Review of Smut Manchester 2016

Smut in Manchester last Saturday was excellent as usual - many thanks to the Blisse's for organising the event. We had some good workshops and readings and it was fabulous to meet up with old friends and new people alike and help the lovely KD Grace launch her new book (check out her interview on 26 Oct). And many thanks to the fabulous Morgan King who drove us over the Pennines (and back) for the event!

However, the bulk of this post is going to be about BDSM as the venue for this event was in a BDSM club - many thanks to them for letting us hold our meeting there. On arrival it surprised us that it was just an industrial yard in a residential area - we debated whether the residents knew what went on in their area! 

Inside, we held the talks, readings, erotica tombola etc, in one room but later we got into the 'play room' where several members of staff (mostly male Doms but one female) were on hand to demonstrate the equipment. I'm not sure what they thought of the advance of research hungry BDSM authors firing questions at them (me, in particular!). But they took it all within their stride and I am grateful to them all.

My first observation was how ordinary they all were. People you would pass in the street without a second glance - no smart suits or even a leather jacket (I was the one in leather, they all wore jeans/trousers and tee shirts). In fact, one Dom (I hope he doesn't mind me retelling his story) told the tale that when Fifty Shades came out all the women in his office were saying how they would like to meet a Dom. And how he smiled to himself wryly (okay, so I am guessing that, but I'm an author, after all!) and thought, If only you knew. Clearly he keeps his private life private! 

Many thanks to all of them but also to Victoria Blisse who was their volunteer and described her sensations after each implement was used.

So, some of the hints and tips that I picked up are listed below. These are things that I hadn't appreciated fully or just didn't know: 

1. The skin is more sensitive after blood is brought to surface so start off something light, like flogging, first before going into something like canning or whipping. 

2. Paddles can be made of harder woods, e.g., oak, or softer, e.g., pine and will have harder or softer effects on the body (I just thought wood was wood!)

3. One of them used a kendo cane (looked like a very thick bamboo cane with a handle - the Dom handled it like a sword) but this can only be used on the butt and thighs. Victoria said it felt like a strike through and out the other side of her body, she then became aware of pain around the edges of where it struck a few moments later. She also said as the pain develops, her skin tightens up. 

4. There was a Dom stick - like a long paddle.

5. They also used something called 'a little bastard' which was like a very thick rubber paddle or slapper. It can sting for 20 minutes or more after use and will leave a mark every time. The pain bloomed throughout Victoria's thigh and thick bruises came up instantly.

6. Some instruments will cause pain which will develop or bloom over time. 

7. I was fascinated to watch one Dom using a single tailed whip and he grabbed the end as it flicked back so he could control the next flick. Victoria said it hurt like fire and the crack rang in her ears. The Dom explained that if he is playing with someone who isn't a regular or someone he knows he will bin the snapper after use for good healthcare. 

8. We were shown implements with leads which could be connected to a tens machine means so you could control the intensity e.g., higher or lower depending tool or a pulse or continuous. These are less effective on muscle than areas where nerves are closer to the skin. 

9. I liked the claw which was actually invented for making pulled pork (!) and is good for sensation on the body. I must remember to use claws on skin in my next werewolf story. 

10. When I asked why they were not using an implement on the butt but instead of bared areas of the shoulders, the answer was that they don't hit on covered areas with some implements, e.g., whip, because you can't see what is happening to the body. 

11. One comment from a person was that hitting after orgasm is more intense. How many times do we finish the 'scene' in our stories at the orgasm?! 

12. An interesting thing I hadn't appreciated before was that by bending the sub over (a bench or whatever) it tightens up the skin. 

13. Psychological play was also discussed and it needs more aftercare than physical play.

14. Anticipation is a big part of psychological play, e.g., use of a mirror so they can see what is coming or a blindfold so they can't. The feel of the Dom's breath on back of the neck is a good one. 

15. Lastly, there is such a thing as Dom Space and it is when they are totally concentrating on the sub cutting out all else. A Dom is often exhausted afterwards both mentally and physically. 

(Photo borrowed from Bella Settarra!)