Very soon you’ll have the chance to celebrate and reward all that’s best in Erotic Mind Control literature.

For the moment though, you’re just going to have to wait, while the anticipation builds and builds.

Notices will be posted here, at the MC Forum, MC Garden, Hypnopics Collective and wherever else hypno-pervs congregate.

So, keep checking back and remind yourself of just how good it’s going to feel when you’re finally allowed to join in…

Las Fallas and Other Stories by Nymph

Stories of seduction and its consequences in three acts: one of life, one of death, and one of afterlife.

A triumvirate of increasingly dark and yet undeniably seductive tales, each economically crafted to provide the maximum erotic kick in the minimum of words. As always the author uses symbolism to evoke an otherworldly atmosphere, while still keeping the stories firmly grounded in a world recognisably our own.

From the lush, fertile playground of Las Fallas and its fae-touched nymphets, via Last Acts (where the consequences of demonic pacts are laid out so starkly) through to Ferryman where the eroticism drips like bitter, molten chocolate. Each piece serves to stir very different emotions and yet in combination they form one perfect whole.

Green (FD)

Tainted Love by Jukebox

Liam buys a love potion in an attempt to get Charlotte back.

This is a delightfully twisted tale of mental transformation, complete with unintended, (though not, given the title, entirely unexpected), consequences. The author use of language is almost playful, and the verbal ‘games’ within the text are often at least as compelling as the story itself.

It is a difficult trick, to make a character as fundamentally flawed as Liam, feel sympathetic and yet, the writer manages it (with a considerable degree of aplomb). Charlotte, by contrast, could have been a mere cipher. But, when the time comes, we know her well enough for her transformation to mean something.

Yellow (MD)

Free Universal Carnal Knowledge by London Chap

What would happen if an ordinary man suddenly found he could have any woman – literally, any woman – that he wants? It sounds like a dream but when it comes true, it turns out that the ultimate sex drug can cause as many problems as it solves.

This is a fantasy in the ‘what if a regular guy irresistible to women’ genre that is detailed, given a realistic feel and draws three-dimensional characters. You meet James and his wife Wendy and his co-workers and quickly you seem to know them as well as your neighbor, which leaves the reader with confused feelings on his activities. Very thought provoking as well as reading all the effects of F.U.C.K..

There should be no drama in the girl’s fall but each one somehow is different, not easy to pull off considering its length. One of the author’s best tricks in the story is that although it is 46 chapters, almost all of them have a neat cliffhanger at the end.

Purple (Mixed)

The Anlorgash Incident by Lady K

A scientist researches paranormal activity at Lake Anlorgash.

The heat of this story blends seamlessly with the Lovecraftian horror to produce a tale of near-perfect, shiver-inducing squick. There is a visceral quality to the writing that fits the dark and gritty tone, while still giving enough latitude to allow the reader to feel sympathy for its protagonist.

An unremittingly dark story, it spares no punches on its way to an ending that could never be described as ‘happy. And yet, despite (or perhaps even because of) that, you’re left with a feeling of exhilaration and the disturbing sense that you really shouldn’t have enjoyed it quite as much as you obviously did.

White (MM)

For The Team by Bad Penny

Jake’s not particularly close to his little brother, but he’ll do what he can to protect him.

Political shenanigans combine with hot and nasty sex in this intriguing tale of blackmail and just desserts. The writing shows an economy of language, while still painting a vivid and often uncomfortable picture of exactly what is happening. And yet, there are more than enough questions left by the end to more than justify its “to be continued” tease.

In an effective ensemble piece, it is perhaps telling that only one character emerges as genuinely like-able. But while Jake is without doubt the central character, it is Donavan who steals the show. He’s an intriguing creation, who, though cast in the role of ‘rescuer’ remains both disquietingly sinister and yet somehow almost ‘honourable’ throughout.

Gold (Classic MC Story)

There are very few names in the Mind Control Genre who can be counted as ‘must read’, Tabico is one of them. This Mistress of the genre spins stories that can be erotic, disturbing, high concept, horrific,
romantic and space-operatic; often in the same story.

But which of her Forty Eight stories is the Best of the best? The neighbourly Body snatchers in ‘Pea’, the fembot factory in ‘Rouge?’, The demonic delights of ‘Balphagor’? Any of these could have been ‘the
one’.

The story we’ve selected, is, (perhaps oddly), the one with arguably
the least sex in it.

Adaptation

Set on a distant colony world, it is a story of a tiny
teenage rebellion, a little bit of naughtiness that spins out of control, leading to an alien embrace that is far more intimate and permanent than a simple sex act. (phobia warning – contains insects)

We’d also like to congratulate all the authors who received nominations, those included in the final vote-off, and especially the winners in each category, for all their fine efforts and stories, and for sharing them with all of us last year.

We wish you all an inspired and productive 2009 and look forward to seeing you again next year.