Held as part of the Sydney Leather Queers Social Gathering

Rose of Australia pub, Vineyard Room

Tix: https://www.facebook.com/events/2874480189397027

6pm 8th February

The Moat Bar (under the Wheeler Centre, Melbourne)

as part of the Trans Book Festival

Launched by Kris Kneen

Readings by Cash Torn, Tiger Salmon, Erin Riley and Orlando Silver

Meet the Incision Press team & be the first to know about the next anthology callout

Tix: https://events.humanitix.com/trans-book-festival?hxchl=hex-pfl

Let’s get intimate 

Tix here: https://events.humanitix.com/speak-dirty-open-mic-night?hxchl=hex-pfl

Cradled in the loving arms of The Press Coffee and Book House, join Swoon Bookstore for Speak Dirty - an open mic night for the writers and poets amongst us that explore intimate, erotic and filthy themes. No Happy Ever Afters are ever guaranteed, but this evening is sure to provoke. 

Kicking off an hour after our writing masterclass, Write Dirty, which is guided by Orlando Silver - participants of that class secure a guaranteed spot in the evenings limited readings should they so desire, otherwise places are allocated first-in on the night so we would encourage early entry. In addition to having a captivated audience hanging off your every word, we have some seriously delicious prizes for our talented writers - with an option to opt out if you would prefer not to participate. 

There are three ways to win - 

• Woo Orlando Silver and be chosen as his pick 

• Entice Swoon Bookstore for them to bestow their favor OR

• Be the crowd favorite and take your prize!

Not a writer or not interested in reading? No worries, come and join in on the audience and soak up the untapped talent that will be speaking dirty to you. Each attendee (audience and/or writer) will receive their voting slips, which, when completed and handed in, equals ONE entry into the raffle to win Orlando Silver’s latest project, the “Take it outside” anthology. At the end of the evening (or before, if they’re certain), they can submit their vote for the crowd favorite prize. Additional voting slips - and therefore raffle entries - can be bought for an extra $2 each or 6 for $10. 

Need to knows:

• 20 spots available for open mic night 

• Time is capped at 5 minutes for participants

Date: 01 February 2025

Doors: 6PM 

Readings: 6:30 PM - 9 PM

Announcements: 9:15 PM

Fin: 9:30PM.

A masterclass in filth, guided by Orlando Silver

Tix Here: https://events.humanitix.com/write-dirty-a-masterclass-of-filth-by-orlando-silver

Swoon Bookstore is thrilled to be conspiring with Orlando Silver (he/they), to bring you a writers masterclass in exploring intimacy, filth and provocative narratives. 

With spots limited to 10, this class will be a small and personal forum, designed to help you refine your craft, push your creative limitations and your writing boundaries with plenty of direct feedback from your peers and Orlando themself - as well as a rare opportunity to connect deeply with fellow writers in the warm and loving embrace of The Press Coffee and Book House (which we will have completely to ourselves for the masterclass), a Newcastle institution. 

Orlando Silver (@orlando_silver_ on instagram), is a trans, queer writer living, working and playing on Darug and Gundungurra lands. He is many things - a playwright, fiction writer, and a poet - but most of all he is an evocative story-and truth-teller. A threading commonality across his works is the focus of the intersection of desire, transgender identities and embodiment - and that they can often be heart wrenching and hot in equal portions. Some of his work includes “Soft Daddy” (2024), “Escape Velocity” (2003), “I write the Body” (Kith Books) - but his new anthology “Take it Outside” is due for publication through his new imprint, Incision Press (very loud, very small, very queer and trans press). 

Swoon Bookstore is a queer-owned and run bookstore that operates with intent; our intent is to provide community and to hold space in a way that exceeds a mainstream bookstore. We delight in working with smaller, indie authors and providing unexpected experiences along the way. We are audacious dreamers with a belief in uplifting and supporting others. 

What to expect:

• A warm, private venue at the disposal of the class 

• Adaptable and flexible writing exercises based on the tone of the participants (you!)

• Adaptable and flexible schedule based on the feelings of the participants (you!)

• Community-bonding - the intimate setting is ideal to forge bonds with other writers

• A safe space to share your words and work on the day with your peers and Orlando BUT

• there is zero pressure to share. 

• Real-Time feedback - receive constructive, encouraging one-on-one critique on your work in a supportive, open environment. Whether you're a novelist, short story writer, or poet, you will walk away with so much that you can feed back into your works!

Ticket inclusions:

• Private venue at the disposal of the class only 

• Personalized and intimate guidance from Orlando Silver 

• Snacks!

• Skip the queue! First priority for the Speak Dirty open mic night (limited to 20 on the night)

• Take home personalized writing journal and pen