Erotica in the Headlines: Huffington Post Brings us a Look at The Lost Erotica of Spain

An article in this week’s Huffington Post takes us away to the Spain of the 1920’s, previously characterized as a time of melancholy after the fall of the country’s imperialism.

Erotic postcard series,€ A Virtual Wunderkammer: Early Twentieth Century Erotica in Spain,
published by The Huffington Post on Thursday January 21, 2016, Web
accessed Sunday, January 24, 2016, originally from http://sicalipsis.humnet.ucla.edu/items/show/125.

From the looks of it, though, the years between 1898 and 1939—especially the roaring 20’s—weren’t quite as melancholy as previously believed. UCLA Professor Maite Zubiaurre stumbled upon a collection of erotic works, written and pictoral, showing a far more robust and exciting side of sexuality, feminism, and early LGBT awareness in the country, shedding light on a history not only fascinating, but really, really lovely.

The article goes on to describe the societal importance of the pieces Zubiaurre has discovered, but also includes photos from the collection which are absolutely gorgeous. Revelations not just of a more open and celebratory sexuality, but of men as well as women, depictions of homosexual lovers, transgender individuals, and—one of my personal favorites—satirical depictions of the clergy in flagrante delicto.

The collection looks simply amazing. Take a look at the images in the Post article and let me know what you think. Which images speak to you most? What do you think this means for historians of the period and the culture today?

Talking Shop: Discovering Myself through Erotica

There are a lot of reasons I enjoy writing romance and erotica, not the least of which is sheer enjoyment. I recently realized these genres are the only ones where I find myself capable of writing something actually literary, something more than simple fiction. That’s not to say fiction and genre storytelling aren’t wonderful ways to express one’s writing passions; I prefer a good escapist fantasy over heavy literary tome any day. But I find it fascinating how deeply erotica can reflect subtle truths about the human condition and the people we truly are.

 

One thing erotica has allowed me to do is to fully realize my own sexuality. As a child I understood the hetero-normative view of the world. When I wanted to kiss my female best friends, I knew full well I’d be going against the status quo. I knew never to tell a female friend I loved her without qualifying it as platonic. I understood that I was STRAIGHT, 100%, because I had a boyfriend.

 

Tour Day: Torie James and Jammie Lynn drop by with Ties that Bind

Today we welcome Tour Author Torie James, a wonderful colleague and friend. Torie and I have shared a publisher, and editor, and even a table at a local pop art convention. I've read and loved her New Camelot series as well as the first in this new series, The Cloie Chronicles, and I'm exceptionally excited to have her on today's Tour Day!

Torie James

I've loved reading since I was old enough to hold a book in my lap. While my friends were out playing, I was generally curled up nearby falling down rabbit holes, catching second stars to the right, and stepping through wardrobes into mysterious lands and countless adventures. When those stories ended, I made up my own and kept going.

This later on translated into a strong passion for writing that has helped me keep my feet on the ground and my head in the clouds.

Lover of Dr. Pepper, all things chocolate, and Duran Duran, my dreams finally became a reality with the publication of Timeless Night, with the amazing people at Breathless Press.  Timeless Night begat Timeless Desire. I'm currently working on the third book in the series, Timeless Surrender. I've also written several short erotica tales called Fractured Fantasies on top of beginning the sequel to Ties That Bind: The Cloie Chronicles with my writing partner, Jammie Lynn.

Tour Day: Patricia Logan Shares an INTENSE Scene from her New Release!

Today we welcome Tour Author Patricia Logan, who shares with us a thrilling scene from her release, Say My Name.

International bestselling author Patricia Logan resides in Los Angeles, California. The author of several #1 bestselling erotic romances in English, Italian, French, and Spanish lives in a small house with a large family. When she’s not writing her next thriller romance, she’s watching her grandchildren grow up way too soon, and raising kids who make her proud every day. One of her favourite tasks is coaxing nose kisses from cats who insist on flopping on her keyboard while she types. Married to a wonderful gentleman for 30 years, she counts herself lucky to be surrounded by people who love her and give her stories to tell every day.

Become a fan of Patricia at http://authorpatricialogan.com/ and receive a free book of your choice. Email her at patricialogan.author@yahoo.com. She loves to hear from readers more than anything and will respond to all emails.

Talking Shop: Writing Erotic Content

Erotic content must be exactly that: erotic. But good erotica is more than just a graphic sex scene; oh, my, it is so much more.

 

Where do you feel erotica?

Take a moment to consider the way your body feels in different states of arousal. Imagine the sensations going through your physical form. Everywhere in your physical form. For me, I can feel arousal in the back of my neck and shoulders, welling up in my chest, and shooting down my legs. It isn't just about your sex organs. Keep this in mind, because it's going to be important later.

In The Headlines: New York Public Library's Erotica Collection

The New York Times published a story last week on the "triple-star" (i.e., "erotica") collection of the NY Public Library, which is being opened up to wider public consumption for the first time. 

According to the Times, the Library's collection contains a wide spectrum of erotic literature as well as other material classified as "Supervision Required" or considered morally objectionable. These included illustration, advertisement, pulp books, even playing cards featuring pornographic images.  One curator describes the Library's interests in arranging the collection as a need "to understand and document what the city of New York was like. That meant collecting the good and the bad".

The Times' story paints a fascinating picture of the material contained within the NY Public Library's collection. Certainly many of the works signify a social and historical culture modern-day erotic writers and readers would love to peruse. Much like the Las Vegas Erotic Heritage Museum, this collection highlights the art and literature of American sexuality still often repressed and denied by the mainstream. Even the language of this article demonstrates the still-negative reflection on erotic material: "the good and the bad" insinuating the collection falls into the latter. Elsewhere it is noted that a similar Paris collection classified its materials as "contrary to good morals". Throughout the Times' story, language used by the library curators seems to indicate an illicit and subversive responsibility.

Regardless, the existence and increased access to such a collection provides us with a much-needed look at our nation's sexual evolution and identity. What say you? How do such exhibits reflect on us as a culture? Should we continue to keep them under restriction in "triple-star" archives? Leave your thoughts in the comments.