A new magazine has revealed itself (ahem), and it looks like those who weren't at the launch missed one heck of a party.

Up & Coming describes itself as "a quarterly erotic art and lifestyle magazine featuring mostly cerebral, entirely tasteful essays, photo spreads, and fine smut for adults."


Up & Coming held its opening celebration at Oasis Aqua Lounge, "an up-scale sex club" in the city. Some major Toronto media outlets attended the party — read the recaps from Torontoist and The Grid. [Warning: Be careful if viewing at work].  

Mike Feswick is the man behind the new publication. "We explore sexuality through art of all kinds without discrimination," he said about the mag in an email. "Up & Coming is a platform for writers, painters, photographers and others to share their perspectives and create a discussion, at the same time stimulating both the mind and the libido of its readers."

She Does the City [Toronto style, fashion, gossip, nightlife, parties, sex and food for women] conversed with Feswick prior to the launch, and noted he got the idea for Up & Coming "on the beaches of Barbados" where he apparently once lived and worked as a fashion photographer.

The magazine is offered in print ($9.99) at select stores in Toronto including Good For Her, Come As You Are, Miss B'Havin (with more vendors to come). A subscription will also be available for the remaining three issues of the quarterly (no price info yet available). The publication is also electronic, to be available as a PDF for $5 through the mag's website [where there's also a preview of issue #1].

The first issue features work of well-known Canadian photographer and filmmaker Bruce LaBruce, while the publication is accepting submissions from readers for future editions. "We are looking for anything from erotica to pornography as long as it is intelligent, artistic and tasteful," notes the website. "We also accept any essays, interviews, smut, poetry, or any other creative writing with erotic or sexual topics, themes or subject matter."

If you're so inclined, submissions can be sent to upandcomingmagazine@gmail.com.