It's that time of year again. When the days are at their shortest and the end of the year approaches, I like to share a list of the people who have had positive impact on my life in the previous 12 months and, in my opinion, deserve an award for their greatness. These are some... Continue Reading →
Review: Icon
I was offered a review copy of a book published by The Feminist Press entitled Icon, edited by Amy Scholder and, to my great shame, it has taken me far too long to get around to writing about it. Described to me as "a collection of writings by prominent feminist writers, thinkers and performers, revealing... Continue Reading →
Exploring Creativity: The playwrite
When someone says they are a writer, most people might instantly assume that this person writes novels. Think for a bit longer, however, and you'd realise that there are an awful lot of other things that they could be a writer of! I know people who write for newspapers and magazines, people who've had academic... Continue Reading →
How to be a trans ally
If you've been anywhere near the internet this week, you'll have noticed that journalist Suzanne Moore flounced off Twitter after making an ass of herself by not apologising for something. We all say the wrong thing from time to time - accidentally selecting offensive words instead of inoffensive ones - but I like to think... Continue Reading →
Madonna, the biscuit tin and Moranthology
Do you like Caitlin Moran, but didn't really fancy all that How To Be a Woman stuff? If so, then Moranthology is for you! Described as "proof that Caitlin can actually be 'quite chatty' about many other things" by the rather exciting book blurb, this new title promises to be a hoot for teh menz... Continue Reading →
Eroticon 2012
On Saturday 3rd March, an interesting collection of erotica writers and sex bloggers gathered in Bristol for Eroticon 2012, the first UK conference dedicated to "writing sex right". I had been invited by the organiser, Ruby Kiddell, to sit on a couple of panels and so arrived bright and early on Saturday morning to collect... Continue Reading →
Writing Sex Right
One of the many things I enjoy in life is talking about sex. Whether the subject is how to do it, what turns you on, who you do it with, or who you tell, talking about sex with the right crowd of people can be fascinating. Writing about sex is fantastic too. Blogging about sexual... Continue Reading →
Queering the Fantastic
Last summer I helped found an international gay book prize in my lunch hour. My Mum had a right go at me for it. The Green Carnation Prize for modern writing by gay men had a fantastic shortlist, if I do say so myself. Three debut novelists and two established writers - ranging from 1950s... Continue Reading →
Guest Blogger Week version 2.0
Earlier this week I realised just how many talented and opinionated friends I have, and so decided to see if a few of them would like to write something for my blog on a subject that's close to them. The guest bloggers I called upon last October came up with a varied selection of well... Continue Reading →
Sex writing and the media
Yesterday I picked up a copy of the London Evening Standard and my attention was immediately drawn to the pretty girl staring at me from the masthead. "Introducing Millicent Binks" it said, "our new sex columnist". Ah, sex... one of my favourite topics of discussion! Whether it was an educational advice column or a titillating... Continue Reading →