The Big Book of Submission Volume 2 call for submissions extended

I've decided to extend my call for submissions for The Big Book of Submission Volume 2. If you've already submitted, rest assured your story is under consideration. If you submitted two stories, please do not submit any more, but if you submitted one, you are welcome to submit another one.

I'm adding to the original call below, which is still valid, but right now what I am especially looking for are: stories starring people of color, stories about BDSM and submission in creative settings (especially outside bedrooms and dungeons), stories about people new to BDSM, especially stories about new dominants (but told from the submissive's perspective), stories about less common fetishes, and stories in which submission is used as a tool of personal growth and/or empowerment. Yes, some of these are a lot for a 1,200 word or less story to do, but I have faith that writers can dazzle me with their stories, and I especially encourage those whose work I've never published before to submit. All stories received by the new deadline of February 15, 2017 (11:59 pm EST) will be considered.

Call for submissions
The Big Book of Submission Volume 2 (working title)
Edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel
To be published by Cleis Press in 2018

Please make sure to read and follow these guidelines in order for your work to be considered. Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel is looking for short erotica stories of 1,200 words or less focused on the theme of submission within BDSM. Stories submitted that are over 1,200 words will be rejected. While the word count is short, I want complex stories with a beginning, middle and end, not simply scene snippets.

I will consider stories from a dominant's perspective if that is the best way to illuminate the mindset of the submissive, but they must explore what the submissive gets out of the scenario in some way. The final book of 69 stories will contain an extremely wide variety of characters, POVs (I welcome first, second and third person stories), settings, scenarios, motivations, experience levels, motivations, BDSM practices (which can be combined with other sexual acts), fetishes, couplings, relationships, etc. I welcome the use of sex toys and BDSM implements, real or imagined. All genders and sexual orientations welcome.

All characters must be over 18 for the entirety of the story; no nonconsensual activity, scat, incest or bestiality. No poetry. Original, unpublished stories only. Stories from authors whose work I have not published before are especially welcome. See The Big Book of Submission to get a feel for the types of short submissive erotica I enjoy. Please note that this anthology will not include author bios.

How to submit: Send double spaced Times or Times New Roman 12 point black font Word document (.doc or .docx) with pages numbered OR RTF of 1,200 words maximum to bigbookofsubmission@gmail.com. Stories that are not in keeping with the theme of the anthology or are over 1,200 words will not be considered. DO NOT submit multiple versions of a single story; submit ONLY your final, complete, edited version of your story with the story title and byline you'd want published. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) required. I will consider a maximum of two stories per author. Include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable), mailing address. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you’d like to be credited as (such as Jane Doe, writing as Ann Smith). You will receive a confirmation within 72 hours. I will get back to you by September 30, 2017.

Payment: $25 and 1 copy of the book on publication in 2018

Deadline: February 15, 2017, 11:59 pm eST

My Los Angeles and LitReactor erotica classes are almost sold out

January 20 update: The 4-6 pm erotica writing class on January 29 is now sold out BUT The Ripped Bodice has added a waiting list for those interested in a class that day from 1 pm to 3 pm. Pre-registration is required and if enough people sign up, we will hold a second class. If they don't, you will receive a refund. Call the store at 424-603-4776 if you have any questions. Also, they will have both volumes of Best Women's Erotica of the Year in stock, along with several of my other titles, and the books I recommend in my handout for the class. Looking forward to it!

A heads up that my upcoming in-person erotica writing class at romance bookstore The Ripped Bodice in Culver City, California (Los Angeles) area and my 4-week online erotica writing class for LitReactor are almost sold out. As of this posting, on January 19, there is one spot left in The Ripped Bodice class (out of 20 - we can't add more due to space) and four in the LitReactor class, which is capped at 16 to make sure everyone gets the individual attention they deserve. The LitReactor class can be taken by anyone anywhere in the world, on your schedule. You log in whenever you want and read the daily posts and weekly lectures and assignments, and give and get feedback on your work. Plus you retain access to those materials forever on the site and get an invitation to my private online group for students to continue the conversation, find beta readers and stay informed of publishing news. If you've been considering these, please act fast! I won't be teaching the LitReactor class again due to changes in my schedule.

And if you don't make it into The Ripped Bodice class, feel free to ask me anything about writing, publishing and the erotic genre during the Q&A; at our free, no-RSVP-required Best Women's Erotica of the Year reading on January 31 at 7:30 pm at Skylight Books in LA (Los Feliz). If you have questions about either class, email me at rachelkramerbussel at gmail.com with "Ripped Bodice" or "LitReactor" in the subject line and I'll get back to you ASAP.

Class details:

January 29, 4-6 pm
Erotica Writing 101 workshop Rachel Kramer Bussel, professional erotica author and editor of over 60 erotica anthologies, including Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 and 2, Begging for It: Erotic Fantasies for Women, Cheeky Spanking Stories, Tasting Him, Tasting Her, Come Again: Sex Toy Erotica, The Big Book of Orgasms, Fast Girls, Gotta Have It, and more, will take you through the ins and outs of modern erotic writing. Learn how to get started, find your voice, experiment on the page and write from various viewpoints. You'll discover how to incorporate everyday scenarios, settings and objects as well as outlandish fantasies into your writing, and make them fit for particular publications including magazines and anthologies. She'll also talk about submitting your work, selecting a pseudonym, building your author brand and keeping up with the thriving erotica market (including anthologies, ebooks, magazines and websites). Whether you're writing to that special someone, penning longtime fantasies, or want to earn cash for your dirty words, this workshop is for you. Please bring paper or writing implements or a laptop to use for in class writing exercises. A bibliography with erotica resources will be provided. $25/person. Limited to 20 people. Contact The Ripped Bodice at 424-603-4776 if you have any questions. Advance registration at erotica101rippedbodice.brownpapertickets.com required. $25/person
The Ripped Bodice, 3806 Main Street, Culver City, CA, 90232, 424-603-4776



Online only class limited to 16 people; attend any time, using any username you desire (you can be anonymous) and get critiqued by me and fellow students and receive guidance about publishing your work. You'll learn how to draw on your surroundings, incorporate humor and heartache, approach stories from multiple POVs and heighten the erotic tension in your work. You'll also get access to exactly what editors and publishers are currently looking for based on my research, as well as additional information on publishing short story collections, editing anthologies and self-publishing. Click through for more details about class assignments and goals. $375/person. This class is likely to sell out.

Sale alert: 69 orgasm erotica stories for $1.99 in The Big Book of Orgasms this week only!

One of my favorite anthologies I've edited over the last 12 years is The Big Book of Orgasms: 69 Sexy Stories. It holds a very special place in my heart because the authors truly brought their A game and gave me everything I could have wanted and more. The orgasm erotica in this book is sexy, varied, surprising and extremely creative. I like to think it has a little something for everyone and this week it's only sale in ebook form for only $1.99 for Kindle, Nook, Google Play, iBooks and Kobo, so if you missed it the first time around, check it out now! And if you are an audiobook lover, check out the audio edition narrated by Rose Caraway. (Tip: if you buy the Kindle edition for $1.99, you can buy the audio edition for just $3.99.) Also, y books go on sale usually once or two a month (different titles), and you can get emailed every time they do by following me on BookBub.



Here's the book's official blurb and table of contents to give you more of an idea of what's in it:

What happens when you bring together 69 authors sharing their hottest orgasm stories? If you have top notch erotica editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, you get The Big Book of Orgasms! This climactic collection captures top erotica writers serving up steamy scenarios all focused on The Big O. Whether getting off from exhibitionism, voyeurism, or a very special pair of blue jeans, the characters in The Big Book of Orgasms explore all sorts of ways they can come. Go "Under the Table" with Elizabeth Coldwell and cheer for "The Pink Team" by Kelly Rand. Discover the thrill of hot wax and even hotter sex; these short stories bring the heat on every page! With a foreword by Ecstasy is Necessary author Barbara Carrellas, these are climaxes you'll want to relive again and again.

Dr. Ruth once said about Rachel Kramer Bussel, "she is only satisfied if you come and come again." With this rousing read, The Big Book of Orgasms counts all the wonderful ways women get off.

Introduction and Table of Contents to The Big Book of Orgasms

Foreword: Foreplay: Figments of Erotic Imagination by Barbara Carrellas
Introduction: Orgasm Is Just the Beginning

The Beginning B. D. Swain
How You Christen a Bed Thomas S. Roche
All You Do Is Play Annabeth Leong
Hard Knocks Malin James
The Gallery Exhibit Chris Komodo
White Preston Avery
Matinee Suleikha Snyder
All Talk Jenna Bright
Scarecrow Giselle Renarde
In Her Hands Tenille Brown
Remote Control Logan Zachary
Weathering the Storm Salome Wilde
Hellfire Valerie Alexander
Her Lover Is a Flame Cecilia Tan
Me Vengo! Mistress Kay
Count Out the Strokes Virgie Tovar
Steamy Tess Danesi
Payback Emerald
Come On Raziel Moore
The Pink Team Kelly Rand
Headache Sherry Reid
Pushing Boundaries on Public Transport Victoria Blisse
Runner’s High Sam Angioli
His Three Conditions Medea Mor
The Morning After David Salcido
Look at Yourself Maxine Marsh
Do It Again Sinclair Sexsmith
Under the Table Elizabeth Coldwell
Light Sleeper Mina Murray
The Big Cat Cecilia Duvalle
Opening Doors Thea Landen
Baxter’s Boy Xan West
Suds and a Two-Piece Bathing Suit Brantwijn Serrah
The Jeffrey Factor Stella Harris
Chains of Love Lily K. Cho
By the Beat T. Fox Dunham
Icing on the Cake Lula Lisbon
The Massage Lady Cheeky
Feast for the Senses Riley Shane
Squirt Evoë Thorne
Piano Man A. M. Hartnett
Out of Control Crystal Jordan
Tantric Home Dominic Santi
Queer for Mike Shane Allison
Meeting Cute Vanessa Madison
Cheryl Andreas Amsterdam
Beer and Orgasms Jeremy Edwards
Sullied Innocence Neve Black
The Rub Jon Fulton
The Park Elise Hepner
Coming Together: The Elusive Simultaneous Orgasm Jade Melisande
Meeting Myself Anya Levin
I Am Not Cruel J. Sinclaire
Cooling Agents Marina Saint
Seeing Is Believing Heidi Champa
The Velocity of Roaches Michael A. Gonzales
After the Funeral Jeanette Grey
There Sommer Marsden
Forced Orgasms Shoshanna Evers
Blue Jean Baby Eleanor Proctor
Learning Experience Kathleen Tudor
A Teachable Moment Walter Pratt
The Flogger Jade A. Waters
Book Lover Donna George Storey
Tied by Red Kay Jaybee
After Party Drew Griffiths
I’m on Fire Rachel Kramer Bussel
Should You Ever Be Allowed to Feel This Good? Lillian Ann Slugocki
The Final Challenge Heather Day

Orgasm Is Just the Beginning

As Barbara Carrellas writes, there are so many types of orgasms, more than any single book could cover, but within these pages, you will not only find numerous types of orgasms, as well as the varied characters who experience them, you will also discover different motivations for getting off. Some have a tried and true method, some are willing to take a chance on a new sexual practice—or partner. Some of these characters orgasm frequently; some are aching for the chance to share their body with another person. Some let their orgasms be controlled by a lover; some actively take control of their climaxes. “You amaze me,” the nameless protagonist of B.D. Swain’s opening story “The Beginning” proclaims. You—readers, authors, orgasmers—amaze me with your boundless sexual hunger and creativity. I’ve been writing and editing erotica for over a decade, but part of why it never gets old is because of the richness, diversity and nuance I find in the stories that come (no pun intended) my way. They fuel my own imagination and show me that I can always learn more about orgasm, about desire, about sex.

The format of 1,200 words or less means these are extremely short stories, but I hope you’ll find, like I did, that what they lack in length they make up for in hotness. As with my previous short-short anthology Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex, all the pieces you hold in your hand, even the shortest ones (“The Park,” by Elise Hepner, clocks in at 249 words; “Her Lover Is a Flame,” by Cecilia Tan, at 308) offer a snapshot of eroticism that draws you completely into its folds. You might consider each one a teaser, an appetizer, the beginning of a fantasy world you can place yourself into and choose your own orgasmic adventure as you consider where the story might go after the last word printed on the page. Sometimes less is more, and if these stories leave you wanting to see them continued, that’s a good thing. They are, like the narrative in Swain’s opener states, “just the beginning.” Very likely you’ll find a type of orgasm, a sex toy, a scenario, a position, or a fantasy you’d like to see represented here that may not be. If so, please write yours and continue the conversation. If your orgasm doesn’t look or feel the way these characters’ climaxes do, that’s perfectly okay. I want to see us expand the possibilities for pleasure, orgasmic and otherwise, not add to the umpteen ways we’re told we “should” orgasm or have sex. Just as a physical orgasm, however you define or experience that sensation, doesn’t define the end of a sexual encounter, a literary orgasm should not mean you are done interacting with the story. I’ve re-read these pieces, and the numerous submissions I received for this book, multiple times, and each read offers me something new to consider. I envision The Big Book of Orgasm as one you’ll want to revisit, to pick up and read aloud from your favorites to a lover, to keep next to your bed, to tuck into your travel bag.

I’m especially pleased to be publishing so many authors in this collection for the first time in one of my anthologies. There is a power and depth to these voices that I hope resonates with you.

Rachel Kramer Bussel
New York City

I hope that at the very least made you curious about all those orgasms! Go ahead, check it out while it's on sale:

Kindle

Nook

Google Play

iBooks

Kobo

Why my Best Women's Erotica of the Year book tour is only going to 4 cities

When I sent out my most January newsletter announcing the Best Women's Erotica of the Year Volume 2 book tour, a few people asked me, "How come you're not come to my city?" (Side note, if you're a newsletter subscriber, read it above or in your inbox and enter to win a copy of my female orgasm anthology Orgasmic by January 22nd!)



So I wanted to answer that question here. Whether I do any book readings at all, and how many I do, boils down to three main factors: time, money and people. I'll break them each down.

Time

Especially since the middle of last year when I started working in an office again for the first time since 2011, my time is much more limited. I'm taking three unpaid days off to do this tour, and that's only four dates. If I could have scheduled them all to avoid taking days off, I would have, but I also have to accommodate the stores' available dates and the days they feel will have the best turnout, along with the availability of my readers. To my mind, there's no point in doing an event on a night that nobody shows up to readings. In addition to scheduling, there's also getting to the event and back home. The other time factor that I would imagine people don't realize is the numerous hours of promotion leading up to an event. I learned when I was running my reading series In The Flesh that you have to reach people in as many ways as possible, so for the few months leading up to my readings, I research every avenue possible to let people know. Then I add my event listings everywhere from Yelp to Craigslist to Eventful to Galleycat, send them to the local newspapers and alt weeklies and blogs, have my publisher send the book and the event details, post on message boards, etc. All of that is very time consuming, and probably not something I could do, or at least, do well, if I had 10 events at once. I would rather do 4 events where I know I did everything I could to get people to attend and, hopefully, have good turnout, than 10 events where I was too frazzled to do anything more than a half-hearted effort.

Money

Money is directly linked with time, in that the time I'm doing all of the above, I'm not doing any paid work. Now, indirectly, hopefully, a book tour helps generate sales and visibility and publicity, which in the long run translates into more money for me, but in the short term, my book tours are huge expenses. I organize and fund my book tour myself, so in addition to the days off work I'm taking (I'm a freelancer so I only get paid for the days I'm actually working), here are some of the expenses involved: having promotional postcards made, mailing postcards, travel (airfare, hotel, taxis and Uber), meals while traveling, payment to authors (I am paying authors traveling outside of their home city $50 to help cover their travel costs). I also believe it's only right to support the stores that are supporting my work so I will likely buy one or more books at each venue. I haven't done the math yet, but I will likely have spent around $2,000 on this tour, not counting the days off I'm taking. Let's be widely generous and say I will sell 20 books at each event (that's most likely not going to happen and I'm not even sure if stores bring in that many for an event), my royalties would be $101.60, which I would receive in early August.

In other words, I'm losing money on doing this or any other book tour, in the short term. So why do I do it at all? Several reasons. For one, it's simply in my blood. I've been organizing readings since my first short story, "Monica and Me," was published way back in 2000. I believe that words don't only live on the page, and should be enjoyed live in front of people to truly gauge their impact. I also know that most bookstores stock very little to no erotica, so to have the genre take center stage alongside all the other valuable and important books being published is a sign that we don't want to be relegated to some back corner somewhere or solely read in secret on e-readers. I love that I'm getting to read at the same bookstore that Jon Hamm recently did an event in. I want more visibility not just for my books but for the genre as a whole. I subscribe to numerous bookstores' mailing lists and simply don't see a lot of erotica events listed. I'm deeply grateful to all the independent bookstores from Asheville to Anchorage who have chosen to stock Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 2, amongst the hundreds of thousands of books they could have stocked, and I want to make sure everyone from casual browsers to regular customers knows that those stores have these offerings.

I believe it's also valuable for my book's word of mouth to be seen in a "coming soon" display, to appear in a bookstore's newsletter and social media, to be listed in local media (thank you, Time Out LA!), and to simply be talked about. Maybe someone will see it and not think anything of it but in a month or a year will get curious and remember, "Hey, I saw that book of erotica at ___ store. I'm going to see if it's up my alley." I'll also be sharing photos and video on Twitter and Instagram and follow the BWE Facebook page because in Boston on February 9 I'm going to do my first Facebook Live! Yes, I'm a little nervous, just as I'm always nervous before I do a reading, but I'm also excited. I also believe it's useful for my authors, many of whom are doing a public reading for the first time (for some, this is their first published erotica story, or first in print). Since I got my start organizing readings and doing them for anthologies I was published in, I want to give this opportunity back to my authors. This deserves its own post, but part of my vision for the Best Women's Erotica of the Year series is that it's one where readers come to read sexy stories but also find new to them authors to follow as their careers blossom and grow, and live readings are part of that. They can build lifelong fans who may not remember everything they read, but are far likely to remember having heard the author speak the words with their own unique way of telling a story.

To put it another way, I'm a gambler. I actually don't go to the casinos within ten minutes of my home because of that, but with my books, I'm willing to gamble my own money that they are worth the effort and expenditure, that the cumulative impact of doing several readings in a row under the guise of a "book tour" is sending the right message to the universe. I wish it were as simple an equation as, the more time and money you invest in your book, the better it does in the marketplace. Of course it's not. There's myriad factors that go into whether a book is a hit with readers and book buyers, but I want to position this series, which is the culmination of my 17 years in the erotica genre, to do the best it possibly can. The better this book sells, the more resources I have for the next two volumes and, hopefully, my publisher will be happy with the series' progress and ask me to edit more of them.

People

While time and money determine how many cities I can visit and how much I can spend on these events, the determining factor in which cities I actually book events in is people. For instance, I love feminist bookstore Book Woman in Austin (shop there! It's a treasure trove for book lovers), but I don't think there are any authors in Best Women's Erotica of the Year 1 or 2 anywhere in Texas. Ditto for many other locations I'd love to visit. It doesn't make sense for just the editor of an anthology to do an appearance. So I scan each volume and see where the largest concentration of authors are located, see if they are interested, and make my plans around that. I have authors in each volume who live outside the United States, which I think makes the books stronger and more varied, but it leaves more limited options for events. I love that we get insight into dating culture in the Philippines, but I obviously can't afford to go there for a reading.

In this case, two of my authors are traveling from northern California for our Los Angeles reading at Skylight Books on January 31, and several are traveling for the others. That to me is an incredible honor, that someone would give up their own time and effort to take part in a reading I organized. That makes me all the more determined that they get a big crowd to hear their dirty words! I don't believe in unpaid labor or exploiting authors, so this year I offered that extra payment to my authors who are traveling to readings.

One of the great aspects of editing a series like this, though, is that as the years go by, I have a larger pool of readers to choose from, so even if there weren't enough people the first time, there may be next time. While this tour is mainly focused on Volume 2, Jade A. Waters and D.R. Slaten from Volume 1 are also reading with us, and I will probably read selections from each volume.

So that is my very long-winded way of describing how my book tours operate. Obviously, authors with big publishers likely have a very different setup that doesn't involve out of pocket costs (though it may). I'll end by saying that I would greatly appreciate you helping to spread the word about these four events. I always poll attendees after events to see where they heard about them, and amazingly, I get a wide range of response; it's rare that 80% heard about it from one source. So you telling your friend in LA or Baltimore or New York or Jersey City about this event is extremely valuable and helpful. Below are the links to the individual venues and the Facebook event pages if you want to spread the word that way. We're also doing Q&As; after each event so you can ask me and the authors anything about erotica, writing, publishing or whatever else you're curious about. The better this tour does, the more likely it is that I'll do it again next year in new cities!

Best Women's Erotica of the Year book tour, 2017

January 31, 7:30 pm, Skylight Books, Los Angeles, Facebook event page

February 9, 6:30 pm, Sugar, Baltimore (Hampden), Facebook event page

February 11, 7 pm, Bluestockings, New York City (Lower East Side), Facebook event page

February 13, 7:30 pm, WORD, Jersey City (half block from Grove Street PATH Station), Facebook event page

How Nick Carter of The Backstreet Boys inspired a Best Women's Erotica of the Year Volume 2 story

Who knew that boy band fandom could lead to getting published? Read on...Part of why I've done so many author interviews in my career is that when I finish reading a book (or a short story or an essay), if it moved me, I have questions. That's why I've been asking the contributors to Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 2, all about their writing process and fiction inspiration over on the book's Tumblr.

This week's interview is with Jocelyn Bringas, author of the story "Taste," and she told me that the photo below of Nick Carter of The Backstreet Boys was the genesis of her story! How cool is that?

All dressed up.

A photo posted by Nick Carter (@nickcarter) on Mar 27, 2013 at 8:01pm PDT

You can read all about this sexy tale in our interview. The story itself starts out like this:

The cool San Francisco air was refreshing on my skin after being stuck behind a stuffy cubicle for eight hours. I was following my routine of walking to the underground Embarcadero BART station to take my evening train ride home. When I reached Market Street and Drumm, I stood on the crowded sidewalk and waited for the signal to walk across the street.

“I wonder if you taste as good as you look.”

I hope you will join us Tuesday, January 31st at 7:30 p.m., where she will read from "Taste" live at Skylight Books at 1818 North Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, and probably give us a little more juicy insight! On a totally superficial note, I got a new dress for the occasion and can't wait to kick off this book tour and finally meet Jocelyn, who I published years ago in my anthology Yes, Sir. I follow most of my authors on social media and feel like I somewhat know them, but it's different from getting to see them in person, and hear the way they personally tell the story they created. That is an incredible feeling and something I wish I could do with all my authors.



Even if you're not in LA, I would love it if you'd help spread the word. Here's the Facebook event page, and of course, we'll have photos and maybe even some video snippets, so stay tuned to the book's Twitter and Instagram accounts. We may even try doing a Facebook Live!

And through this Sunday, June 15th, I'm giving away 10 free copies of the audiobook over on Facebook, so enter the giveaway if you want to hear Rose Caraway narrate all 21 stories.

Early bird pricing for my LitReactor online erotica writing class ends Tuesday, January 10

My final LitReactor online Between the Sheets erotica writing class, which takes place entirely online from February 7-March 7, is starting soon and if you register by Tuesday, January 10th, you save $25 on the price. Starting January 11th, the price goes up to $375, so if you're planning to take the class, act fast to get the early bird price.



In this class, which you can learn more about by clicking above, I offer weekly written lectures, daily postings with more in depth material as well as exclusive to the class Q&As; with erotica publishers, editors, literary agents and successful authors (both self-published and traditionally published), weekly homework assignments with line-by-line critiques (plus you will give and get critiques from fellow students) and the chance to ask all the questions you want, as well as an invitation to my private online group for alumni to continue the conversations started in class. Since it's only four weeks, we do work hard and if you want to get the most out of the class, you should be prepared to do each homework assignment and spend at least five hours a week working on it. You will retain access to the classroom materials forever. It's basically an immersion into the genre and thinking about the world around you with an erotic writing lens, as well as motivation to submit your work and guidance on how to position yourself for success when trying to get published. That's not the only reason people take the class, but it is something I strongly encourage as a way to complete work and be ready if you do want to take that step.

Why is this my last time teaching a class I developed in 2014 that has been a wonderful success? Time. I spend at least 20 hours a week, often more, on the class, which gets daily input and postings from me in addition to detailed critiques on all homework assignments. For most of the last few years, I've worked entirely from home, but now that I'm employed again, my time is more limited, and I wouldn't want to offer this class unless I could truly immerse myself in it and be available to my students the way they deserve.

I really love the camaraderie and community that has developed out of this class, with students keeping in touch, taking part in my private online group for alumni and continuing to work on their writing, submit stories, get published and grow and learn. Whether or not you take the class, I strongly encourage you to bookmark LitReactor and take advantage of all the resources and information and variety the site offers. I am honored that they asked me to teach the class and that I was able to develop my in person workshop into one that translated online.



Speaking of in person, I'll be teaching what's probably my only in person erotica writing workshop very soon, three weeks from today, on Sunday, January 29 from 4-6 pm at romance bookstore The Ripped Bodice in Culver City, California (they also have an extensive erotica section, which is more than most U.S. bookstores, many of which have a few or even zero copies of erotic books). It's $25 and the official description is belowIt's limited to 20 people and is such a wonderful setting for the class. You can register at erotica101rippedbodice.brownpapertickets.com. If you are nearby or know anyone who is who wants to get their 2017 in gear with their writing, please let them know.

Rachel Kramer Bussel, professional erotica author and editor of over 60 erotica anthologies, including Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volumes 1 and 2, Begging for It: Erotic Fantasies for Women, Cheeky Spanking Stories, Tasting Him, Tasting Her, Come Again: Sex Toy Erotica, The Big Book of Orgasms, Fast Girls, Gotta Have It, and more, will take you through the ins and outs of modern erotic writing. Learn how to get started, find your voice, experiment on the page and write from various viewpoints. You'll discover how to incorporate everyday scenarios, settings and objects as well as outlandish fantasies into your writing, and make them fit for particular publications including magazines and anthologies. She'll also talk about submitting your work, selecting a pseudonym, building your author brand and keeping up with the thriving erotica market (including anthologies, ebooks, magazines and websites). Whether you're writing to that special someone, penning longtime fantasies, or want to earn cash for your dirty words, this workshop is for you. Please bring paper or writing implements or a laptop to use for in class writing exercises. A bibliography with erotica resources will be provided. $25/person. Limited to 20 people. Contact The Ripped Bodice at 424-603-4776 if you have any questions.

Lastly, if you are looking for feedback on your erotica writing or private consultation, you can visit my website Erotica Writing 101 to get more information about the service I offer.

Kinky new year ebook sale: Best Bondage Erotica 2011 is only $1.99 this week

Happy 2017! To celebrate the new year, I wanted to share that the ebook version my anthology Best Bondage Erotica 2011 is only $1.99 this week for e-readers Kindle, Nook, Google Play, iBooks and Kobo. This was the first of five bondage erotica books I edited for Cleis Press and I loved working on it. Even though it has a date from six years ago on it, I promise that if you're into bondage and BDSM and creative kinky scenarios, you'll likely find something you'll enjoy. These are timeless, sexy stories that are a perfect way to start the new year. I'm pretty sure there will be many more of my ebooks on sale this year so if you want to know about them as soon as they happen, follow me on BookBub and get an email when the price drops. You can also follow your favorite authors or by genre so if you're an avid ebook reader, I highly recommend checking them out.




Introduction: The Joy of Restraint

The Long Way Home Elizabeth Coldwell
His Little Apprentice Jacqueline Applebee
Foreign Exchange Evan Mora
The Ingénue Janine Ashbless
Reasoning Tenille Brown
Subdue Dusty Horn
Relative Anonymity Emerald
Closeted Emily Bingham
Vegas Treat Rachel Kramer Bussel
The Cartographer Angela Caperton
The Apiary Megan Butcher
Wired Lisabet Sarai
How the Little Mermaid Got Her Tail Back Andrea Dale
The Lady or the Tiger Bill Kte’pi
Sealed for Freshness Jennifer Peters
Stocks and Bonds Rita Winchester
Helen Lay Bound Suzanne V. Slate
The Rainmaker Elizabeth Daniels
Do You See What I Feel? Teresa Noelle Roberts
Truss Issues Lux Zakari


Introduction: The Joy of Restraint

Perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised to find, when putting together this anthology, that about 75 percent of the story submissions involved the submissive’s, or bottom’s, point of view. When it comes to bondage, the feeling of giving in, surrendering, allowing oneself to be placed at someone else’s mercy, comes alive on the page, and these authors certainly know how to vividly depict that appeal. Though there are stories here from a top’s perspective, told by dominants who delight in the thrill of watching a lover squirm, struggle and submit, most of the stories here go the other way.

Take “The Rainmaker,” by Elizabeth Daniels, in which Amy, a bit uncertain, allows herself to overcome her fears and get tied up:

Darkness and the ropes enfolded Amy like a chrysalis. Her mind was clear, finally at peace. After months of agonizing over every step of foreplay, after sex that consisted of checklists and flow charts compiled from hours of research, for once, she did not need to think or plan. Like extradark chocolate, such dependence was not something she would want every day, but for the moment, it was a bite of bitter bliss.

I especially appreciate the stories here that illuminate the leap of faith one needs to make to allow someone else to bind him. In “Truss Issues,” Emy repeatedly tells Samir that she’s not into bondage, doesn’t want to be tied up and yet, somewhere inside, she knows that isn’t totally true. “To her surprise, her body didn’t sync up to her beliefs. She felt a warm liquid rush flood her cunt… Cursing her body for its betrayal, Emy nestled her teeth in her lower lip and forced her breathing to remain calm, to not come out as a needy whimper.” What happens when she surrenders teaches her that she doesn’t have to give up all of herself to enjoy the sweet friction and emotional journey that submission to bondage can incur.

In the lesbian scene in Dusty Horn’s “Subdue,” the narrator finds herself, finds the core of her submission and learns how to be patient.

After what seems like eons without touch, her hot hand on my chin is electrifying. She lifts it up and back, pressing something against my smooth exposed throat. Tugging firmly up on the hair at the nape of my neck, she wraps the rest of the mystery object against the top of my spine where my still body meets my busy mind.

“This is mine,” she hums to me as she slides a metal clasp into place. “This is not your collar. It’s mine, for you to wear.”

The collar bulges around my neck, a leather halo engorged with blood.

Other stories stand out for their unique scenarios. In “The Ingénue,” by Janine Ashbless, a young woman finds a bound man outside in the yard, and goes to investigate this curious vision. “How the Little Mermaid Got Her Tail Back,” by Andrea Dale, puts a kinky twist on a beloved fairy tale. In “Sealed for Freshness,” Mitchell pays for his disobedience with a flogging against his plastic-wrapped skin, while in “Stocks and Bonds,” some historical role-play at a Renaissance Festival leaves Kerri begging for mercy.

I was looking for stories that spanned the world of bondage, and boy did I get that! Here, you’ll find rope and handcuffs, as you might expect, but you’ll also find cling wrap, Ethernet cables, stocks and bonds, silk ties and other implements whose creators probably didn’t intend them to be used in kinky play. There’s bondage at the office, bondage onstage and under a red turtleneck sweater dress. There are bondage beginners and seasoned pros, men and women who offer up their wrists, ankles, necks and other body parts to those just itching to play with them.

This is a book for anyone who wants to know what’s so arousing about being tied up. Whether you’ve ever experienced bondage or not, these authors boldly take you along as they negotiate what they are and aren’t willing to give up, and illustrate the blissful beauty that can take place, inside and out, when you make the choice to give up some of your freedom and mobility in order to access the world from a new perspective.

If what drew you to this book was the stunningly sexy image on the cover, I can assure you that the stories you’ll find inside is just as hot—possibly even hotter. They are about so much more than simply what one looks like while tied up: for instance, what it feels like to wait, longing for release while also hoping the joy of restraint never ends. That push/pull is at the heart of bondage, and that is what you will experience along with the characters, those brave subs, brats, bad girls and naughty boys who offer themselves up so their masters and mistresses—and you, the reader—can savor them, one click of the handcuffs at a time.

My words of the year for 2017: nest and save

In 2016, I told myself I was too busy moving and pitching and hustling and finding jobs and, well, life, to set an intention or pick a word for the year. I spent much of the year feeling quite out of sorts, floating from one random project to another without any real concrete goal. It was like I was having my Saturn Return at age 40 (though that may be the wrong metaphor). I accomplished some big things that were on my list, like quitting caffeine and getting a business credit card, but most of the year felt like I was scrambling to catch up with myself and never got even close.

So this year I decided to set two words, because I'm a hoarder and can never pick just one (actually because they go together) to help guide me in 2017: nest and save. While I love traveling and have a huge list of places I would love to visit before I die, the truth is travel can be very stressful. Most of the time when I travel I am also bringing along the baggage of a giant to do list, which cuts into my ability to relax and enjoy myself. Plus now that I have actual jobs rather than the random cobbled together freelance writing assignments of the past, I don't want to miss any more unpaid days than I have to. I'm missing a few for my book tour because the Best Women's Erotica of the Year series means the world to me and I want to do everything I possibly can to make sure these books reach a wide audience and that I offer the opportunity to do live readings to my authors.

But other than that, I'll be sitting out all conferences and postponing my European vacation to a future date. The other side of the coin is savings. I've listened to every episode of Gaby Dunn's podcast Bad With Money (you can read my interview with her about it at Salon), and felt a deep sense of shame that at 40 (and still at 41), I identify with so much of what she discusses, yet she is in her late twenties and already helping herself climb out of her bad money habits. I heard her say in an early episode that she has $20,000 in the bank and realized that I think I can only say I've had that once, for a brief, lucrative moment.

I'm only starting now, which I fear is too late but I also know that it's the best that I can do. I raised my credit score from around 580 to above 700 last year and intend to keep on raising it. I did accomplish some financial positives last year but I also wasted lots of money on pointless trips and spending that could have been better harnessed saving with a purpose or funneling back into promoting my books. That's not to say I won't spend any money this year, but that I will do so more deliberately and will have the time to plan and assess because I won't be on the go so much. I will have more time, for instance, to actually read all the lovely books I bought during my Boston independent bookstore trip.

I moved in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 and unless an unexpected problem crops up, I will be staying put in 2017, which is great because I love my huge bedroom/office and all the artwork we've decorated with. I want to further get to know my neighbors and neighborhood and my state and focus on self-improvement and my relationship and what's important to me. I want to start volunteering again locally and be able to donate to my favorite nonprofits at the end of this year. Travel is also something I value greatly and I will still see family and hopefully take another trip with my partner, but only after I've met some savings goals first. That's the opposite of the way I've been doing things for my whole adult life, and while I have gotten to visit some wonderful places, now is the time to step up and act like I'm in my forties, rather than someone half my age.

All of my income streams could end any day, and I'm fully aware of that. Jobs come and go, which I know well having been laid off. Book royalties, which were wonderful last year, could dry up, which is why I'm also devoting some time every day toward book promotion. But all of those small tasks that go into the general job of "erotica editor" I can't do to my fullest when I'm on the road. Yes, there's wifi at airports and I do get some things done and have even written pieces I'm very proud of in hotels, but I am far more deliberate and aware of my purpose when I have steadiness and reliability in my routine. I'm someone who drinks out of the exact same coffee mug every morning and actually miss it when I go away.

I don't know exactly how these worlds will play out, but I know as I sit here at my desk listening to the rain fall that I'm grateful to have them as my guiding principles, to help me sort out the kind of life I want for myself rather than feeling like that sense of peace and comfort is always too far for me to grasp.