A seasoned pro, Polly Frost insists Happy Hour is the best time to schedule seated readings of her erotic works, to coincide with the arrival of the after-work crowd.

"We've done it in bars, art galleries. [Recently] we did it in an upscale sex toy store in Chicago," she said of the nontraditional venues picked for her latest work, "Sex Scenes." "We were [simulating] orgasms and having a blast with it. Afterward, we were told we really blew away Meg Ryan in 'When Harry Met Sally.' "

Based in New York, the former journalist co-writes comedy and erotica with her husband, Ray Sawhill. Her new book of supernatural erotica, "Deep Inside: Extreme Erotic Fantasies," will be released by Tor Books May 29. She teaches erotic writing and co-writes a Web series, "The Fold," which will be adapted into an independent film this summer.

In "Sex Scenes," six New York actors (including Kelli Brisbane, originally from Greensburg) get frisky during fully clothed seated readings. The show originated and developed at Greenwich Village's Cornelia Street Cafe, the venue that gave birth to Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Chronicles." Pittsburghers get a free peek at "Sex Scenes" tomorrow at East Liberty's Shadow Lounge.

"We get people who don't go to literary readings all the time, and people who do," said Frost. "In New York, there's a certain audience that goes to these things. It encompasses people who might go to a burlesque show or rock concerts or poetry readings. We consider this a cross between a theatrical reading -- where the actors would move around -- and a seated reading."

Communication is empowerment, and Frost says she considers herself a feminist. "But I don't know what that means anymore." Mostly, Frost says she hopes her erotica readings provide a way for people to share her kind of stories.

"It's something that doesn't have to happen only behind closed doors," she said. "It's not sexual activity, it's hearing someone read about it. ... I have to say, I really like when we have a broad audience -- gay, straight, single women, couples, various [adult] age groups. The idea that people can be sexually active only when they're gorgeous and have had plastic surgery is just crazy."

"Sex Scenes" will be at Shadow Lounge, 5972 Baum Blvd., East Liberty, at 7 p.m. tomorrow. Those attending must be 18 and older; 412-363-8277.