All the usual suspects are in on this one; bleak visions of an oppressive future, a paramilitary force of ass-kicking hotties, and more cyber-punk mind controlling nasties than you can shake a steel tentacle at. Yet far from being a repetition of past ideas, XXX4 is a refined celebration of all the things that make a sara castle story great. There’s mass-quantities of mind control (three times fast), there’s love and betrayal and revenge, there’s girl-sex so hot it’ll melt your eyes right out of your friggin’ head.

I’m speaking ambiguously because I really don’t want to ruin any of the fine work she’s done crafting her narrative, but in the broad stokes, four women are in competition for a single position. They each have mind control tech, fancy weapons, and three women standing in their way. From there, sara does just delicious things with her characters; love, betrayal, see above for more.

The point is that’s its a ridiculously good story, its one of the hottest things you’ll ever read, and I am so glad I put off what I was supposed to be doing to read it. I recommend you do the same.

Congrats sara, you’ve really outdone yourself with this one (waves).

I’m working on some new manip material and desperately trying to return emails this evening; hopefully if I owe you correspondence, you’ll have something in your inbox soonish. I’m also doing some housekeeping on the site and trying to fix some broken things. Incidentally, the rss feed should be functional again.

Lastly, I had time earlier tonight to read a couple items from the new update at mcstories. Betrayal, by zorkmeister was quite good as was the always delicioius Jukebox with Play the Game. There’s still several I haven’t gotten to yet (including sara castle’s newest chapter to XXX4 which I’m dying to check out), but hopefully I’ll make up for lost time tomorrow night.

The announcement this week of the The Beatles Rock Band video game has me thinking about the greatest band that ever was and reminded me of a story I’ve been meaning to tell you all about the Beatles break-up and how some nefarious mind control may have played a part. But I’ll leave that as a tease for next time.

To those of you I owe an IM or email…I’m getting to them I promise, please bear with me a little longer. I’m actually way ahead of where I normally am in terms of workload this weekend, so I’m trying to squeeze in as much as possible while my inbox is mercifully empty. But now…time for a little fun.

I’ve been meaning to update my picks blog with some manips, but just haven’t had time to really check out all the new work being done at the Collective. After taking some time this morning to browse some of the latest uploads, I’m happy to say the ridiculously talented people there haven’t lost their touch. In no particular order, here’s the recent entries that caught my eye. Note: you will need a free account at the Hypnopics Collective Gallery in order to view these images.

First up is this nice bit of business from Scifiscribbler. I’ll probably be repeating this throughout, but the single most important step in manipping is choosing a good pic to start with. Personally, I’m drawn to pics that have some strange or unique quality, something not even necessarily mc-related, and I particularly like seeing the creativity that goes into spinning a non-obvious pic in an mc way. This piece also calls to mind a great story by 8-bit called Safeword, which I highly recommend.

Edwinracine is a Collective member who just recently began posting, but his work shows great promise. Again recalling my maxim on unique images, I really like the flavor of his work. His source material calls to mind corporate stock images, but twisted in a delightful way. His images contain no nudity, but are erotic nonetheless; an excellent study in less is more. Subtle, reserved, and innovative, I really like the direction this artist is going.

ooae10 likes voluptuousness and I don’t blame him/her at all. A casual glance at this artist’s gallery reveals a predilection for curvy and, refreshingly, natural women. ooae10′s work has a very classic feeling, as I’ve said before, and never fails to recall William Lee, Maddy Rose, and the other early legends of hypno-manipping that so influenced me. While the methods may vary, the theme running throughout this wonderful artist’s work is just how beautiful an entranced lady is.

My biggest problem with Jasmine is picking just one or two images from her extensive library to try and represent the broad range of her talent. While her images run the gamut from minimal and erotic to shocking and overt, her captions tie everything together in a style that is all her own. With a strong emphasis on BDSM, D/s, and humiliation there’s lots of fun fetishes accompanying the mind control in her work. Another artist who finds images I’d never think to use and spins them in a wickedly mc way.

While not trying to play favorites, I’ve got several pieces from this last artist to talk over. Although I’ve seen the name around the Collective, I’d not actually had an opportunity to check out SilverSurfer’s catalog before today and it was a very pleasant surprise to see such a talented artist with such a comprehensive gallery. A man after my own heart, there’s a bit of MD, FD, a nice selection of TTT, but the initial thing that drew me in was a gallery that contains a healthy selection of manip series, each presented as a Flash slideshow.

His work is wonderfully erotic and he makes use of graphic elements and special effects to great effect. Another artist with great source material, some of his work makes me just a bit jealous; I’d love to have a crack at some of his images. One series, that I’ve had filed away waiting for some inspiration, SilverSurfer has turned into a wonderful little spy-genre mc series. His story telling ability is obvious in these larger series and honestly I don’t think I would have done as good a job as he has. Its fantastic to see really good source material live up to its potential in the hands of a really good artist. SliverSurfer is definitely someone I’ll be looking forward to seeing more work from.

And speaking of manips…I’ve got a small animated series that I’ve had sitting on the shelf for a while now that I think I’ll finally be able to put up, so be on the look out for that later this week. Until then I hope you’re all doing well and I’ll see you (sooner rather than later this time).

Flibinite continues to deliver regular updates to her superheroine-in-peril saga Button Pusher. Since originally talking about this story in early January, Jo has added four more chapters to her tale; and every single one just keeps getting better. “Poor” Paragon just can’t get the nefarious Addiction out of her head, or stop trying to recapture the heat of being her prisoner. Fortunately, Paragon’s friend Vision has her back; but even she isn’t immune to the seductive supervillainess.

Jo has a touch all her own; and she frequently uses it to write the most scorching bonage/mc fiction imaginable. This series is no different. Her talent for living inside the head of a character during their submission is profound. Very few have Jo’s ability to chart the ebb and flow, moment to moment, as her protagonist slips ever closer to blissful servitude. And in case I didn’t make this clear; its some of the hottest mc-fiction you can even imagine. For myself, I cannot wait to see where things go next.

Tabico dropped in this past week with a new multi-part story that will blow your eyes clean out of your head (to paraphrase her). Although its her most recent, Blue would be an excellent introduction to Tabico’s catalog simply because its bristling with so many elements of her style. Ridiculously hot/intelligent protagonists, squick-a-licious tentacle creatures, and some familiar themes from her work really serve to make this latest entry one of her finest.

In my interview with Tabico, she spoke about how one of the hottest aspects of mc, for her, was a scenario wherein a character realizes “I shouldn’t want this…but I really, really do”. All the mind manipulation, steamy-girl-love, and squicky delight strongly reinforce this theme. Indeed, the struggle for her characters to resist their own desire to be seduced and enslaved is just one of the hottest things I’ve ever read.

If you like squick, if you enjoy the anticipation that a nice slow build gives a story, and if you’re ready to risk your precious eyes over some of the hottest mc-fiction in recent memory then evacuate Pompeii…the forecast is calling for red-hot-fire.

Keep the North-folk in your prayers and I’ll see you soon.

First up, I’d like to go to thrall, which I’d intended to do a couple weeks ago but I held off, wanting to read the final installments to Spy vs. Guy before I opined. When she first discussed her plans to write a James Bond-esque spy story where the protagonist gets topped by another guy, I was dubious. Not of her talent mind you, but of my reaction. I’m so uninterested in male-on-male erotica that I wasn’t sure if there’d really be anything for me to enjoy.

In the end, I knew I’d feel like a pretty piss-poor friend if I didn’t at least do her the courtesy of reading what she so kindly shared with all of us. So, determined to avoid the guilt-trip I knew I’d lay on myself, I dove in. And surprisingly enough, I really enjoyed it. Granted, for me, it doesn’t have the erotic heat her other work does, but thrall’s a great writer no matter what she’s doing and this story is no exception. In fact, I think her take on the actual brainwashing process in this story is absolutely one of the best in recent memory. The way Brick’s controllers use his ego, even his very sexuality against him, bit-by-bit chipping away at his mental defenses; its one of the best concoctions thrall has delivered to date.

So, if you’re at all open to the experience, I heartily recommend you check it out. Even if this is the first and only time you ever read a M/m story, I think it will be well worth your while.

Next up let’s have a look at one of Jukebox’s recent entries: Once Bitten, Twice Shy. I say one of, as Jukebox is rapidly becoming one of the most prolific authors on the Archive. This one however was really a gem for me. Poor Darla, marches up to Jane’s hotel room to reclaim her dignity (and vampire-domme status) after she slips under Jane’s hypnotic control in a brief moment of weakness. Of course, Darla knows how much she enjoyed herself the first time and Jane is all too eager to remind her and…well you can imagine where things go from here.

Its a really excellent tale, full of playful trance-banter, spicy-hot-eroticism, and a healthy dose of fun. Just one of the more recent entries in this fine, fine author’s catalog.

softi has really become one of my absolute favorite authors as of late. A glance at softi’s author page shows a diverse catalog full of devious mc scenarios and wicked prose to go with it. I really can’t recommend enough that you spend some time going through his/her work, I think you’ll find plenty to enjoy.

Perfect centers around a delightfully naughty female protagonist who possesses an unnatural talent for nudging people into giving her what she wants. With her sights set on her most recent conquest, she discovers why they say if its too good to be true, it probably is. I cannot underestimate how molten hot this story is. I tend to gravitate towards stories that take place in the sub’s head because it seems so much easier to communicate the eroticism of control from there. With this superb tale, sofit has, happily, changed my mind. Seeing events play out from inside her domme’s head, seeing how sexy that same submission can be when witnessed by the one causing it…why are you still here? Go…read!

Well, I’m only half way through my list and this is already one of the longest picks blogs I’ve done. So, I think I’ll split it up into two parts for easier digestion. See you all back here tomorrow.

Softi checks in this week with the wonderful Control. In this delightful tease, Kate’s struggle with her captors quickly becomes a struggle with herself as she fights to resist the devastating pleasure her kidnappers are using to control her. I call this a tease not because it doesn’t deliver the goods but because there’s more of this tale on the way and personally, I can’t wait to see what happens next.

And speaking of anticipatory expressions, that is the namesake of our next tale: I Can’t Wait. A joint effort from Jukebox and Lady Ru’etha, this tale of joy and submission is told through a series of forum postings and private messages. Its an exceptional device used to great effect here, creating the written equivalent of a fictional documentary-style film.

Everything about these entries feels authentic (and should given the authors’ real-life involvement in erotic hypno) right down to the quirky usernames; if only they could have included avatars the illusion would be perfect! That however in no-way detracts from this magnificent story; one of the finest and most unique in recent memory.

Anyone who knows me or reads here often knows that trilby else is a big deal for me. A cornerstone of mc fiction, his work has been enormously influential on me and my own work. As such, its always like a mini-christmas when I see a new tale with his name beside it. And happily, this week he’s picked up a previous thread, adding a sixth part to his ongoing series Outcall. Jaden, a high-class escort whose been hypnotized and enslaved by one of her female clients, continues to spiral (hee hee) further into Fiona’s control; as she learns just how deep she is and that there’s nothing she won’t do to please her owner.

Trilby, as always, paints with the subtle touch of a master. The artistry of his stories lies in his ability to eroticize mind control itself, rather than the consequences of mind control. Trilby has an uncanny knack for portraying the headspace of his characters; seeing the mental hooks and loops that keep them endlessly cycling in pleasure and submission. The only downside is having to wait till another update to find out what happens next…

That’s all I have time for today, thought I haven’t yet covered everything or everyone (sorry thrall) I want to. I will be back soon with more picks, more pics, and more prose. Until then everyone stay warm.

See you soon.

If she’ll forgive me the crude analogy, Flibinite is a bit like a bartender mixing a cocktail of superheroes, constriction, aromatic-eroticism, and mc that (like any correlating beverage) will put you on your backside, wondering what happened, and thrirsty for more. Ham-fisted simile aside, Button Pusher is filled with all the delightful trappings of Flibinite’s work; heat, humor, and a molten-hot supervillianess to tempt and torment her “poor” heroine. Jo leaves the door wide open for more fun so if we’re all very lucky this may be just the first in many installments to follow.

If you’re not reading thrall’s blog…well slap yourself for not reading her blog. Beyond that, one of the authors she’s been talking about lately is Jukebox who, I’m sorry to say, I’m not nearly as familiar with as I should be. So, taking her reccomendation, I checked out Jukedbox’s superb addition to this week’s update: Two Tickets to Paradise . I must say thrall (as usual) was right: Its a fantastic story; a simmering build of erotic heat full of mystery and molten possibilities. If you’re down with squick, you don’t want to pass this one up.

Hope everyone had a great weekend, I’m prepping another post for this week with some work-in-progress stuff that I think you’ll enjoy. Until then…

Next up is a story that’s been on the EMCSA for a while but its become one of my favs and I’d like to show it a little love. In Chris Chris’ tale of solitary submission, Place Your Hands on the Grips, Jessica struggles against the mind-control “sex toy” she’s plugged herself up to, realizing only too late its much more real and dangerous than any of her mc fantasies. She resists but, of course, fantasizing about being brainwashed and enslaved is what put her in this situation to start with and where the story goes from there is every bit as molten hot as you’re imagining right now. Go…read. You won’t be sorry.

This next one might seem a bit self-serving but blogging is a business of lies and self-promotion (just like show business). Thrall has posted Ethna Redux, the story she mentioned in our recent interview and I’m here to say, its a great read. Filled with all the great twists and turns one would expect from her work, Ethna also delivers on thrall’s promise to play nice with her male protagonist this time. Of course, when there’s winged-tricksters involved “nice” is a relative term, but I don’t think Lord Kerovan is in any position to complain. Its another great tale, from one of the finest authors we have: red-hot, humorous, and even a little romantic.

And speaking of thrall, I need to give credit here for her recent post which announced the return of another mc-fiction heavyweight: Sara H. Sara, as you may know, has been away for a while and requested her stories be pulled from the Archive. She’s recently returned and her catalog as been reinstated at the EMCSA.

This is the fourth time I’ve started this paragraph, trying to figure out how to say what I really want to say… I’ll settle by simply telling you that Sara is one of the finest authors to ever grace mcstories.com and that her work was particularly integral to me picking up photo manipping. Sara was, in fact, the very first author I ever worked up the nerve to email and one of my very early manips, Training CD’s, featured a little shout-out to one of my fav stories from her: Harmonic Conversion II – House O’ Wrist. I guess want I want to say is that I’m really glad she’s back, and I’ll leave it at that.

So, in closing, I hope everyone has a happy Christmas, a spectacular New Year, and if you don’t celebrate one or both of those festivities then I’ll wish you a wonderful holiday, whatever it may be. And if you’ll permit me to interrupt your live television broadcast and do my best Bill Murray impression: FAH LA LA LA LAAAAA LA LA LA LAAAAAAaaaaaaAAAAAAA!

I love you all, see you next time.

benmbedlam posted his first set of manips to the Collective at the beginning of May and has been steadily adding to his catalog ever since. His work is fanciful, sometimes playful, always erotic, always unique. He’s an artist that definitely knows his way around Photoshop and it shows his work. However, he’s also an artist who understands subtlety, indeed his wonderful piece Away with the Fairys will actively have you searching for the manipulation he’s so carefully layered in. Yet another promising new talent among the ranks of the Collective’s already accomplished roster.

Jasmine recently updated her already considerable catalog with five molten-hot new manips. Jasmine selects the most wonderful source images for her work: full of eroticism and innuendo. Expect to find yourself feeling tingly before you even start reading her amazing captions. But whatever you do, make sure you do read them for Jasmine is a true story teller, accomplishing in a few hundred words what many authors only wish they could do in several thousand. Her manips are tantalizing, erotic, and most of all hot-hot-hot-hot-hot. Mind control fetish fun at its finest (three times fast).

Hypme posted a big update at the end of May as well as a couple of new pieces this week. Normally, it wouldn’t bother me that she’s so productive, but the fact that her manips are so damn good in addition to the fact that she’s one of the most prolific manip artists around…well I suppose if you’re going to be jealous of anyone you couldn’t do much better than Hypme. Truly one of the greats in our community.

So I’m back. Where have I been you may ask? Good question. When I figure it out I’ll let you know. I wish I could just chalk it up to being busy, but truthfully I think I needed to take a break from things for a while. I needed to get focused again, find my ambition, my motivation, my passion, whatever you call it. Point is, I’m back now. Rehabilitated, reinvigorated, reassimilated, and soon to be relocated: to paraphrase a much cooler man than myself.

Updates are on their way, shouldn’t be long now. But until then, check out some of the fine work of these folks. It’ll be worth your time, I promise.

Fiction:

Several really strong updates at the EMCSA over the last few weeks. First up is the recent (and first) contribution by author Chrystal Wynd. Updated this week with its final chapter, Countermove is the tale of a headstrong erotic-female-wrestling star as she struggles with her selfish nature, destructive past, and seemingly inescapable enslavement at the hands of her greatest foe. If the premise seems kitschy, I assure you the writing is not. Between the fight-drama, the wanton mind control, and the constant erotic heat, Chrystal Wynd has crafted a wonderful and thoroughly engaging story.

Better sit down for this next one: thrall has a new story out this week! One of the finest authors in the scene is back with Queen Bee Becomes a Drone: a ridiculously hot tale of an internet-porn sensation who finds herself really getting into her submissive role during a photo shoot at a seductive and mysterious woman’s home. Thrall gives us a teasing glimpse into her process in the liner notes, and after looking up the two models she mentions, I had a wonderful time imagining what sort of things must have been rolling around in her head as she rendered this latest tale. If you find yourself getting all hot and bothered for mind control, latex, and fetish imagery right out of an Andrew Blake film, then don’t pass this one up.

Though avid readers of the MC Forum may have already seen this one, don’t pass up the chance to read (or re-read) Flibinite’s latest addition to the EMCSA. What’s in a Name? is full of the mind control, bondage, and molten girl-on-girl sex that we’ve all come to love from Jo. Revised and retooled for 2008, check this tale out and then do yourself a favor and do a search for “Flibinite” on either the Garden or the Forum. With Jo’s name in the search field, one has only to click a link to find another great piece of mc-fiction.

Sara Castle made several big contributions to a couple of her best series in recent weeks. Sara cut loose with a new chapter to her wonderful (and way hot) Augmentation, which continues the series’ trend by ping-ponging back into the past and picking up with an earlier adventure of Jill & Saphron: who are joined this time by Allyson and her yummy psychic blades (mmmm). Sara also posted the conclusion to her amazing epic A Touch of Frost. I’m not going to spoil the ending, but as someone who considers themselves a writer, I wish I had a fraction of sara’s imagination for final chapters. A perfect end for one the best tales in her catalog.

Photo-Manips:

Lots of good stuff recently from ooae10, he’s been mentioned before here, but his work is always something I’m on the lookout for. Simple, elegant and the very definition of erotic heat: Check his stuff out.

Anaximanes recently de-lurked and posted some of his fantastic manip work. His stuff reveals a long history with photoshop and a great eye for layout and color. Lots of fx work and some great captions round out a welcome addition to the Collective’s roster. Hoping to see more form him soon.

TeraS put out a fantastic new series last week, based on the Mission: Impossible show. Tera always has a knack for finding the best source images and this update was no exception. Fun, creative, and full of the red-hot-flavor, that is the signature style of our resident Queen Succubi. Happy birthday devil woman.

That’s all folks. Check out these artists and authors and please, if you like their work, take a moment to drop them an email and let them know. When people don’t feel appreciated then end up on reality tv. Don’t let that happen to someone you love.

I’m out.