Erotic award for Welsh book

The book contains stories from 26 women

A book of stories about "what really happens" in women's sex lives has won an award in London.

The Welsh publishers says Laughing, Not Laughing is an antidote to titillating tales featured in some women's magazines.

Written by 26 women aged between 20 and 60, the book has won the publications category in the Erotic Awards.

Published by Aberystwyth-based Honno Welsh Women's Press, it is described as "unique" and "revolutionary."

Bridgend-born Elizabeth Baines who submitted a story for the book said: "In spite of our society being so sexualised and people supposedly open about sex, I feel the emotional side is not dealt with.

We don't want it perceived as a so-called dirty book because it's not Lindsay Ashford of Honno

"I grew up in the 1960s when people were supposed to be mad for sex and open about it, but that was a lie for so many whose experiences of sex were painful.

"It's a kind of pressure that we're supposed to be open about sex and the book is an antidote to that.

"It focuses on the difficulties as well as the joy of sex, but it doesn't treat it (sex) as a commodity like so many magazines do."

Mrs Baines, who now lives in Manchester, added: "It's a unique and revolutionary book.

"It deals with he complexity of sex and how it's part of our emotional being."

Lindsay Ashford, publishing manager at Honno, said the book was a frank and unique look at sex.

"I don't know of any other book that draws on the experiences of those aged between 20 and 60," she said.

"It provides an antidote to women's magazines which say what women should be doing in their sex lives and what others are doing.

"You get the impression sometimes that people are at it (sex) all the time - the book is about what really happens instead of what's supposed to happen."

Mrs Ashford added: "There is a reluctance to talk about sex, although we're led to believe we live in an open society where we can talk about anything.

Nicola Craddock and Lindsay Ashford collected the award in London

"The book isn't intended to be erotic, but there are some stories that are quite titillating and there are others which spell out the horrible things that have happened to women.

"We don't want it perceived as a so-called dirty book because it's not, it's a frank and honest and charts what really happens in women's sex lives."

Nicola Craddock, of Honno, received the award on behalf of the authors.

She said: "This award is wonderful recognition of the bravery of these women who have been willing to share their most personal experiences with us."

Laughing, Not Laughing, edited by Catherine Merriman, features many different aspects of sexual experience ranging from losing virginity, to sexual abuse, to lesbianism and lots more.

It was launched at The Guardian Hay Festival earlier this year.

Mrs Merriman said: "I am delighted that the courage of our contributors has been recognised, and it's hard to see where else this recognition might have come from - The Erotic Awards, after all, 'honour people who are unafraid to work in sexuality.'

The collection has also been selected by W H Smith as their Welsh book of the month for September.