initially working with a Mentor to master myself, I am presently continuing to work on myself as I guide the development of four terrific leatherwomen that are part of my leather family called the House of the Dove. I hold two leather titles, Mid-Atlantic Leatherwoman 2012 and Ms Woods Leather 2011, as well as being honored to be 2012 American Leatherwoman first runner-up, and part of Mama's family as "Mama's Story Seeker."
The Leather Journal was founded in May, 1987. The Leather community was hungry for news magazine that covered clubs, organizations and events. TLJ has successfully met that need for 34 years. We have adapted to change more than once and when the Internet came about we were there by adding www.TheLeatherJournal.com
