My mission is to center queer, atypical narratives in the contemporary rom-com genre. As a queer, polyamorous educator, I hope to bring nuanced insight into this new wave of romance. I aim to make readers laugh, fall for flawed characters, and learn something new as I subtly (sometimes not-so-subtly) weave sexual education into my novels.
I've been working as a sexual health and wellness educator at Milwaukeeās only feminist, mission-driven sex toy store, The Tool Shed: An Erotic Boutique, since 2010, and I co-wrote The Pegging Book: A Complete Guide to Anal Sex with a Strap-On Dildo (published by Thornapple Press, 2022). Iāve also run The Milwaukee Poly Group, an ethical non-monogamy discussion group, for the past 17 years. I majored in English and Creative Writing and graduated with a BA from UW-Milwaukee in 2009. Outside of work, I am a mother, an avid knitter, and a major geek.
Authors Cooper S. Beckett and Lyndzi Miller tackle all youāve ever wanted to know about pegging. How do we do it? What are the right tools for the job? Does it actually feel good? Iām a straight guy, will pegging make me gay? They answer these questions and also talk about safety, male anatomy and the health benefits of being pegged.
Beckett and Miller guide you through your experimentation with this most excellent act in a friendly and conversational fashion, showing you an in-depth look between the cheeks.
The world of contemporary romance has shifted in the wake of the #MeToo movement, and authors can either get on board with sex-positive consent culture or get out of the way. In this panel, weāll be discussing how authors have been subverting social expectations of sex on the page, the responsibility (or lack thereof) that authors have of portraying āreal sexā to their readers, and the next frontiers of sex-positivity in the romance genre.
In Romance books we have a world of endless fantasies available to us. So, why choose books with cishet main characters and the same old, tired love-triangle plot? In this panel, we will discuss the rise of queer love, trans representation, and the emergence of positive portrayals of polyamorous relationships in mainstream romances.
Polyamory Uncensored is a podcast where we interview polyam people and try to answer the 5 basic tenets of journalism: who, what, when, where, and why as it pertains to the life of us polyam folks.
The Tool Shedās mission is to provide quality, body-friendly products that enhance the sexual lives and relationships of our customers, while offering accurate, pleasure-based sexuality education in a welcoming atmosphere. The Tool Shed is also committed to serving as a leading resource for quality products and information for trans and non-binary people.
Milwaukee Poly is a group for all those wishing to explore, learn about, and better understand responsible non-monogamy in all its forms. Whether it is polyamory, polyfidelity, open marriage, swinging, solo-poly, multiple relationships, or just curiosity, this is space where you are welcome to speak honestly and be heard respectfully.
I started dying for myself then decided I could do this for others and it has snowballed into something amazing. I dye all of my yarn on my kitchen stove and I am inspired by all of my favorite geeky things. From Disney movies I grew up with as a kid to superhero flicks and space-cowboy shows I'm into now, I love finding the color that encapsulates characters, shows, and moments in geekdom.