Polyamory and open relationships have been practiced in many ways and different forms over the years, but the subject has not had much writing or resources until recently. Here are a few resources I suggest looking into if you are interested in polyamory or ethically open relationships.
Polyamory Weekly – Podcast
Cunning Minx and guests explore many aspects of Polyamory and open relationships of various styles. Exploring skill, issues, concerns, challenges, success, and more on this long running podcast. From the Polyamory Weekly site “Minx created the podcast as a resource for the poly and poly-curious to form a community, share experiences and help guide each other on their journeys of poly exploration. And hopefully, also guide each other away from common relationship land mines–or at least share sympathy when they step on one.” It can be found at polyweekly.com. Minx has also written the book Eight Things I Wish I’d Known About Polyamory: Before I Tried It and Frakked It Up.
The Ethical Slut
The Ethical Slut is a highly regarded book on the ethics and practical knowledge of Polymory and Open Relationships. Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy second edition of The Ethical Slut goes over the skills necessary and discusses the various stereotypes of Open Relationships. You can find The Ethical Slut here.
More Than Two
Franklin Veaux and Eve Rickert have written a modern guide to Polyamory. More Than Two is full of both practical exercises and skills useful to many types of relationships. The book’s initial focus is the ethical treatment of others and creating a strong foundation in a relationship. Then the book examines the rules, structures, and types of relationships. An interesting thing is that each chapter ends with a small set of questions to apply to the readers own relationship. You can find More Than Two: A practical guide to ethical polyamory here.
Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships
Sex educator and author Tristan Taormino put together a fantastic book on open relationships. What sets Opening Up apart, is that in writing the book Tristan interviewed over a hundred people from various races, ages, and styles of open relationships. This journalistic approach shows that people approach non-monogamy from a variety of different perspectives. The later segments of the book teach practical skills and the importance of “Owning your feelings”. The quotes and stories from the many people who were interviewed add to the writing and highlight different voices in non-monogamy. You can find Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships here.