For nearly two decades now, Sugarbutch has been a place where I write about queer kink, power exchange, gender, relationships, and the messy, beautiful ways we try to live our desires out loud.
Some of that work happens through essays and stories.
Some of it happens through workshops.
And some of it happens in conversation — the kind where a room full of kinky people start comparing notes and suddenly everyone walks away with a new idea.
That last part especially is something I’ve been wanting to cultivate more intentionally.
So this year I’m launching The Inner Circle Sessions, a Patreon-exclusive series of gatherings where we can talk about D/s, hype our smutty words, and support each other’s creative and kinky lives.
Patreon has always felt a little like an inner circle of people who want to see this work continue and grow, and this series is a way to deepen that connection even further.
Beginning in March and running through December, Patreon members at the webinar tier and above ($25/month) will have access to two monthly sessions plus four deep-dive workshops throughout the year.
The Monthly Sessions
Each month includes two 90-minute gatherings designed to support both sides of the work: the relational and the creative.
D/s Salon
A monthly open discussion for dominants, submissives, switches, and everyone navigating power exchange relationships.
Each session has a loose topic or prompt to get us started, but this is fundamentally a space to think out loud, ask questions, share what’s working and what isn’t, and be in conversation with other people who are serious about their D/s lives.
No agenda, no performance — just real talk about the dynamics we’re living in.
Spicy Hype Session
You’ve written the work. Now let’s get it out into the world.
Spicy Hype is a monthly open coworking session for writers with books, stories, or online publications they’re actively trying to promote. Bring whatever you’re working on — a pitch, a social post, a submission query, a release announcement — and work on it live alongside other writers who are in the same boat.
No teaching, no agenda. Just dedicated time, a supportive room, and people who understand exactly what it takes to promote queer and kinky writing in a world that doesn’t always make it easy.
Sessions rotate between Tuesday evenings at 6pm PT and Saturday mornings at 11am PT, so there are options no matter what your week looks like.
The Quarterly Workshops
Four times a year, the Saturday session becomes a 90-minute deep-dive workshop focused on a specific D/s topic. After the workshop, the D/s Salon continues at 1pm PT, offering space for conversation, reflection, and questions.
April 18 — Building Blocks of D/s
D/s relationships are infinitely varied — each one is designer, highly customized, made to order for the specific people in it. That’s the beauty and the liberation of power exchange. It’s also the challenge: how do you build exactly the D/s dynamic you want? We’ll cover the core building blocks — how to map your relationship’s Areas of Control, how to build protocol for fun, function, and erotic charge, and setting up rituals with meaning. Geared toward folks who are new to D/s, but people with more experience are welcome — you’ll find structures and language to enhance what you’re already building.
July 18 — Daddy 101: Build the Foundation
Somewhere in you there’s an inkling that you might just like being a daddy — or maybe you’re pretty sure your partner is one, and they just don’t know it yet. Come talk about the fundamental components of a daddy dynamic, how to start one, how to add one into an existing dynamic, and how to claim whatever daddy space feels right for you.
October 17 — High Protocol for D/s
Making rules, tasks, and ongoing protocol is one of the cornerstones of D/s dynamics — but it can be daunting to figure out where to start, how to create different structures for different spaces, and how to maintain the container. We’ll go over tools that help make protocol easier to experiment with and implement: the cartography of control areas, the protocol game, and levels of protocol. You’ll come away with tools and structure to elevate your protocol in any situation.
December 19 — TBA
Exact workshop title to be announced and decided later.
A Note About March
We’re launching a little off-pattern this month.
- Spicy Hype Session: Sunday, March 22 at 11am PT
- D/s Salon: Tuesday, March 31 at 6pm PT
Starting in April we’ll settle into the regular monthly rhythm.
The Space We’re Building
One of the things I care most about — both in writing and in teaching kink — is creating spaces where people can talk honestly about desire, power, and creativity.
Sometimes that happens through stories.
Sometimes through workshops.
Sometimes through conversation with other kinky nerds who are thinking about the same questions.
The Inner Circle Sessions are meant to hold all of that: community, curiosity, learning, and creative support.
If you’re a Patreon member at the Webinar tier or above, you’re invited. Session links will go out before each gathering.
I’ve been wanting to build something like this for a long time.
Now it’s here.
