Erotic Review

Erotic Review is a British literary and lifestyle magazine focused on sexuality, desire, erotic culture, and the relationship between sexual experience and the arts. Rather than positioning itself solely as an adult-entertainment title, the publication has historically combined essays, short fiction, poetry, visual art, interviews, cultural criticism, and reviews. Its editorial approach treats eroticism as a subject suitable for literary, political, social, and artistic examination. The publication began in 1995 as a monthly newsletter associated with the Erotic Print Society, an organization later known as Erotic Review Books. Jamie Maclean was the first editor. In 1997, Rowan Pelling took control and developed the title into a more substantial magazine. During Pelling’s tenure, circulation reportedly increased to approximately 30,000. In 2001, Pelling completed a management buyout from the Erotic Print Society, acquiring the magazine for a nominal sum while assuming its liabilities. This marked the first major transition from an organization-linked newsletter to an independently managed magazine brand. In 2003, Erotic Review was sold to Felix Dennis, whose Dennis Publishing portfolio included magazines such as Maxim. The title changed hands again in 2004, when it was acquired by a specialist adult-magazine publisher. An attempted relocation of the editorial operation to Penthouse’s Surrey offices led to the collective resignation of the existing editorial team. Catasha Kin, previously sub-editor of Penthouse UK, briefly became editor. Edward Timon subsequently became editor-in-chief at the end of 2004 and negotiated a restructuring connected with the revival of Forum, another British publication. Under Timon, Erotic Review moved from a monthly model toward a quarterly format and adopted a smaller A5 presentation with a substantially expanded page count. The redesign sought to broaden the audience beyond an older or highly literary readership while retaining serious writing and cultural coverage. Timon also promoted a more accessible editorial position associated with the British burlesque revival and with campaigns for sexual freedom, sexual education, and the right of people of different classes, incomes, and physical abilities to participate in erotic life. The relaunch edition, numbered 69, featured burlesque performer Miss Lily White and included a review by Barry Humphries. The magazine also explored a broader digital strategy during this period, with freely accessible online material alongside content available for purchase. Production and distribution were reorganized internationally, including a move of printing from Spain to Hong Kong. The changes were intended to reduce production costs and support a geographically wider readership, although the physical distribution chain remained complex. Jan Birks replaced Timon in late 2006 and attempted to make the magazine more mainstream and less socially exclusive. After two issues, the title was sold back to the Erotic Print Society in early 2007. Erotic Review was then combined with the society’s newer publication SEx and relaunched in December 2007, with Jamie Maclean returning as editor and Edward Timon serving as associate editor. In 2009, the magazine was purchased by Kate Copstick, a writer and broadcaster who had been one of its long-serving contributors. Literary agent Lisa Moylett of Coombs Moylett Literary Agency acquired the title in 2014. During Moylett’s ownership, the magazine collaborated with Mariella Frostrup on Desire: 100 of Literature’s Sexiest Stories, a project connecting the publication’s editorial interests with a curated literary anthology. Moylett sold Erotic Review back to Jamie Maclean in 2017. The magazine has published work by or associated with a wide range of writers, artists, performers, and cultural figures, including Sarah Waters, Michel Faber, Barry Humphries, Simon Raven, Auberon Waugh, Alain de Botton, India Knight, Arnold Wesker, Mariella Frostrup, Claus von Bülow, Damien Hirst, Boris Johnson, Malcolm McLaren, Steven Appleby, David Bailey, George Saunders, and Immodesty Blaize. DBC Pierre published his first short story in the magazine. Former contributors Victoria Coren and Charlie Skelton later drew on their experience reviewing pornographic films for Erotic Review when writing Once More, with Feeling: How We Tried to Make the Greatest Porn Film Ever. The publication is currently described as a UK-based magazine issued twice yearly. Lucy Roeber is identified as editor, Saskia Vogel as deputy editor, and Studio Frith as designer. Its present identity remains rooted in literary and artistic treatments of desire rather than narrowly defined adult publishing.

Erotic Review was established in 1995 by Jamie Maclean as a monthly newsletter connected with the Erotic Print Society. Rowan Pelling took control in 1997 and expanded the publication’s reach, with circulation eventually reported at about 30,000. Pelling completed a management buyout in 2001, acquiring the title while taking on its liabilities. The magazine was sold to Felix Dennis in 2003 and changed ownership again in 2004. A proposed move of the editorial staff to Penthouse’s Surrey offices caused the existing team to resign. Catasha Kin became editor, followed by Edward Timon as editor-in-chief later in 2004. Timon reshaped the title as a quarterly publication, using a smaller A5 format, a larger page count, and a broader editorial strategy intended to attract younger readers without abandoning literary standards. Timon’s period also included an effort to develop a more extensive online presence and to associate the magazine with sexual-freedom advocacy, erotic education, and the contemporary British burlesque scene. The relaunch edition, numbered 69, featured Miss Lily White and Barry Humphries. International production arrangements were changed, including printing in Hong Kong rather than Spain. Jan Birks replaced Timon in late 2006 and attempted to make the magazine more mainstream. After two issues, ownership returned to the Erotic Print Society in early 2007. Erotic Review was merged with the society’s magazine SEx and relaunched in December 2007, with Maclean as editor and Timon as associate editor. Kate Copstick acquired the title in 2009. Lisa Moylett acquired it in 2014 and collaborated with Mariella Frostrup on the anthology Desire: 100 of Literature’s Sexiest Stories. Maclean bought the magazine again in 2017. The publication is currently described as appearing twice yearly, with Lucy Roeber as editor, Saskia Vogel as deputy editor, and Studio Frith responsible for design. Its editorial scope includes essays, fiction, poetry, art, and reviews concerning sexuality, desire, and erotic culture.

• 2017

  Founder reacquires the title

  [1]Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Jamie Maclean buys Erotic Review again.

• 2014

  Lisa Moylett acquisition

  [1]Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Lisa Moylett acquires Erotic Review and later collaborates with Mariella Frostrup on a literary anthology.

• 2009

  Kate Copstick acquisition

  [1]Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Writer and broadcaster Kate Copstick purchases the magazine.

• 2007

  Merger with SEx

  [1]Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The title returns to the Erotic Print Society, merges with SEx, and is relaunched.

• 2005

  Quarterly relaunch

  [1]Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Edward Timon relaunches the magazine with a smaller physical format, more pages, and a broader audience strategy.

• 2004

  Editorial ownership upheaval

  [1]Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  A relocation attempt leads to the resignation of the existing editorial team and the appointment of Catasha Kin.

• 2003

  Dennis Publishing acquisition

  [1]Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Felix Dennis acquires Erotic Review through Dennis Publishing.

• 2001

  Management buyout

  [1]Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Pelling buys the magazine from the Erotic Print Society while assuming its liabilities.

• 1997

  Rowan Pelling assumes control

  [1]Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Pelling takes over the title and develops it into a larger magazine.

• 1995

  Publication founded

  [1]Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Jamie Maclean establishes Erotic Review as a monthly newsletter for the Erotic Print Society.

A literary, artistic, and culturally engaged publication about sexuality and desire, positioned between lifestyle journalism, literary magazines, arts publishing, and adult culture.

• Print magazine · 1995

  Erotic Review magazine

  The core publication is a British magazine devoted to essays, short stories, poetry, art, interviews, and reviews dealing with sexuality, desire, relationships, erotic culture, and the arts. It has appeared in several publishing formats, moving from a monthly newsletter to a larger magazine, then to a quarterly publication, and is currently described as being published twice yearly.

• Literary anthology · 2014

  Desire: 100 of Literature’s Sexiest Stories

  A literary anthology developed during Lisa Moylett’s ownership of Erotic Review in collaboration with Mariella Frostrup. The project extends the magazine’s interest in the literary history of erotic writing by presenting a curated collection of stories associated with sexual desire and sensuality.

• Digital publishing

  Erotic Review digital content

  During the mid-2000s relaunch period, the magazine developed a proposed online model combining freely available editorial material with content offered for purchase. The digital initiative reflected an attempt to use the internet to reach readers beyond the UK and to complement the physical magazine.

• 2005Sexual freedom and erotic education advocacy

  United Kingdom

  During Edward Timon’s editorship, Erotic Review publicly aligned its editorial identity with sexual-freedom campaigners and the Erotic Awards. The position linked erotic publishing with education, personal autonomy, and the defense of people’s ability to express and experience sexuality regardless of class, income, or physical ability.

  Outcome. The advocacy became part of the magazine’s broader repositioning toward a younger, more socially inclusive audience.

  Source
• 2005Audience broadening and burlesque-era relaunch

  United Kingdom · International

  The relaunch under Timon sought to make Erotic Review more accessible to audiences connected with the UK burlesque revival while preserving its literary and cultural character. The A5 format, expanded pagination, and less elitist editorial brief were central elements.

  Outcome. Readership reportedly grew during the following two years, although the later attempt to make the title more mainstream under Jan Birks was abandoned after two issues.

  Source

• 2007

  Return to the Erotic Print Society and merger with SExM&A

  Background

  A mainstreaming strategy under Jan Birks did not achieve the desired result after two issues.

  Action taken

  The magazine was sold back to the Erotic Print Society, merged with SEx, and relaunched with Jamie Maclean as editor.

  Aftermath

  Edward Timon returned as associate editor and the title continued under its original publishing connection.

  Source

• 2005

  Quarterly redesign and format changeGeneration change

  Background

  Edward Timon sought to revive the magazine and reach a younger, broader audience without removing its literary content.

  Action taken

  The magazine was shifted toward quarterly publication, reduced to A5 dimensions, given a larger page count, and supported by a planned digital offering.

  Aftermath

  The readership reportedly grew over the next two years.

  Source

• 2001

  Management buyout from the Erotic Print SocietyM&A

  Background

  The magazine’s parent organization was experiencing financial difficulties, creating an opportunity for Rowan Pelling to take independent control.

  Action taken

  Pelling acquired Erotic Review for £1 plus liabilities.

  Aftermath

  The transaction separated the magazine from its original organizational setting and preceded its later sale to Dennis Publishing.

  Acquisition price. £1 plus liabilities (2001)

  Source

1. 1Erotic Reviewen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Erotic Review websiteeroticreviewmagazine.com