Apologies for the lapse in posting. Yet again, things have gone manic. The Frankfurt Book Fair has just started, so I've had loads of publishers contacting me to write proposals for them, or sign book deals, so they can flog international rights at the fair (one book deal signed and various others are out there in the ether - I'll let you know more details once the deals are done). I've also been busy putting the finishing touches to a new project - a series of erotica anthologies for Audible. It's been ace fun commissioning loads of writers - been able to pick some of the best people I've worked with over the years - and I've also been voice-testing people to record the stories, which makes a change from sitting at my computer typing. But as a result of all of this, I haven't had a huge amount of spare time.
That said, I've still managed to fit in a few fun 'having a life' things. A girlie mate came to Brighton for the weekend and dragged me to the World Air Guitar championships, which, despite my concerns, was actually a top laugh. Watching people play rock god is always good for a giggle (and my mate and I were both very impressed by the rather foxy winner). I've been to see a couple of films, Rabbit Fever and the Devil Wears Prada. I felt all posh with the former 'cos it was a premiere and I was invited by Ann Summers who plied me with champagne and sex toys (the former on the premises, the latter in a goodie bag - it wasn't *that* kind of event). There was an aftershow party that was most memorable because both Germaine Greer and Ben Dover attended - not two people I ever thought I'd see in the same room (didn't talk to any celebs though, mainly 'cos I figured it would be tacky to approach them - and I needed to get back to Brighton so I only stayed for one drink). The latter film annoyed me - even though it was good girlie fun - because it seemed to suggest that women could either have a high-powered job or a partner, but not both. So much for feminism...
Tonight, I'm off to the Burlesque Ball, which is ace ace I have an excuse to tart up. I'm going for a Scarlet O' Hara style balldress that I bought for £30 in a charity shop years ago because I'd always wanted a Scarlet style frock - and have subsequently never had a chance to wear it. Apart from once when I was hoovering the flat and, I'm pretty sure, either had PMT or was pissed, because it seemed like a perfectly good idea at the time. So I'm about to head into a bath and do all the girlie primping and preening things, as recommended in Jackie magazine as a kid (strangest tip I ever read there: if you have sweaty hands, spray them with antiperspirant before you go out. Not something I've ever done, I hasten to add but it still amuses me to think that people may have done this)
But before I get pampering, there now follows a chunk of copy that will probably be dull as hell for anyone who doesn't listen to my Audible show. However, as I say on every show that you can get links to everything I review on this site, it seems only fair to actually do as I say (plus it's an easy way for PRs to see what I've reviewed, should they stumble across the site - for some reason, I've been offered a load of products that I've reviewed over the last few years recently. Although that could be 'cos therea re only so many sex toys in the world and once you've reviewed 300 it gets harder to find new ones.) I've posted blurb up on the early shows in previous posts, but here's what's been happening in the latest shows.
Show 4
My guest was Mistress Absolute, a fab dominatrix (who I've previously met on courses I went on to learn about spanking and bondage. As you do). The toys I reviewed were the Rock Chick (good), the Vibrapen (discreet) and Mates intensify stimulating gel and condoms (fun). The films were Artemesia (classy) and the Ancient Secrets of the Kama Sutra (comedic genius for all the wrong reasons) and the websites were Sex Kitten (glam) and Jackin' World (informative).
Show Five
My guest was Lovers' Guide founder, Robert Page, who was a sweetheart - though I've known him for years so if he'd have been a meani, I'd have cried. The toys I reviewed were the Cupid's Couch (easily stored kink), Elyssia cock ring (beautiful but solid metal, and I never trust metal cock rings after hearing a horror story involving one getting stuck. And cutting devices being required to remove it. And the metal heating up. And firemen getting involved.), The Cone (sadly overhyped - or at least, it did nothing for me) and the Clit Flipper (one of the best toys ever). Video-wise, I reviewed Lea Walker's Sex Life (now packaged as part of Casting Cuties (depressing) and 24 Hours in London (brilliantly sexy and sophisticated). For literary lust, I looked at Erotic Short Stories by Tinca Turle, Melt Away: Sugar Series two (both solid dirty anthologies) and Susie Bright’s Best American Erotica 2006 Anthology (Susie's a star, so it's ace), and online I went for The Erotic Bookshop (useful if you want dirty books, even if they don't stock any of mine) and Naughty Bids (where you can place bids on used knickers, toy and other dirty things. The concept of which makes me squeamish).
Show six
My guest was Tracey Farrow, from the Erotica show (another sweetheart - and she used to work for a major kids' toy brand so it's a slight change of direction!). Toy-wise, I tested the Vibraexciter (a great idea - it connects to your mobile phone), Purring Kitty software (which turns your phone itself into a vibrator) and the I like it Doggie belt (which resulted in embarrasment when a bloke turned up to fix my boilerand saw it in the middle of my living room floor, where I'd just unpacked it. It didn't turn porn movie though, thank god), and for porn, I watched Street Heat Three (sexy) and Dr Screw (hilarious - one film every porn or Dr Who fan should watch. Which is a bizarre demographic).For books, I covered the latest Leatherback anthology, Erotic Short Stories: The Paris Series 1-5 (quality erotica) and the first two books in Ann Rice's Sleeping Beauty trilogy (sub/dom classics), and webwise, I reviewed the fabulous Monmouth and equally ace Violet Blue
Show Seven
My latest show, which comes out soon, saw me having a great time interviewing the stunning Tits of Death - women who I'm pretty sure are even ruder than me. For toys, I tried the Micro-tingler Torpedo (versatile), the Tongue Joy (tricky to get on but interesting) and Eros Fun Foam (ace). For books, I reviewed the final Sleeping Beauty book of the trilogy, along with the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy audio book.
It's now coming round to review time of the month again for Scarlet so I've got a huge pile of books and sex toys to work my way through. I'm also dead chuffed to have landed a regular commission reviewing pants for Knickersblog - getting free undies always being a good thing - so I've got pants to test (for comfort, style, sexiness etc). I'm also reviewing a load of aphrodisiacs for Forum magazine. Still, at least if the aphrodisiacs work, I've got a tonne of toys to sate the urge - and sexy undies to wear if I go out on the pull.
Yes, I think it's possible I do have the best job in the world.
Posted by emilyd at September 30, 2006 02:54 PM