Laura Antoniou

Laura Antoniou is the author of the well known Marketplace series of erotic novels, but has also written dozens of short stories, essays and other works in various genres for over 25 years. Winner of the NLA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, she has presented, taught and ranted at over 150 conferences and events since the early 80's, delivering enlightenment, entertainment and indictments. She has also appeared at colleges and universities, including NYU, Rutgers, Columbia and the University of Washington.

Over the years, her work has been translated into Spanish, German, Japanese and Hebrew; in 2010, she hit the world of e-books as the Marketplace moved to Circlet Press, and Laura came out as Christopher Morgan, best-selling writer of gay male erotica, including the novel Musclebound. Together with her wife, Karen Taylor, she has written a ritually correct leather Passover seder, titled Avadim Chayanu, available for free upon asking. All of her other available works can be found listed at her website, lantoniou.com

Laura plans more novels in the Marketplace series, and a collection of fan-written stories set in that universe as well. She is also working on a mystery titled The Killer Wore Leather, due out from Cleis Books.

SUBvert the DOMinant Paradigm – Alternative Models for D/S Relationships

Mistresses, masters and slaves, daddies and offspring, subs and doms; in a world that celebrates the erotic imagination, it's funny how limited our relationship models tend to be. Feel like you don't fit into someone else's definition? Wondering if there's a style that suits your desires and needs? Then explore relationship types from other sub-cultures, history, and even pure fantasy. Free yourself from the constraints and labels we already know so you can better describe who you are, what you want and where you want to take your kink. Participants will be encouraged to describe how they see themselves and their relationships and add to what will be an ongoing exploration of identity and self awareness.

Serious Players – Taking Responsibility for Your Choices

"Real." "Lifestyle." "TPE" "Old Guard." "Edgeplayer." Sometimes it seems everyone wants to be the badass of the kink community, the scary, absolute last word on perv cred. But if you truly want to live authentically, to be the rare hard case who really dies stand out from the crowd, you have to do the one simple thing so many people seem to ignore or evade...take responsibility for your choices. Unhappy and disappointed? Feeling betrayed and bitter? Wondering why you seem to pick the wrong people or get caught up in the same drama? Get off the internet and on your damn feet and stop blaming others for your situation. Learn to examine your own patterns and mistakes and then stop the cycles that keep you stuck in relationship ruts. Figure out what you want from your partner(s) and learn how to say it without apology. Then grow the fuck up and stand by your choices with open eyes. This is not a workshop for beginners or whiners, but for those who want to move on and stop the whining!

Panel: Reality Bites (with Midori, Mark Frazier, John Pendal, Laura Antoniou & Lolita)

In this first time panel discussion, John Pendal, Laura Antoniou, Lolita, Mark Frazier, and Midori discuss what may be lurking in the blind spots of contemporary kink and leather ways. The topics they banter about may include: How has “safe, sane & consensual” changed, and is it relevant anymore? Has the edge been dulled or is it sharper than ever? Who are we playing for? We’re trendy, now what? Has technique killed passion? What’s changed in expectations of tops, bottoms, dominants and submissive? Is this diversity or homogenization? How does nasty dirty fun survive in the bright glare and microscope of the internet and sterile convention hall dungeons? What is the new taboo? Five of our most experienced and knowledgeable presenters will give you an opportunity to ask questions and discuss some of these most important aspects of BDSM play. This is a panel discussion that should not be missed by the serious player.