It really is difficult to work out where to start summing up all the amazing smuttiness that was Smut Manchester 2015 sponsored by Amazingo.co.uk unlike events I attend, Smut events are very much work for me. Enjoyable work, but work all the same. I walk around clutching my schedule like a comfort blanket whilst muttering about chairs or pens or something else I’m looking for and tend to automatically assume someone needs something other than just conversation when I’m stopped.

Case in point, I was sat, relaxing making my Kink craft Mini flogger. My FREE mini flogger I might add. Kay Jaybee was presenting her Everyday Kink Workshop, I was confident she had everything in hand and it really was lovely to sit and not do anything for a bit. It was very therapeutic. I’d got to the last bit, tying the ends of the strings (is that the right term?) to make it pretty and thumpy and I heard applause. My head whipped round and my ears pricked up, I thought Kay’s session might have ended. It hadn’t, people were reading out their work but each time there was clapping I was ready to leap up and do my compere bit. I did get my flogger finished though and it’s sooooo pretty.  I picked the smut colours of purple and black, so watch out, naughty authors, you might get punished with the smut flogger next time your reading goes over time!

We had experienced several hiccups in the run up to Smut Manchester. It had been a pretty stressful ride even the day before things were going wrong, our printer conked out just as we wanted to print out 50 schedules to put in the goodie bags. But every problem had a solution and I got to the event, in some ways, eager to be getting it over with.

My mind is always racing through a to do list a mile long when  I walk in at the beginning of any of our events. We were blessed with some eager helpers this time. Firstly, my Sister Sarah who helped bring all the smut to the venue and take it home again and stepped into the breach to babysit, well, teen sit the daughter at short notice. Then we had invaluable help from Steph, Cheryl, Emma, Kay, KD and Paul. All stepping in and getting the huge venue ready to rock.

Bangkok Bar is pretty much home from home for me, we’re there so often. It really worked well for smut. It had a friendlier more welcoming feel than the corporate MCC we used last year and Michelle, God Bless her, kept the drinks (from tea and coffee to alcoholic beverages) flowing through the day. The space was split into three sections.

RWN set up their dungeon, used every second Saturday of the Month for Club Lash, in the end room, in the middle the Erotic Marketplace consisted of Kink craft with their awesome DIY flogger station and gorgeous kinky goodies to buy. Karen Stockton‘s stall was full of her books and sparkling handcrafted jewelry. Dark Rose Desires brought their kinky, sexy goods and their good cheer (Sharon looked awesome with her handmade furry cat ears!),we’re so glad we met them at the Alternative and Burlesque fairs. Another A&B fair regular is Nippleicious. Their stall full of unique nipple jewelry sparkled. I always love their different designs, sexy and cute.

The Smut bookstall was ably manned by the gorgeous and talented duo of Lucy Felthouse and Ian THE smut Peddler. They took their job seriously as you can tell by the photos!

Kev Blisse, the King to my Queen of smut ran the Erotic Tombola. Full of sexy goodies from Cara Sutra, Uber Kinky, Nice and Naughty, Temptations Direct, Sexhibition, Nippleicious, Dark Rose Desires and cute totoros handmade by Craft on Caffeine. There was lots to win, weird and wonderful, sexy and sweet.

In front of the bar we set up lots and lots of chairs and couches ready for our workshops, reading slams and burlesque performance.  As 11am and doors opening crept round I felt pretty in control and ready to go.  Some smut regulars  snuck in a little early like Cara Sutra (also known as Spanky!) who came bearing gifts for goodie bags and by 11.25 as I set off with my intro most smutty peeps were in place.

I found that my nerves had all been used up in the run up to the event. In a weird way, standing on the little stage and smiling at the gathered folks I felt at peace. Smut Manchester was a go.

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As Liv said as part of her workshop (co hosted by Ashley Lister) after I finished my starting waffle,  not a one of the people in the audience wanted me to fail, they buoyed me up with their smiles and positive responses. It was only the start of the day but it was the end of months of preparation by team Blisse.

Ashley and Liv‘s workshop was full of fun and laughter with hints and tips for reading your erotica out loud and in front of an audience. I stood by the welcome desk in case of late comers and took the time to breath and relax. While everyone else had lunch I went round and checked everyone was happy, settled and had all they needed. I set up chairs for the reading slam.

Oh, I also joined in an awesome photo with the Brit babes and our street team members who were in attendance. It was lovely and giggly.

 

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Photo from KD Grace

There were 3 reading slams through the day. Our fab readers were Bella Settarra, Kay Jaybee, Scarlett Flame, Zak Jane Keir, Janine Ashbless,Victoria Blisse, Liv Honeywell, Ashley R. ListerK. D. GraceHelen J. Perry, Anna Sky, Lucy Felthouse, Slave Nano and brave newbie Deana Caroll who stepped in at the last minute to fill in.  I love having the chance to listen to snippets of awesomely varied erotica from erotica newbies to erotica not so newbies with themes from golden showers  to corrupt politicians, orgasms in a box to bondage and spanking on a priceless four poster bed. I never know what’s going to be read and I’m always delighted by what excerpts are picked.

Some authors were naughty and went over their time. As Matt S, who was planning to be our Spank Master for the event ended up getting through to the Alternative Model of The Year finals on the same day Cara Sutra stood in  and provided paddling chastisement for the first 2 slams. I really need to time my excerpts better because she doesn’t hold back when I’m trying to get to the end of my paragraph! I stood in for the last slam and ended up chasing Anna Sky  around the chairs Benny Hill style as she attempted to keep her sore buttocks from meeting more punishment!

We packed in so much to the day. Kay’s Everyday Kink with a trip to the supermarket and Zak Jane Keir’s talk on world building were also part of our day. There was a sexy burlesque performance from Blue Belle too.  Time flew past.

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Another joy of the day was having official smut photographer Dimitri  around. He took all the photos I never have time to take *and* even better they’re all good photos, huzzah! The photos in the blog are from Dimitri of DN Photography Manchester, apart from those marked otherwise .

I’ve been to Club Lash several times now and I’ve never been brave enough to get up close and personal with the equipment. Having the RWN dungeon at Smut Manchester gave me the chance to look, touch and experience several pieces. There will be a new lease of life to my books now because of it.

It was fun, even if my bum is still a bit sore and I love the photos. The things I do to entertain you lovely lot, eh? I’m good to my readers, I really am!

At 6pm Jay led willing smutters up the road to Chapter One books for a special Dr Sketchy‘s taster session. I stayed behind to get things packed up but did make it over for the last two acts and managed to even show off my oral skills. I’m much better with my mouth than my hand you know. Drawing, people, I’m talking about drawing.

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Kitty‘s belly dancing was hypnotic and Bea‘s crazy clown bed of nails act was a scream. I loved it.

It was a brilliant way to end a smutty day. Chapter One Books is a beautiful location and will be hosting Smut Nights in the new year. Keep your eyes peeled for more info.

And then, it was over. There is a kind of relief that comes with knowing it’s done but I was sad too because it had been such a good day. I saw so many people smiling, heard so much laughter and mirth. I saw people making connections and new friendships. I had so many folks tell me how much they loved it. Watching the posts on social media of people giddly comparing floggers, ooohing and ahhhing over Bea and Kitty’s talents, showing off their fun in the dungeon, reading the amazingly positive blogs and seeing all the photos afterwards has been a sheer delight. It’s the pay off for all our hard work.

I love how smut brings people together. We’re a Community Inspiring Creativity (Thanks KD for that succinct summation) and I’m so very, very proud of that. Thank you all for being a part of something so special.

And now it’s on to planning the next event. Smut by the Sea 2016 here we come!