I’m going to OpenCon for my very first time! I’ll be there with other happy Poly folks. I’ll also bring a stack of poly-inspired smut to read at opportune moments. I’m really looking forward to it, as I heard some rave reviews of the event last year.
OpenCon happens on 14-16 October 2011 in Dorset, U.K
Polyday was brilliant! The day started off with me feeling quite emotional as I left home to travel to Holborn. I thought of all the times I’d been told that it was impossible to love more than one person, and that I must be some kind of a deviant for doing so. I got quite tearful thinking of how fortunate I was to be able to live in the present as a polyamorous, bisexual woman; to have understanding partners (most of the time), and to have events like Polyday close to home.
I arrived at Polyday while the sun was still shining. I walked into the main hall where I instantly saw several friends I knew from bisexual, kinky and genderqueer spaces I’ve been to. Everyone seemed to be in a really good mood, and that just added to the chilled-out atmosphere.
I visited Jemima Wilcox’s stall where she was selling copies of her Poly project book. She had the cunning plan of giving away free sweeties and a bag with every copy, which seemed to be working very well for her.
The first session I attended was ‘Getting Polytical’ I had been impressed by the sheer enthusiasm of the Polytical folks since meeting them two years ago. Polytical are working on a series of educational leaflets and packs. Some of the subject they hope to cover are: Sex education, advice for Human Resource workers, social workers, and sexual health workers. Polytical also hope to produce some documentaries on poly. During the session I was also struck by how it was possible for me to be in an activist space, and not get annoyed or angry by clueless people. I felt positive and understood, which was refreshing!
I attended ‘Poly 201’ next which was full of useful knowledge from more experienced poly people. There next followed a short break where I went out to a local sandwich shop with two friends of mine. One of my friends managed to stop a thief in the shop, which was an unexpected thing to happen on an already exciting day!
After the break I went to the ‘Poly T-shirts’ workshop. Somehow my dormant sewing skills resurfaced for the hour, and I was able to create a little applique on a T-shirt.
The next session was ‘Poly Stories’ I’d brought a few things to read, but I wasn’t sure what the format of the session would be as I wasn’t running it. A man with a Poly-Quaker T-shirt told a fairytale that ended in a three-way wedding, another man told of his real-life experiences of discovering polyamory. I read two stories, one from NSFW and one from my upcoming Bisexual Men book. A woman then read the most lovely children’s book, Six-dinner Sid, about a cat who lives with six families on one street. The session ended with a short but beautiful poem by the Poly-Quaker.
The evening ‘Speakeasy’ was a simple, but wonderful idea. Everyone mingled, chatted, and enjoyed the music from a very talented pianist who played music from the 1920s and 30’s.
I went home with a huge smile on my face, a happy poly woman.
Many thanks to all those who helped make Polyday a wonderful day for me.
If you also loved Polyday, then OpenCon is a Poly weekender that happens in October.
An Expanded Love is my polyamorous novel, part of which takes place at Polyday!
Polyamory on the telly →
Three brave souls talk about being polyamorous on the most mainstream, white bread, middle-of-the-road programme on British TV. Hopefully this will be viewable outside of the U.K
Edited to add: Click on the link as the interview is now viewable outside the U.K!!!
Article on upcoming Polyday 2011 →
A piece in the Metro for the upcoming Polyday 2011 that is happening on 27th August in London.
Polyday programme up →
It looks like Polyday 2011 will have an interesting mix of sessions including ‘amorous poly’ and ‘poly and kink’. There will be a disco in the evening which I’m rather looking forward to.
Another great review for An Expanded Love! →
Sally Sapphire from Book Slut gives a lovely, and detailed review of An Expanded Love.
“As intrigued as I was by the concept of a polyamorous drama, I wasn’t sure any author could really sell it, much less justify the concept at the heart of the story. What makes it work, and what draws the reader in, is the fact that Nadia struggles with the concept, even as she longs to embrace it. There are several instances where she writes herself diary entries from the future, assuring her it’s okay to love, and I think they sum up the message here best of all.”
Teaser Tuesday →
An Expanded Loves gets a mention on ‘Teaser Tuesdays’
There was a lovely Poly presence at Pride London this year! I could hear a lot of the people in the crowd saying, ‘Bi, Poly and Proud?’ and then asking the banner holders about it. I like to think they started many positive conversations as a result.
Polytical were great.
A 4 star review for An Expanded Love!
Gabriella West left me a very positive review for An Expanded Love on Smashwords
A snippet of the review
“This book gets four stars because of its originality and daring and because it’s a wonderful picture of alternative life in London: pubs, dances, cold flats, buses and all. I loved the way the narrator, Nadia, is so uncomfortable in her own skin at the beginning of the book and could really relate to it.”
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