'Forthright but funny feminism shines through' Grazia
'Enlightening, inspiring, funny, shocking and brave, every woman should get a copy' Stylist
I want to have slow sex, work out what to do with a penis, and experience the fourteen different types of female orgasm.
In her mid-thirties, Lucy-Anne Holmes still felt like a novice when it came to sex. But when she tried to find out what she could do about it, she realised everything she googled was geared to male pleasure rather than to women’s. Determined not to let this stop her, Lucy penned a list and set out to discover what her sex life was missing. She embarked on an adventure which would change her life.
Lucy has written the book about sex she wanted to read. It will make you snort with laughter one minute and weep the next; it is frank, eye-opening and inspiring, and will speak to women everywhere.
More information
Lucy-Anne Holmes
Lucy-Anne Holmes is a writer and campaigner. Her last novel Just a Girl Standing In Front of a Boy won the Romantic Novelists Association 'Rom Com of the Year 2015' and she founded the successful No More Page 3 campaign.
She lives in Hertfordshire with her partner and young son.
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11th September 2019Lots of Exciting Things
Beautiful people,
I have so many exciting things to share that I might explode!
THE PAPERBACK! - we did it! Thanks to you spreading the word we sold enough copies of the hard back for the good people of Unbound to take a punt on releasing a PAPERBACK! (So handy for the handbag) Set to be released on 6th Feb. I will share the cover design when I get it.
.
AUDIO BOOK! - An audio book of…
17th May 2019A little update about Don't Hold My Head Down
Hello hello!
Just zooming in with a little update about Don’t Hold My Head Down.
Very excitingly I was asked to write quite a long feature for a Guardian Weekend , Sex and Intimacy, supplement. It should be in tomorrow’s edition along with a um VERY ORANGE photoshoot of me.
Please do keep an eye out for it and send it some love!
Also, I’m going to be doing a few talkies over…
28th February 2019Come and see me in March!
Hello hello,
I hope you are well.
I have loved launching Don't Hold My Head Down into the world. Particularly being a 'Number 1 best seller in sex' on Amazon, I may pop that on a business card. And MP Hannah Bardell telling everyone present to put it on their reading list during the recent debate on Sex and Relationship eductation in the House of Commons.
I have got quite a lot of talkies…
7th February 2019PUBLICATION DAY!!!
Hello hello!
It is publication day for Don't Hold My Head Down and I am buzzing and bursting with gratitude.
THE BIGGEST THANK YOU to you for supporting this project.
Yesterday I went on Woman's Hour and was interviewed about it by Jenny Murray. The response since has been wonderful. I lept from somewhere in the region of 130,000 in the Amazon chart to 89th out of the whole Amazon chart yesterday…
25th September 2018A little proposition for you...
Hello to you 444 dear kind wonderful people who have bought the first copies of my book,
Good news!!
The book is (SO NEARLY) FINISHED! Proof copies are being printed right now and Don’t Hold My Head Down will be out in the world and landing on your doormat in early February. It is all very exciting.
Aaaaand I have a little proposition for you all. A mission, should you choose to accept it…
17th August 2017Good news!
Hello wonderful people!
I just wanted to stop by and update you on the book.
I have completed an early first draft! Whoop!
High five. I thank you.
I call it an early first draft as it is still a bit rubbish, but it’s a starting point on which to build. I haven’t sent it to Unbound just yet, it is currently with some buddies I trust and admire who will tell me where it is particularly crap…
14th June 2017Wahooooo!!!
Hello! Hello! Hello! *high kick, wiggle
You may have spotted I'm rather jolly this morning!!
Well...that is because...
WE DID IT!! WE MADE 100%! THIS BOOK IS GOING TO HAPPEN!!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU SO SO SOOO MUCH for pledging, for sharing and for believing in me and the project.
Now, I just have to finish the manuscript and make it really good so you are proud to have your…
18th May 201769%
Good afternoon wonderful people!
How are you diddling? I do hope well.
I am thrilled to say that I am 69% funded! Yes, yes, I know what you are thinking but that isn’t the only reason why this is exciting….it is exciting because the good people at Unbound tell me that no one has got to 70% and not made it. We are so close!
Also, rather wonderfully, I was interviewed about the project by industry…
30th April 2017An update about my sex book
Hello kind people who have supported my sex book!
First of all, I am very sorry it has taken me TWO YEARS to get in touch. But you see they were a very busy two years, with an awful lot going on, so I had to put 'crowdfunding my sex book' on the back burner for a wee while. There were my two very poorly parents (thankfully doing really well now) there was a birth (cor blimey, that was a bit full…
9th April 2015Hello Shed People!
Ooo I'm a bit excited to be writing in my Shed!
Apologies for it taking me so long to get acquainted with this space and to pop up and say a massive and really heartfelt thank you to you all for supporting this project.
In excuse of my terrible tardiness, things have been a bit busy of late. Page 3 went, then reappeared, but now thankfully seems to be really properly gone. Boom! I wrote a little…
Philip Stewart asked:
Does love come into it?
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Hi Philip!
Yes, it certainly does.
Eddie Marshall asked:
Lucy Anne, thank you for being brave enough to want to tell your story. I think it is fascisinating. Even as a Heterosexual man I think have a lot to learn from women like yourself. I am proud to support the book and hope its publication will inspire women to be more confident sexually and help them stand up for the respect they deserve. Good luck with the project. I truly think you are brilliant! Men can be such b*stards towards women but it doesn't have to be that way. What you are doing with this book and the No More Page 3 Campaign will, I hope, go a long way to rectifying the inequality and disrespect that is meated out on women. I, for one, don't feel this has any place in the 21st Century! I wish you all the good luck in the world. You are an inspirational woman! Sorry that is not a question and more a rambling comment!
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
oh wow, Eddie, I'm so touched by your kind post. Thank you :)
Veronica Morgan asked:
What's the chapter structure? Sort of thematic, or chronological, or pieces of advice?
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Hi Veronica,
Good question!!
Currently it's mainly chronological, with the feel hopefully being of a friend telling you a story, but deviating off here and there for a rant or to impart some info.
That is the plan I'm working with at this first draft stage anyway.
Brian Taylor asked:
Alternative title - or sequel: Let Go of My Ears: I Know What I'm Doing
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Ha! That is brilliant (sorry! just saw this!!)
Norah Myers asked:
Hi Lucy Anne,
I write for BookMachine and I would love to interview you about your experience with Unbound. May I?
All best,
Norah
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Hello Norah!
If you are still keen I would love to do this!
I have nearly finished a first daft of the book and am relaunching the campaign to get to 100% (and beyond) with Unbound.
Jade Eve Foxall asked:
You are my favourite author. Your rom-com books are all i need to make me laugh until i snort at any time in the day! You say things the way they are and it's something i've always failed to do. I'm a creative writing student (it's not what i want to be but it's something i've enjoyed) and you made me realise what kind of writer i want to be. You make things seem so real, in your books, and it makes me feel like there's someone who completely gets me. Sex is also something i've worried about, being a young adult, the expectations, insecurities, what's expected of me in this society and i know that once i read Don't Hold My Head Down, i'll have all the confidence i need, you make me feel better about myself and i know this isn't a question but i just needed to say thank you and good luck. You're bloody brilliant.
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Hello Jade, I'm a bit speechless by your lovely post. Thank you so much. X
Rebecca Quinn asked:
Hi Lucy-Anne,
I'm studying Fashion Communication at Northumbria, I'm focusing my dissertation on 'Is Nudity Acceptable in Fashion Publications in 2015?'
Examples of high end publications such as LOVE and Vogue which both use explicit nudity, in comparison to The Sun and Zoo...Do you think context has anything to do with how they 'get away' with it?
You are so admirable, I would love your view!
Thank you!
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Hi Rebecca,
So I am two years late in responding to this. I am so sorry! I hope the dissertation went well!
Jane Elmor asked:
Hi Lucy - no question - just wanted to say good for you! Good for everyone! Jxxx
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Hurrah to this! Thank you! X
Prue Nichols asked:
Lucy I loved the sample chapter you shared. You are such an inspiration. Keep writing - the world needs you.
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Ooo thank you! Feeling a bit warm and fuzzy now. X
Maj Ikle asked:
Im writing an explicit memoir and am worried about violent/creepy/friend loss reactions, have you had any bad reactions?
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Hi Maj!
Luckily, no! Not yet at least. In fact I was just thinking earlier today how much I like discussing sex and sexuality and feel really privaleged how often people then share their experiences and vulnerabilities with me.
Good luck with yours!
Henrietta Heald asked:
Hi Lucy-Anne
I am another Unbound author and I came across your book by chance. I was really impressed by the video and have made a pledge. Hope to meet you some day.
Good luck with everything, Henrietta
https://unbound.com/books/magnificent-women
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Hi Henrietta!!
THANK YOU!!
I admire yours too! All the best with it. Yes, it would be wonderful to meet.
Perhaps Unbound could have an authors soiree!!
(I will definitely be pledging for yours when I am a little richer, it is very much on my radar) x
Gwen Rahardja asked:
Hi Lucy!
About the alternative porn titles.... possibly but corny etc but things that come to mind (after giving it some thought!):
- The Builder
- His hands (suppose it could them be, his tongue, his..., etc!)
- An awakening (hmmm I know, not terribly sexy!) Or the Rising?
- The slow tease
- The garden flat (!) (I don’t know, thinking could revolve round flat viewings and real
Estate agents, who knows? Or maybe a female estate agent decides to seduce a couple viewing a flat... or they seduce her... but it would be property porn as well as actual porn?!)
And right now I’m totally not envious of people who have to come up with these titles!
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
I can't believe I have only just seen these, Gwen! Thank you! Will see if it is not too late to submit them. Loving the property and actual porn fusion you have created here! x
Jonathan Griffith asked:
Well done Lucy! The book should be in every Quaker Meeting's library! There would probably be fuss, but good and necessary! Continuing in the tradition of 'Towards a Quaker View of Sex'. (are you old enough to remember that? Slow progress.)
I'm severely incapacitated now - https://lifesrichtradingblog.home.blog/ - and need 'intimate care' and I wish I had several friends who felt comfortable looking after me, just as part of everyday friendship - and sex could be a natural part of that.. As it is, there're so many inhibitions and taboos to get through.
May I 'suggest your name' to the Swarthmore Lecture Committee? But you would have to speak more slowly!
Lucy-Anne Holmes replied:
Hello, fellow Quaker!
Thanks so much for messaging. I will check out your blog.
Yes, I hear you regarding the taboos and inhibitions regarding sex. And I think we have a very base interpretation of what sex actually is.
I’d be honoured if you would suggest me for the Swarthmore Lecture. And ha! Yes indeed I would have to speak slower.
Thank you, Jonathon, and all the best to you.
Lucy x
Does love come into it?
Hi Philip! Yes, it certainly does.
Lucy Anne, thank you for being brave enough to want to tell your story. I think it is fascisinating. Even as a Heterosexual man I think have a lot to learn from women like yourself. I am proud to support the book and hope its publication will inspire women to be more confident sexually and help them stand up for the respect they deserve. Good luck with the project. I truly think you are brilliant! Men can be such b*stards towards women but it doesn't have to be that way. What you are doing with this book and the No More Page 3 Campaign will, I hope, go a long way to rectifying the inequality and disrespect that is meated out on women. I, for one, don't feel this has any place in the 21st Century! I wish you all the good luck in the world. You are an inspirational woman! Sorry that is not a question and more a rambling comment!
oh wow, Eddie, I'm so touched by your kind post. Thank you :)
What's the chapter structure? Sort of thematic, or chronological, or pieces of advice?
Hi Veronica, Good question!! Currently it's mainly chronological, with the feel hopefully being of a friend telling you a story, but deviating off here and there for a rant or to impart some info. That is the plan I'm working with at this first draft stage anyway.
Alternative title - or sequel: Let Go of My Ears: I Know What I'm Doing
Ha! That is brilliant (sorry! just saw this!!)
Hi Lucy Anne, I write for BookMachine and I would love to interview you about your experience with Unbound. May I? All best, Norah
Hello Norah! If you are still keen I would love to do this! I have nearly finished a first daft of the book and am relaunching the campaign to get to 100% (and beyond) with Unbound.
You are my favourite author. Your rom-com books are all i need to make me laugh until i snort at any time in the day! You say things the way they are and it's something i've always failed to do. I'm a creative writing student (it's not what i want to be but it's something i've enjoyed) and you made me realise what kind of writer i want to be. You make things seem so real, in your books, and it makes me feel like there's someone who completely gets me. Sex is also something i've worried about, being a young adult, the expectations, insecurities, what's expected of me in this society and i know that once i read Don't Hold My Head Down, i'll have all the confidence i need, you make me feel better about myself and i know this isn't a question but i just needed to say thank you and good luck. You're bloody brilliant.
Hello Jade, I'm a bit speechless by your lovely post. Thank you so much. X
Hi Lucy-Anne, I'm studying Fashion Communication at Northumbria, I'm focusing my dissertation on 'Is Nudity Acceptable in Fashion Publications in 2015?' Examples of high end publications such as LOVE and Vogue which both use explicit nudity, in comparison to The Sun and Zoo...Do you think context has anything to do with how they 'get away' with it? You are so admirable, I would love your view! Thank you!
Hi Rebecca, So I am two years late in responding to this. I am so sorry! I hope the dissertation went well!
Hi Lucy - no question - just wanted to say good for you! Good for everyone! Jxxx
Hurrah to this! Thank you! X
Lucy I loved the sample chapter you shared. You are such an inspiration. Keep writing - the world needs you.
Ooo thank you! Feeling a bit warm and fuzzy now. X
Im writing an explicit memoir and am worried about violent/creepy/friend loss reactions, have you had any bad reactions?
Hi Maj! Luckily, no! Not yet at least. In fact I was just thinking earlier today how much I like discussing sex and sexuality and feel really privaleged how often people then share their experiences and vulnerabilities with me. Good luck with yours!
Hi Lucy-Anne I am another Unbound author and I came across your book by chance. I was really impressed by the video and have made a pledge. Hope to meet you some day. Good luck with everything, Henrietta https://unbound.com/books/magnificent-women
Hi Henrietta!! THANK YOU!! I admire yours too! All the best with it. Yes, it would be wonderful to meet. Perhaps Unbound could have an authors soiree!! (I will definitely be pledging for yours when I am a little richer, it is very much on my radar) x
Hi Lucy! About the alternative porn titles.... possibly but corny etc but things that come to mind (after giving it some thought!): - The Builder - His hands (suppose it could them be, his tongue, his..., etc!) - An awakening (hmmm I know, not terribly sexy!) Or the Rising? - The slow tease - The garden flat (!) (I don’t know, thinking could revolve round flat viewings and real Estate agents, who knows? Or maybe a female estate agent decides to seduce a couple viewing a flat... or they seduce her... but it would be property porn as well as actual porn?!) And right now I’m totally not envious of people who have to come up with these titles!
I can't believe I have only just seen these, Gwen! Thank you! Will see if it is not too late to submit them. Loving the property and actual porn fusion you have created here! x
Well done Lucy! The book should be in every Quaker Meeting's library! There would probably be fuss, but good and necessary! Continuing in the tradition of 'Towards a Quaker View of Sex'. (are you old enough to remember that? Slow progress.) I'm severely incapacitated now - https://lifesrichtradingblog.home.blog/ - and need 'intimate care' and I wish I had several friends who felt comfortable looking after me, just as part of everyday friendship - and sex could be a natural part of that.. As it is, there're so many inhibitions and taboos to get through. May I 'suggest your name' to the Swarthmore Lecture Committee? But you would have to speak more slowly!
Hello, fellow Quaker! Thanks so much for messaging. I will check out your blog. Yes, I hear you regarding the taboos and inhibitions regarding sex. And I think we have a very base interpretation of what sex actually is. I’d be honoured if you would suggest me for the Swarthmore Lecture. And ha! Yes indeed I would have to speak slower. Thank you, Jonathon, and all the best to you. Lucy x