Literotica Micro-Conferences?

[Kriegsmesser]

Is anyone interested in the idea of sharing some of their work (illustruations, poetry, story excerpts, etc.) at a small conference? I was thinking of small, intimate settings based on region where people read excerpts of their writing or present their visual art in person.

I know that many of us (myself included) cling to our anonymity, but this might be a good way to meet others with similar interests, discuss the craft of erotic writing, and obtain some good feedback.

Interested people can respond and if things work out maybe we can find some neutral public space to borrow or rent (sort of like toastmasters).

 

[lovecraft68]

Is anyone interested in the idea of sharing some of their work (illustruations, poetry, story excerpts, etc.) at a small conference? I was thinking of small, intimate settings based on region where people read excerpts of their writing or present their visual art in person.

I know that many of us (myself included) cling to our anonymity, but this might be a good way to meet others with similar interests, discuss the craft of erotic writing, and obtain some good feedback.

Interested people can respond and if things work out maybe we can find some neutral public space to borrow or rent (sort of like toastmasters).

Problem is not too many "litsters" seem to be in the same locale. Except for Texas which seems to breed them.

 

[sr71plt]

Lit. had a couple of big gatherings--generated from this forum--a few years back. I don't think they spent much time discussing their stories, though.

Some still posting here attended and will probably be along shortly to comment how well it worked and what needed to be done.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

It can be an organizational nightmare. Finding a hotel that wouldn't mind hosting a bunch of 'pervs', making reservations requires money, finding a date everyone can make . . . and that's before anyone arrives! Then there's the question of party crashers? Uninvited guests? The two I went to were fun but for the party who organized the party it was enough to make h__ tear h__ hair out. I've given it some thought but decided against it. Besides, the Left Coast is too far away for half the country and hotels out here are expensive. Some suggestions for St. Louis were made but who lives there to organize it?

 

[slyc_willie]

As Bear pointed out, any gathering of people from Lit can be a logistical nightmare. I attended all four of the Chicago Lit-togethers and one in Florida. The first Chicago meeting was pretty small, but not exactly tame. We had about sixteen people show up, I believe. This blossomed to as many as thirty or forty by the fourth one, and necessitated the need to book a party room for everyone to gather in.

The problem with these sorts of gatherings is that the majority of people show up just for the party and there's little help cleaning up afterward. With any kind of gathering, it should be understood that those in attendance should do their part to help with the "day after" chores. I admit that during the fourth Chicago Lit-together, my wife and I didn't do our part. We had made a mistake with our boarding times and ended up having to leave early.

Logistics aside, there are several other things to consider when it comes to any meeting of folks from Lit. One, a lot of people on this site enjoy and depend on their anonymity. We may share a lot of personal information, but most of it is in very general terms. In other words, we share our work here because there's no real face to attach it to. When you suggest a meetup, especially one in which our Lit work would be showcased, that brings those in attendance out of the closet. Not many people are willing to do that.

Two, considering the nature of this site, there are bound to be some assumptions made. One of the biggest misconceptions made about the Chicago Lit-togethers (especially after the first one) is that it was perceived to turn into some sort of free sex free-for-all or an orgy. Quite a few of the later participants of the Chicago meetups were Playgrounders, and there was a much greater expectation of naughty business coming from them.

Third, and this goes back to the anonymity enjoyed by most Litsters, there is always the danger of "outsiders" crashing the party. This happened -- to varying degrees -- at each of the Chicago Lit-togethers, resulting, in some cases, in some embarrassment and worry. It's all well and good if we reveal ourselves to one another in a more or less controlled environment, but when unknown persons are suddenly stepping through the door, because they saw or heard something that caught their attention, it makes some people nervous. A lot of those in attendance in Chicago were there without the knowledge of a spouse or other family members, and in any sort of situation like that, paranoia is bound to crop up.

Also, as both Bear and LC mentioned or alluded to, there's the question of when and where. True, at the moment, there seem to be a lot of us Texans posting on the AH. And I'll admit that it's crossed my mind to host a River City Lit-together (that's San Antonio for all you non-Texans ). But the work required to do so would be enormous. At the very least, getting everyone to pay up front for the party room would be a nightmare.

That's not to say that Literotica gatherings can't and won't happen. I'm sure there will be more in the future. There are just a lot of things to consider, and the most important among them is privacy. When it comes down to it, most of us are here as ghosts of our real selves.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Quite. It isn't so bad now that I'm retired but at the last two Chicago Lit-togethers I was still working as an elementary school teacher. You can bet whenever a camera showed up I tried bearfully to make sure my face was not visible. In at least one case I hid behind Slyc! In fact, I didn't even put my lit name on my name tag, just my avatar. If you knew who I was, fine. If you didn't, you didn't need to. Logistics are one hard part. Privacy is another huge one.

 

[slyc_willie]

Quite. It isn't so bad now that I'm retired but at the last two Chicago Lit-togethers I was still working as an elementary school teacher. You can bet whenever a camera showed up I tried bearfully to make sure my face was not visible. In at least one case I hid behind Slyc! In fact, I didn't even put my lit name on my name tag, just my avatar. If you knew who I was, fine. If you didn't, you didn't need to. Logistics are one hard part. Privacy is another huge one.

I think I have that picture, Bear.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I generally avoid get togethers for the simple reason that a few always manage to show their asses once they've stowed aboard a gourd or two of corn.

 

[slyc_willie]

I generally avoid get togethers for the simple reason that a few always manage to show their asses once they've stowed aboard a gourd or two of corn.

Some of us don't even need that. We have a reputation to uphold.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Some of us don't even need that. We have a reputation to uphold.

Boy! That's true.

 

[RedMonkeyButt]

Is anyone interested in the idea of sharing some of their work (illustruations, poetry, story excerpts, etc.) at a small conference? I was thinking of small, intimate settings based on region where people read excerpts of their writing or present their visual art in person.

I know that many of us (myself included) cling to our anonymity, but this might be a good way to meet others with similar interests, discuss the craft of erotic writing, and obtain some good feedback.

Interested people can respond and if things work out maybe we can find some neutral public space to borrow or rent (sort of like toastmasters).

I think this would be more kin to a local writers group geared toward erotica than an actual conference. Focused groups are easier to organize than larger conferences, IMO. The great thing about a writer's group? The "meetings" can be held online in a mass conference chat or something...

But wait, isn't that what the Story Feedback forum is for?

 

[slyc_willie]

I think this would be more kin to a local writers group geared toward erotica than an actual conference. Focused groups are easier to organize than larger conferences, IMO. The great thing about a writer's group? The "meetings" can be held online in a mass conference chat or something...

But wait, isn't that what the Story Feedback forum is for?

Probably, but I think the OP is indicating something a little more direct and immediate.

 

[TxRad]

We had two here in Texas at a private home. Both were a lot of fun. Maybe when I retire. The only thing is my house ain't big enough. Camping in the backyard anyone?

 

[oggbashan]

The UK Lit get-togethers were great but a considerable strain for the organisers. I appreciated the hard work they did. The gatherings didn't do much about writing, more about socialising and enjoying each others' company.

I don't think there are enough active UK members of the Authors' Hangout located close enough to each other to make one possible now. Any potential organiser has to have enough spare cash to subsidise the event until all the participants have paid, and to cover deposits etc.

A more feasible scenario is to join a local NaNoWriMo group that specialises in erotica. They exist in many towns, UK and US.

 

[Bramblethorn]

One of the biggest misconceptions made about the Chicago Lit-togethers (especially after the first one) is that it was perceived to turn into some sort of free sex free-for-all or an orgy.

To be fair, that's how it works in all the "Lit authors meet up IRL" stories posted on Literotica

I wonder if it'd be possible to have a Lit meet-up as part of another event, say Geeky Kink Event. Not saying I'd go (I'm shy and rarely in the USA) but it might work for others?

 

[slyc_willie]

To be fair, that's how it works in all the "Lit authors meet up IRL" stories posted on Literotica

I wonder if it'd be possible to have a Lit meet-up as part of another event, say Geeky Kink Event. Not saying I'd go (I'm shy and rarely in the USA) but it might work for others?

And I don't mind bragging just a little about being mentioned in a few of those stories.

Don't get me wrong; at all the Lit-togethers, there was definitely some swinging going on. But the majority of it was agreed upon ahead of time by various parties. At no time (although once, it came close) was there an open invitation of naughty business for all.

There was, however, an open invitation for nudity. That was fun.

The Geeky Kink idea looks kind of interesting, though.

 

[Tyro999]

As a wild hare, there is no reason Literotica writers/readers can't piggy back on a local/regional SF, Star Trek, etc. convention. Those are usually held in the summer to take advantage of vacations.

Decide in AH, keep the Literotica connection on close hold [i.e., use a hotel/venue separate from the convention] and the SFers/Trekkies will never know they've been taken advange of.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Interesting thought!

 

[jomar]

Well, my initial thought was, "Sure! Bend over and I'll read you a story."

 

[NaokoSmith]

To be fair, that's how it works in all the "Lit authors meet up IRL" stories posted on Literotica

I wonder if it'd be possible to have a Lit meet-up as part of another event, say Geeky Kink Event. Not saying I'd go (I'm shy and rarely in the USA) but it might work for others?

I got a lot of encouragement recently from the organisers of burlesque shows which I started going to. We talked about me doing a writing workshop, and I'm sure they'd be delighted to have some writers come to their event, enjoy the burlesque and have a space to share writing chat with each other. (I'm not quite so sure about the swinging parties, although I think that might be a possibility .) That would be a way not to have to organise the event yourself and be in a sympathetic environment.

The NaNoWrite thing sounds good too.