Romance and erotica gatherings

Illustration: Matty Fitzgerald

Nothing’s as sexy as sex itself, but the next best things are talking about, writing about and reading about the act. Check out the bodice-ripper being read next to you on the subway, or stop by a downtown lounge to hear sexy tales told aloud—proof that New Yorkers have sex on the brain.

“New York is a tough city, just in general, but there’s so much romance out there,” says Donna Hill, a lifelong Brooklyn resident who has published more than fifty love-themed African-American romances. Most of her books are set in the city, and none feature Fabio haircuts or damsels in distress. “I firmly believe there are true love stories happening in New York City all the time,” Hill says. “I don’t think the rush-rush and pull-pull of New York takes away from the romance possibilities.”

Hill is among the nearly 100 members of New York City’s chapter of the Romance Writers of America, which will host the organization’s national conference in 2011. Romance junkies can pitch in with the planning, bring pages to be critiqued and hear guest speakers at the group’s monthly meeting on Saturday 6 (44 E 32nd St between Madison and Park Aves, 11th floor; rwanyc.com; noon).

When the brains behind Lady Jane’s Salon started their monthly romance readings, they weren’t expecting a crowd of more than 50 people. “The gender breakdown is obviously heavily weighted toward women, but not as much as you’d think,” says cofounder Hope Tarr, who’s published 12 novels, some for romance kingpin Harlequin. The evening encourages mingling and a celebration of diversity within the genre, occasionally including little-recognized subsets devoted to gay, urban and Christian-inspired love stories. The next gathering, on March 1, will feature writer Andrea Pickens, sometimes known by pen name Cara Elliot (Madame X, 94 W Houston St between La Guardia Pl and Thompson St; 212-539-0808, ladyjanesalon.com; 7pm, $5).

“There’s a high degree of sensuality and sexuality” in romance novels, says Tarr, “but it’s loving and monogamous.” That’s not always the case with erotica, though the lines do blur, says event host Rachel Kramer Bussel, a contributor to TONY and Penthouse. “Romance [is getting] racier and more explicit, and people are injecting love into their erotica, with couples exploring together,” says Kramer Bussel. Her readings have themes, including BDSM and nerd sex, and she teaches a four-part erotic-writing workshop series at retail store Shag (108 Roebling St at North 6th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 347-721-3302, weloveshag.com; Sat 6–Mar 6 at 2pm, $52 for four).

Not only does NYC welcome dork love, but erotic anime illustrator Hiroki Otsuka found that his work flourished here. “In Japan, my comics are porn,” he says, “but here, people appreciate it. They don’t only see it as porn; it’s art.” The show “Cup Noodle” features his manga, which he describes as “erotic, gay, lesbian—all dealing with acceptance and fantasy,” at Shag through March 28. But even a man who devotes full pages of art to climax scenes has a soft spot for the lovey-dovey stuff—“Romance is wonderful in New York!” he claims.

More erotica events

• Happy Ending is more than a venue for the monthly In the Flesh Erotic Reading Series—it’s practically the theme (302 Broome St between Eldridge and Forsyth Sts; 212-334-9676, inthefleshreadingseries.blogspot.com; next reading Feb 18 at 8pm, free). Six to eight writers perform material about the evening’s subject, and everyone gets a sugar high from free Baked by Melissa cupcakes.

• Forbidden Kiss is a busting-at-the-seams variety show of erotic sketches, monologues, burlesque and song, held at Stage Left Studio (438 W 37th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves, 212-868-4444, forbiddenkiss.info; next show Sat 6 at 8pm, $13–$18). At the next installment, expect a crowd favorite: humorous voiceovers for foreign sex films. Reader’s Kiss, on the other hand, is a more intimate, salon-style erotica reading and includes free wine and snacks (forbiddenkiss.info; next reading Mar 21 6–8pm, $10).

• BET personality Abiola Abrams hosts Abiola’s Kiss & Tell, featuring writers, comedians and bloggers telling sex and dating stories every third Tuesday of the month at Madame X (abiolaabrams.com; next show Feb 16 at 7:30pm, free).

• Sex Worker Literati, led by writers Audacia Ray and David Henry Sterry, boasts some of the grittiest erotica in the city as sex workers read and perform stories about their industry. Upcoming readings are titled “Show and Tell: My Favorite Outfit” and “The Craziest Ho I Ever Did Know” (Happy Ending Lounge, hoshookerscallgirlsrentboys.com; next reading Mar 4 at 7pm, free).—SC

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