Sex and Swiping: A Dual Book Launch

Join us on Thursday, May 16 at 6 p.m. for a fascinating evening of sex talk! We’ll be joined by sociologist Tina Fetner and anthropologist Treena Orchard, authors of two brand-new books on the subjects. The night will be moderated by author Mandy Len Catron.

Expect readings, Q&As, and some fun giveaways!

Tina Fetner’s book, Sex in Canada: The Who, Why, When and How of Getting Down Up North, pulls the covers off Canadians’ sex lives, examining what we do, how often, and with whom. It reveals Canadians’ sexual behaviour using a one-of-a-kind social science survey and gives us a glimpse into our bedrooms, breaking through myths about our sexuality with frank talk, solid data, and a sense of humour.

Treena Orchard’s book, Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture and the Darker Side of Dating Apps, is a memoir of online dating. It draws on Orchard’s skills as an anthropologist who studies sexuality, and her experience as a sex-positive feminist, to explore what it feels like to want love while also resisting the addictive pull of platforms designed to make us swipe-dependent. It is a riveting and inspiring guide to staying true to ourselves amid the digitization of love in the 21st century.

Books will be available for purchase and signing. This is a free event, but please register for your spot on this Eventbrite, as capacity is limited.

About the authors:

Tina Fetner is professor of sociology at McMaster University. She is the author of How the Religious Right Shaped Lesbian and Gay Activism.

Treena Orchard is an anthropologist and associate professor in the School of Health Studies at Western University. She researches and engages in activist debates about sexuality, gender, and health among diverse cultural and digital communities. Deeply committed to public scholarship, she regularly writes for and is featured in leading online publications, including Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, and The Conversation.

About the moderator:

Mandy Len Catron is the author of the critically acclaimed essay collection How to Fall in Love with Anyone. The book was listed for the 2018 RBC Taylor Prize and the Kobo Emerging Writer Award. Her writing can be found in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, The Rumpus, Catapult, and The Walrus as well as other newspapers, literary journals, and anthologies. Her essays and talks have been translated into more than 30 languages. You can find her newsletter on loneliness and belonging at The Loneliness Project on Substack. She is a faculty member in the School of Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia.

More about Upstart & Crow:

Located on Granville Island, Upstart & Crow is a literary arts studio for curious readers and creative storytellers alike. We are international in our outlook, and local in our sensibilities. We create opportunities to surface new talent and champion bold ideas through events, workshops, literary launches, unique partnerships — and yes, we also sell books!

Health precautions:

We want this event to be safe for all. Masks are welcome, though we won’t enforce them. We hope that folks who come will be vaccinated and boosted and will stay home if they feel ill.

Accessibility:

The main studio of our shop is accessible for folks with mobility aids. There is a washroom on the main floor available for attendees.

Questions: [email protected].

Event Venue

Upstart & Crow, 1387 Railspur Alley, Vancouver, Canada