Personally, I love erotica. What could be better than a well-written story that gets you in the mood? It doesn’t always have to be fiction, and it definitely doesn’t have to be long. Sometimes a short and subtle erotic poem is much better than a prolonged novel with extensively graphic sex scenes.

It's International Literacy Day today and in celebration I’ve created a short history of erotica with everything from ancient scripts to semi-autobiographical diaries. They might not all push your buttons, but they have ignited centuries' worth of love, lust and pleasure and are still exciting to read and appreciate today.

Whether you’re into dominance and submission, seeking tales of debauchery and prostitution or looking for a classic love story there’s something in the genre for you... after all, we have the whole history of the written word to explore.

Earlier this year we announced that Lovehoney were sponsoring the first ever Filament Magazine fiction competition. The competition has now closed, all entries have been read and raised pulses as the winners were selected. 

Filament’s fiction editor Megan Lewis had the difficult job of reading over 100 entries from around the world to select the finalists. The crème de la crème of amateur erotic fiction was then sent to one of favourite sex experts and educators - Violet Blue - who selected the winner of a cash prize and coveted publication in Filament Magazine.

K D Grace was born with a writing obsession. It got worse once she actually learned how to write. There's no treatment for it. It's progressive and chronic and quite often interferes with normal, everyday functioning. She might actually be concerned if it wasn't so damned much fun most of the time.

Her erotica has been published with Xcite Books, Mammoth, Cleis Press, Black Lace, Erotic Review, Ravenous Romance, and Scarlet Magazine.

K D's critically-acclaimed erotic romance novel, The Initiation of Ms Holly, published by Xcite Books, is Lovehoney's Erotic Book of the Month for June. Buy the 5 star-rated book by K D Grace and get a Lovehoney Powerful Pocket Vibrator absolutely free - a super-charged erotic evening is practically guaranteed.

1. K D, tell us about how you got started writing erotica.

I’ve always enjoyed writing the sex scenes in whatever fiction I was writing. They were actually my favourite parts, and I was good at writing them. Unlike a lot of my writer friends, I didn’t find it hard to write the naughty bits. When I first saw Scarlet Magazine’s section for erotica called ‘Cliterature', I thought to myself, ‘I can write that.’ I sent off a story called ‘The Night Bus’ and Scarlet bought it. That was the beginning...

Everyone is a fan of a naughty bedtime read and here at LoveHoney we have been revelling in the fine selection of erotic literature on offer, taking us into the autumnal months when staying at home with tales of fantasy and sexual adventure with a nice cup of tea is extremely tempting.

October's Book of the Month is The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica 9, an unputdownable collection of erotica, featuring 42 new stories of naughty encounters, selected from every corner of the world.

If the October Erotic Book of the Month tickles your fancy, we have only gone and added to its appeal with the offer of a 10 Function Stimulating G-Spot Wand Vibrator worth £21.99 when you purchase the book. The combination of a fine selection of literature with an extremely fine pleasure toy is certainly one with winning potential you could say!

We also have lots of new erotic novels including Subduing Jacqueline, an erotic tale of one man's mysterious power over his female staff and Girl Trade, a tale of a captive jewel dedicated to the pleasures of flesh in all its shapes and sizes.

Have a great October and may it be filled with a great selection of erotic literature to keep you entertained and satisfied!

I picked up on this article in The Daily Mail advising that a bedtime story is the perfect aphrodisiac!

“Seven in ten men regularly read to their wives and girfriends to help them relax before going to sleep, a study found.” Where are these men? I'm jealous! Ah, apparently only 64% of men in the South West of England do this, hmph!

Well, even if your partner doesn't get Jackanory with you every night, you can still take advantage of the new, steamy erotic fiction we've added to our library.

The season of love isn’t just for new lovers and secret admirers; it’s perfect for long term couples who want to add that spark back into their relationship.

Buying lots of sensual sex toys and gorgeous lingerie is a good way to kick starting your love life but more lasting help is available in Tracey Cox’s latest book, Supersex for Life.

Sex expert and relationship coach Tracey, has put together all her knowledge and advice into this one brilliant book, allowing those couples who have already explored the Kama Sutra and the tired 'ice cube blowjob' technique to find something new and exciting to try together.

Beautifully presented in a gorgeous hardback cover, the full-colour photographs and witty text is sure to make Supersex for Life a great gift for Valentine’s Day.

Check out our free extract below for some great tips from Tracey for long term lovers:

As well as the free extract of the Book of the Month we’re also offering a free festive extract from Liasions, a book filled with erotic encounters from the team at Black Lace!

This sensual short story collection is the perfect antidote to the mood-killing Queen’s speech and boring brussel sprouts! So grab your copy now, curl up on the sofa and get ready to become hot under the collar...

December's book of the month is Tracey Cox Sextasy - a glorious hard back book packed with gorgeous photos, sexy hints, top tips and great advice on exploring every erogenous zone.

When you buy Sextasy during December, you'll automatically receive a free Tracey Cox Supersex Vibrating Love Egg - making this a great gift for a flirty friend or lusty lover.

As well as receiving a great free gift, you're also able to enter our Tracey Cox signed book giveaway to receive one of 15 other books from the Tracey Cox range. Visit this blog post for more details.

If you're still not convinced by our amazing Christmas giveaway, then check out the free extract of Sextasy below for some hot hints...

Seeing as its Christmas and we’re feeling ultra festive, we’ve decided that December’s book of the month needs some serious show-stopping appeal.

Forget short story anthologies, forget epic fairytales with a fetish twist and definitely forget those mini books detailing all the sex positions you already know; we’ve got something that will fill your stockings - and your boots.

For one month only, you can pick up the luxury hard back better sex guide known as Tracey Cox Sextasy and receive a free Tracey Cox Supersex Vibrating Love Egg worth £12.99!

But not only that, when you buy Tracey Cox Sextasy during the month of December, you could be in with the chance of winning one of 15 signed books from the Tracey Cox range!

Fill in the ultra-quick form below with your Sextasy order number and we will pick the winners at random throughout December.

So you’ll be getting Tracey Cox Sextasy, a free Tracey Cox Supersex Vibrating Love Egg and the chance to win a signed copy of Supersex, SuperHotSex, Tracey Cox Kama Sutra, Pocket Supersex or Hot Sex - all for just £14.99!

Filled with top tips and lots of ways to spice up your sex life, international sex expert Tracey Cox has created these books with your pleasure in mind.

A winter bargain, if we do say so ourselves...

THIS COMPETITION AND OFFER IS NOW CLOSED.

Check out the free extract to find out why Sextasy is the greatest Christmas present!

As it's coming up to Christmas, we thought we'd offer a very special Book of the Month from Black Lace - No Reservations.

But what makes this sensual piece of erotica so exceptional? It's written by not just one of the best authors around, but two of them!

And it comes with a free BASIC Sex Toys Love Bullet Vibrator for one month only!