Smut Lovers Con 2023
This year was my first reader and writer conference I was able to attend in over five years. And let me tell you flying cross country to attend Smut Lovers Con 2023 was the best decision I made. While I was nervous to travel so far for a conference that this was it’s first time being put on, let me tell you…it was hands down one of the best experience I had at a read and writer conference.
Nikki Rome who founded the conference put an amazing team together to put on a kink education and writing conference. With one workshop pathway it made it so that it was easy to attend all the classes and round tables that you wanted to attend. And also make sure that you are taking breaks to actually get food and hydration in you.
The fact that I was able to bring my future husband with me to experience the event with me was beyond our expectation. He was able to play with one of the fidget toys that they supplied (along with ear plugs for people who might need them) as he sat paying attention to the discussion. For someone who doesn’t sit for his job the fidget toys helped him get through the back to back classes.
Teaming with the local Orlando, FL dungeon, The Woodshed, who also put on several classes along with being a vendor was the icing on the cake. I’ve been to a good amound of BDSM 101 classes and theirs was hands down one of the best I’ve been to. Not only informative but it also helped reconfirm that it doesn’t always have to be serious and that it’s a build your own adventure. No two peoples kinks are the same and how you go about it are different. It can be fun, structured, serious or compeltly rediculous.
I’m not sure if it was because of the subject of the con but it was the first con that I felt that overall people were more welcoming, no clicks, and respectful of space. In the past I’d seen interactions of male models with readers be borderline inappropriate that it made me uncomfortable. I’ve had experiences when I had colorful hair of people coming up behind me to touch my hair. Here I saw none of that. And it was overwhelming full of love and support with no judgement felt. (Ok there was a few overheard conversations in a class I wanted to scold people for talking during the class while complaining about stupid things. Not sure who they were but it was a very superficial conversation that made me sad, but we wouldn’t let one ruin the day.)
While I was supposed to meet up with an author friend at the conference, she had to pull out last minute for health issues, she was able to connect us to a friend. And well, let me tell you something. Opening yourself up to talking to pretty much anyone around you or someone new, you never know what will come out of it. Because of that I was able to make a new writing family that also adopted my fiancé apart of the family. Because of that I have a positive support group that won’t let me make excuses to meet my goals.
Let’s’ just say that I 100% will suggest to any spicy romance loving reader or writer to attend the upcoming Smut Lovers Con. I know I will be there with my fiancé…two weeks before our weeding.
Are we crazy? Yes, we are. And fingers crossed I’ll have my first done to bring along with me for the signing.
