RIP Alex Birch, a spanking writer and a gentleman

Haron writes:

In my online spanking life, there are things that have always been there. There’s always been Laura’s Spanking Corner; there’s always been soc.sexuality.spanking newsgroup with its many wars and stories, and on the newsgroup there’s always been Alex. He was there with his spanking fiction, sizzling hot and clever, and with his political opinions; and his debates. When the world drifted to the blogosphere, he started A Taste of the Birch: one of the first I’ve ever read. We argued and disagreed about many things, but he taught me many more.

The world wakes today without Alex in it.

I don’t know how it can be true, because his virtual presence is everywhere. It seems wrong that I can’t reach out and talk to him any more, like we always have. It’s a strange world, and sad.

Rest in peace, my mentor and friend.


Abel writes:

I’m incredibly sad this morning. I heard the news of Alex’s passing last night, just before going to bed, in an email that a friend of his kindly sent to me sharing the bad news. I’ve just been reading Mija’s wonderful, moving post on the soc.sexuality.spanking newsgroup and the various replies and tributes there. Have no doubt: the online spanking community has lost one of its foremost figures.

I’d known Alex for a long, long time: almost a decade, I’d guess. We’d swapped so many notes. His tastes in spanking erotica and mine seemed to coincide almost precisely. He was one of the first people to comment on my stories – generous in his feedback, constructive in his suggestions. I owe a lot to him as a writer, for giving me confidence and for helping me to refine and improve. Praise on a story from Alex was praise indeed!

And then there was his own writing – so many excellent stories – as well as his blog and the various forums he ran and contributed to. His “Corporal Punishment in History” series, featured in one of our annual collections of ‘The Best of the Kinky Rest’, remains one of my very favourite series of posts on any spanking blog.  He put so much into our spanking community, and in doing so must have brought so many people such pleasure.

Sadly, despite our lengthy correspondence, we never did manage to meet in person. We’d been planning to do so, despite his illness, but my last note to him with that list of dates for our long-awaited coffee will sadly never receive a reply. But online friends really are friends, just as much as those we know in person. I’ll miss you, Alex. Greatly.

16 thoughts on “RIP Alex Birch, a spanking writer and a gentleman

  • 26 February, 2010 at 11:00 am
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    This is indeed very sad news. Although I have never met Alex in real life, I have long been an avid reader of ‘A Taste of The Birch’ and have corresponded with Alex over the course of the last few years. As you so rightly say, he was a true ‘old-school’ gentleman and would always offer friendly support and advice on writing spanking fiction, which he did so well and I did so badly.

    I was aware that he had undergone several quite invasive surgical procedures recently, but I honestly thought he was on the way to recovery; when his blog wasn’t updated after the most recent installment of ‘Mrs Birch’, and remained so for such a long time, I sent him an email asking after his health; unfortunately this will never be answered now.

    It is sad to see such an aficionado of CP finally lay aside his cane and his pen; I’m sure I speak for many when I say he will be sadly missed, and that our shared interest is the poorer for his passing

    Thank you, Abel, for bringing this news to us, sad as it is.

    Requiescat in Pace, Alex.

    Reply
  • 26 February, 2010 at 11:50 am
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    Incredibly sad news, he will be missed so much by so many

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  • 26 February, 2010 at 1:45 pm
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    Alex will indeed be missed. Lovely words from both of you.

    And Abel, you’re right: internet friends really are friends.

    Reply
  • 26 February, 2010 at 4:52 pm
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    I would like to add that the passing of Alex Birch, is a sad day for all of us ‘spanking enthusiasts’. His spanking stories, were a delight to read. Yes as he looks down upon us, I am sure he is saying “Have a spanking good time folks. And maybe one day, I’ll meet you all for a wonderful reunion. Thank you one and all. Spanks for the memories.”

    Reply
  • 26 February, 2010 at 7:39 pm
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    Oh, this is sad news. Way back, I remember Alex from the Soc.Sex.Spanking newsgroup where he commented on my first story efforts. His advice and encouragement was a gift that still brings a smile and was a thing I shall now cherish even more.

    The spankblogosphere has lost one of it’s leading lights.

    RIP Alex. With fond memories….

    Reply
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  • 27 February, 2010 at 2:05 am
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    What a lovely tribute to a fine friend, Haron and Abel.

    I am so saddened to learn of Alex’s passing. Alex was a fine writer and, as you said Abel, generous with his time and advice to other writers. Over the years we were in infrequent contact, but he always had kind words for my writing and good advice. He will definitely be missed.

    EM

    Reply
  • 27 February, 2010 at 6:37 pm
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    Very very sad…. :(

    and there was I – just getting grumpy that chapter 15 was a long time coming…

    Rest in Peace Alex. There are many of us who will remember you.

    Reply
  • 3 March, 2010 at 7:19 pm
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    Sad to see this news, though I did not know Alex like you folks did – I had exchanged only an occasional email, but like you had an impression of a considerate and kindly gentleman.

    At the risk of sounding crass at this time, may I hope that A taste of the Birch will survive on the web as a memorial of him? I don’t know enough about technology to have any idea how likely/easy/straightforward or otherwise this may be, but there are some great stories there….

    Ernest

    Reply
  • 7 March, 2010 at 12:00 am
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    Very sad to read this news on the vintage erotica forums. I enjoyed his blog very, very much and his gift.

    @notherspanko

    Reply
  • 16 April, 2010 at 1:35 am
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    I hadn’t heard about Alex’s death until today. I’m currently browsing your older blog posts because I hadn’t been here for a while.

    It is sad news indeed. I knew Alex’s blog, “A Taste of the Birch”. I can’t claim that it was one of the ones I read regularly (far too many blogs out there, far too little time), but I visited occasionally and I liked what he was doing. I’m very sad to hear that he is no longer with us.

    A nice tribute from you two.

    Reply
  • 17 April, 2010 at 7:11 am
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    @Ludwig – he’s certainly not forgotten. Haron and I were talking at one point last week about friends who are great writers, and suddenly realised that one of the best is no longer with us :-(

    Reply
  • 28 April, 2010 at 12:16 am
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    I always find it sad to hear that someone has passed from this world. My thoughts and prayers are with all who have lost a dear friend and mentor. God bless all who are missing him this sad day.

    May he continue to live through the memories of all who knew and loved him.

    I must say that I agree with what Abel said about online friends. Some of my best friends have been online ones.

    Even though I did not know Alex myself, my heart goes out to all of you who did. May God bless and comfort all of you in this time of sadness.

    Reply
  • 23 September, 2010 at 5:36 am
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    Alex bravely told us of his illness and I had the “The Taste of Birch” as one of my favourites. I feared the worst when the blog closed down.

    Love and sympathy to his family and to those who knew him personally. I will keep a non-working favourite as a small memory to someone who provided so much to the community.

    It is a pity that there was no way to keep the blog online as a memorial as so much hard work went into setting up such a brilliant archive.

    Farewell Alex and thanks

    Reply

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