My Salon article on vandalism and harassment at feminist sex toy stores

Yes, it so happens that three pieces of mine came out today (all written last week), and I'm proud of them all but this one at Salon I think is the most important: "Sex shop crimes: How vandals, creeps and violence threaten our neighborhood vibrator peddlers." Thanks to staff at Self Serve, Good Vibrations, Good for Her, Sugar, Babeland, Pure Pleasure and Secret Pleasures and everyone else I contacted but couldn't include for letting me know what's up at your stores. And thanks for reading! If you buy sex toys and/or care about those who buy and sell them, I'd love it if you'd pass this one on.

Marie Claire UK on my free Babeland erotica class (next one is October 17th)

I spent part of my 8-hour layover at Schiphol airport checking out Lindsey Kelk's "50 Shades of Pay Day" article in Marie Claire UK (with Blake Lively on the cover) about the free erotic writing workshop I taught at Babeland (the next one, also free, is October 17th at 7 - don't be late or you'll miss it!). I haven't found the article online yet but here's part of what she wrote about me:

Far from being a slinky Jessica Rabbit-type sexpot, the night's speaker, Rachel Kramer Bussel, who has edited more than 40 anthologies of erotica, reminded me of my year-eight English teacher. I wasn't sure if it was the 'take me seriously' specs or the fact that she just seemed a little bit awkward handing out pencils. But I wasn't surprised to find out that her other passion was reviewing cupcakes on her blog

Her advice was straightforward: write what you know about, don't be afraid to use humour. After a quick talk, she led us through a few writing exercises, giving us two minutes to write a short erotic scene featuring a given subject, the first two being food and a chair. The idea was to realise that anything can be erotic.

FREE workshop is Wednesday, October 17th, 7-7:45 pm, Babeland, 43 Mercer Street, NYC - see you there!

Free erotic writing workshop, Babeland SoHo NYC October 17th

I'm back at Babeland October 17th! No RSVP necessary but be on time; last time people were late and missed it. Short and sweet and free!

Easy Erotica Writing with Rachel Kramer Bussel
Wednesday, October 17, 7pm, Free
Babeland SoHo, 43 Mercer Street
Want to write your own sexy stories just like E.L James? In this mini-workshop, Rachel Kramer Bussel, editor of Suite Encounters: Hotel Sex Stories and Best Bondage Erotica 2012 will teach you her top ten tricks for getting your readers' knickers in a twist. You’ll be banging out your own book in no time!
http://rachelkramerbussel.com/
http://easyeroticawriting.eventbrite.com/

Photos from last time:

Twitter party about Obsessed September 5th, win Babeland prizes!

For more information, see the Cleis Press Tumblr. See you on Twitter Monday night! Or anytime @raquelita (and @cupcakeblog, where we're inching toward 20,000 followers!). More free erotic romance excerpts from Obsessed coming soon, and I just finalized the table of contents for Irresistible and my 2012 oral sex anthology Going Down! But first, the books that are out.

We’re having a Twitter Party with Rachel Kramer Bussel Sept. 5, 7-9pm EST!

The hashtag will be #obsessedbook, and Rachel will be on hand to answer your pressing questions about the anthology, writing/editing, and who knows what else? There will be prizes for best questions: something fun donated by Babeland, and a copy (or three) of Obsessed - sent right to you. All you have to do is tweet!

Seattle, Seattle, Seattle! Get your FREE cupcakes and sexy erotica Monday night

This is the kind of question I am fielding from my readers from Naked Girls Reading:

By the way, do you know if it would be possible for us to wear sheer lacythings with nothing underneath? So it would still show our nudie bits but technically be clothing? Just trying to figure out how to make it the most like Naked Girls Reading as possible.




What will they wear? I don't know, and I wouldn't tell even if I did. You have to show up Monday night to find out! Extra special karma points to those who spread the word about this fun, free event. I do plan to visit Seattle again for fun but I probably won't do more readings so please do check it out! I will be offering up teasers of the stories we plan to read. I'm open to suggestions, so if you liked Gotta Have It and have a request, I'll read any of the 68 stories (Shanna will presumably read her own, "Genesis")! Free tote bags will also be given out courtesy of EdenFantasys.



Baby raspberry rhubarb (rhubarb cake w/raspberry cream cheese frosting)
Baby gay (vanilla funfetti cake w/vanilla buttercream and rainbow sprinkles)
Baby peppermint on chocolate
Baby salted caramel
Baby triple threat

Get your free cupcakes and hot smut:

June 27, 6-8 pm, FREE
Babeland, 707 E. Pike Street, Seattle, 206-328-2914 (get directions here)
Gotta Have It reading

Join Gotta Have It editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, contributor Shanna Germain ("Genesis") and burlesque performers Jesse Belle-Jones, Polly Wood and Heidi Von Haught from Naked Girls Reading for a fun, fabulous event at Babeland Seattle for short, sexy readings from Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex, plus free cupcakes! Free copies of SexIs Magazine will be given away.


Salted caramel is the one on the top; see more of my photos from Cupcake Royale Capitol Hill on Flickr.

My last Seattle and London readings, please come: free cupcakes June 27th and July 2nd

I won't be reading in Seattle or London again unless something very special and surprising and sponsored comes up, so please join me and please support my work by letting anyone who might be interested know about these events. I don't skimp - there's free cupcakes from Cupcake Royale in Seattle and free cupcakes and champagne in London. Excited about these events (but also very excited to come home and not have to stress about them!).

I do kindof have to pinch myself because it's pretty fucking awesome that my books are for sale in London and Sh! knows who I am and that over the years of editing numerous anthologies I've forged relationships with authors who I'm excited to meet in person. For me, I'm both a very social creature and someone who craves major amounts of solitude. I've been thinking about going on a writing retreat if I have time, or some sort of space where I can just get away from the hectic overload of NYC. Writing fulfills that need to be alone and feel like I'm creating something, but getting to work with other people and create something bigger and better than I could ever possibly create on my own is why I continue to edit anthologies. Sometimes I have my doubts about whether it's "worth it" or whether I will continue to, and after the hotel erotica book I have nothing signed up, so we'll see, but I do enjoy getting to know writers' styles and the ways they approach a topic, the styles, the viewpoints. I learn so much about sexuality in general and erotic writing by combing through hundreds of submissions per year and the opportunity to put a face to a byline is one I'm very much looking forward to, even if I'm super nervous that nobody will show up.

Thanks!

Seattle reading June 27th at Babeland

Monday, June 27 · 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Babeland
707 E. Pike Street
Seattle, WA

Join Gotta Have It editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, contributor Shanna Germain ("Genesis") and burlesque performers Jesse Belle-Jones, Polly Wood and Heidi Von Haught from Naked Girls Reading for a fun, fabulous event at Babeland Seattle for short, sexy readings from Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex, plus free cupcakes! Free copies of SexIs Magazine will be given away.

Cupcakes will be 5 dozen mini cupcakes by Cupcake Royale, also in Capitol Hill. Flavors:

Baby raspberry rhubarb (rhubarb cake w/raspberry cream cheese frosting)
Baby gay (vanilla funfetti cake w/vanilla buttercream and rainbow sprinkles)
Baby peppermint on chocolate
Baby salted caramel
Baby triple threat

London reading July 2nd at Sh!

Saturday, July 2 · 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Sh! Women's Erotic Emporium
57 Hoxton Square

Join New York-based author and erotica editor Rachel Kramer Bussel for her first UK reading. She will be joined by authors Janine Ashbless, Jacqueline Applebee, Justine Elyot, KD Grace, Kay Jaybee and Carmel Lockyer, reading steamy selections from books such as Orgasmic, Smooth, Best Bondage Erotica 2011 and Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex.

Free cupcakes and bubbly while supplies last!

Books will be available for sale and signing.

True to our female focused ethos, we ask that male guests are accompanied by a woman.

Spaces are limited, so make sure to book your space early as this FREE event will fill up quickly! Email us at shop@sh-womenstore.com and we'll add your name to the guest list!

Dear Seattle, your free cupcake menu awaits June 27th - see you at Babeland!

If you come to my Babeland Seattle reading with Shanna Germain and Naked Girls Reading burlesque performers Jesse Belle-Jones, Polly Wood and Heidi Von Haught, you'll also be served 5 dozen cupcakes from Cupcake Royale. I don't skimp on readings! Capitol Hill for the win! We'll all be reading from the hotness that is Gotta Have It. June 27th, a month from today, see you (and, hopefully, your Seattle friends), there!! Your official Facebook invite is right here. You might have to fight me for the salted caramel...no, I will go beforehand and eat a full-size one all by myself, cause they are ridiculously good. Also, hello? They have a flavor in June called "gay." I obviously had to get it. I'm sure someone will be reading a queer story. Or several someones.

Baby raspberry rhubarb (rhubarb cake w/raspberry cream cheese frosting)
Baby gay (vanilla funfetti cake w/vanilla buttercream and rainbow sprinkles)
Baby peppermint on chocolate
Baby salted caramel
Baby triple threat

Get your free cupcakes and hot smut:

June 27, 6-8 pm
Babeland
707 E. Pike Street
Seattle, WA


Salted caramel is the one on the top; see more of my photos from Cupcake Royale Capitol Hill on Flickr.

Yes, my Seattle June 27th will be this hot

And you should be there. Or wish you were there. It's free and Naked Girls Reading will be reading almost naked and I and Shanna Germain will be reading and signing Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex. And there are free cupcakes! I'll be in Seattle this weekend for vacation and fun and CupcakeCamp Seattle...in June I'll be there for the Rock N Roll Marathon, which I just may be walking solo (helpful hint: don't make plans nine months in advance with anyone and expect them to stay in place) and for this fantabulous very special reading. As I've said before, I quit In The Flesh because I couldn't afford the time and financial costs, and this is the last year I'll be doing the same amount of readings unless someone else is flying me there (meaning, this is the last year I will be doing a lot of readings). I am hoping to get out to California in 2012 to do some readings with Susie Bright for Best Sex Writing 2012 (deadline May 1 and it's already shaping up amazingly).

Anyway...crazy busy time but I wanted to share this hot flyer with you. If you like it, do me a favor and head over to Facebook and share the news about this reading. Or just copy and paste. Whatever works.



June 27, 6-8 pm, FREE
Babeland, 707 E. Pike Street, Seattle
Gotta Have It reading

Join Gotta Have It editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, contributor Shanna Germain ("Genesis") and burlesque performers Jesse Belle-Jones, Polly Wood and Heidi Von Haught from Naked Girls Reading for a fun, fabulous event at Babeland Seattle for short, sexy readings from Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex, plus free cupcakes! Free copies of SexIs Magazine will be given away.

Naked Girls Reading Gotta Have It live, free, Seattle, June 27th!

2011 is the last year I will be doing readings all over the place like a crazy woman unless they are very special (or someone else pays for me) so I really am excited about this very special reading. PLEASE do me a giant favor and tell anyone in Seattle who might be interested. I want to pack Babeland. Here's a too-racy-for-Facebook photo of Naked Girls Reading Seattle, who will be joining me, along with erotica writer extraordinaire Shanna Germain, author of the story "Genesis" and editor of the upcoming Bound to Lust. Shanna is also featured in the Gotta Have It book trailer. I'll get to work on some yummy cupcakes - I'll be in Seattle mid-April for CupcakeCamp Seattle and it's a huge cupcake city so I'm sure that won't be a problem.

Facebook invite
June 27, 6 to 8 pm, FREE
Join Gotta Have It editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, contributor Shanna Germain ("Genesis") and burlesque performers from Naked Girls Reading for a fun, fabulous event at Babeland Seattle for short, sexy readings from Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex, plus free cupcakes!

Babeland Seattle reading Monday, June 27th

I'll have more details as it gets closer, but in the next few months, I may be teaching an erotic writing class, will be doing a signing at Book Expo America of Gotta Have It, and on Monday, June 27th, I'll be doing a reading with some special guests at Babeland in Seattle. There might be some other summer events in the Midwest, but for now I'm focused on writing and anthology editing. Next week I have some more nonfiction I'll be linking to, and various other things are in the works. Sorry to be so vague, I've just learned not to count my publishing chickens before they hatch.

Listen to me at NYC24.com

I just now realized that there's audio of my interview at NYC24 (click "read aobut it" then put your cursor over my photo to listen) for their vice issue (we taped the interview at bakery Butter Lane in the East Village, which made for some interesting moments when words like "sex toys" left my mouth). The piece is by Mariel S. Clark and Michele Hoos.

Read the story and listen to me, Sex in the Public Square's Elizabeth Woods, and Cherry TV's Jill Abrahams talk about sex in New York City.

You can also watch a tour of Babeland from co-owner Claire Cavanah and watch Jamye Waxman use a vulva puppet!

Babeland anniversary sex toy cupcakes

Sex toy store Babeland just celebrated its 15th anniversary with a big party in Seattle, with cupcakes from Trophy Cupcakes. These two photos are by Hollis Rendleman (check out her entire Flickr set). Reposted with permission.

Why I love Babeland

Sex toy store Babeland is celebrating their 15th anniversary (in Seattle on Monday they'll have Dan Savage at their event, plus cupcakes from Trophy Cupcakes!) and I've written this little tribute, which will be cross-posted on the Babeland blog.

I didn't buy my first vibrator from Babeland, because I don't think it
had opened in New York at that time, but I have bought my favorite and
most beloved ones there. I distinctly remember when the Babeland on
Rivington Street opened. I was just starting to explore my and New
York's sexuality, going to play parties, coming out as bisexual,
discovering that I liked things like spanking. I would go to Babeland
and look hungrily at all the shiny, pretty, sometimes intimidating and
exciting objects all around. Little did I know I would go on to do
readings and an erotic love letter workshop there.

The vibrator that really changed my life was a little pink clitoral
one, it may have been called the Honeybear, but I'm not sure. That
vibrator helped show me how to have an orgasm and what my clit was for
(yes, I was in my early twenties, in law school - I was a late
bloomer). I remember how excited I was, just to own it; to walk out of
the shop and have this special treasure tucked into my bag. And then I
got home and used it and wow! I went on to wear that one out, before
replacing it and then upgrading to the vibrator that is still my
mainstay, the Hitachi Magic Wand, which I now can't imagine ever
living without.

But what sticks out for me from those early days of Babeland shopping
to walking into the store today is the friendliness of the staff and
the environment. You know the people working there actually care about
sex and making it better, for everyone who walks in their door,
whether that's with a bottle of lube, a harness, nipple clamps, or a
vibrator (or two). Babeland is the kind of place anyone can walk in
and banish all those shameful, scary feelings about sex I think even
the most enlightened among us sometimes walk around with. It's a store
I've taken many friends to buy their first (or second, third, etc.)
vibrators, and where I go when I want to find new toys or just browse
and get ideas for erotica stories.

I can't imagine what New York would be like without Babeland as a
resource. I remember trying to buy porn at one of those shops on 6th
Avenue near West 4th Street, and being the only woman there, being
nervous and feeling out of place. That doesn't happen at Babeland.
Their bright, cheerful, colorful atmosphere comes armed with a staff
who can actually tell you about which vibrator would work best for
your specific needs, taking into consideration numerous factors. The
toys I've bought from Babeland, from paddles to vibrators to butt
plugs, rope, a gorgeous purple flogger, and more, are ones I treasure
and have put to good use.

Congratulations on your first 15 successful years; I can't wait to see
what Babeland cooks up in the next 15.

Love letters workshop

Thanks to everyone who came out to the love letter writing workshop. We shared some really intense examples, some sexy, some sweet, and I hope people continue writing their letters after the starts we made. I was very nervous about the class but I'm so glad it turned out well. In my research, I found some great sites, including:

The Romantic (famous love letters)

300 love letters project

These are shots by Stacie Joy of me right before the class, surrounded by papers (and my books, which Babeland SoHo is now stocking!).

Tonight's love letter workshop at Babeland and recent press

Very busy around here so another quick update - more this week about the incredible Ida show I went to the other night. You can listen to their new song "Lovers Prayers" off the new album, also called Lovers Prayers, on MySpace. Beautiful.

There is a LOT going on; tonight's workshop is being covered by a local magazine and other media nibbles are in the works. I'm wrapping up two big articles and am at the tail end of my novel. I am still, believe it or not, getting over my evil cold, thanks to Cold-Eeze lozenges and lots of water and sleep. I had a pretty rough week last week mentally/emotionally but feel a lot better about the week ahead.

Tonight is the love letter workshop at Babeland! If you haven't registered but want to come, I'm pretty sure you can just show up tonight, but call them at 212-966-2120 to check. And if you missed my lover letter example, there it is.



Sunday, January 27, 8 pm - 10 pm
Love Letter Writing Workshop
$20
U R HOT. Want to express your feelings to your Valentine, but just can’t find the words? Spend the evening with Rachel Kramer Bussel penning romantic notes and sweet nothings for your special someone. Rachel is a novelist, editor, and columnist; editor of more than a dozen erotic anthologies, including "He’s on Top", "She’s on Top", and "Hide and Seek". Pen and paper will be provided, and a handout with suggested readings will be passed out. You will have the opportunity to read your work aloud (but are not required to), and will leave with a letter you could send to a lover (real or imaginary).
Babeland, 43 Mercer Street, NYC
Call 212-966-2120 to register or visit the store

And some recent press:

I'm interviewed by Em & Lo at Conde Nast's sex blog Daily Bedpost

E&L: What if you're afraid that your love letter will be totally cheesy, how can you avoid that?

RKB: First of all, I think some cheesiness is okay, but then again, I'm a big dork. But to combat that, make it personal. Include private memories or inside jokes and really highlight why they're so special. It can be something silly that only you find charming about the person--in fact, all the better. Most of all, be honest. I think the most heartfelt, moving love letters are perhaps the toughest to write, because you lay bare all your real emotions, sometimes ones you might be too nervous to tell someone in person.

Also, it doesn't all have to be about how perfect the person is; loving someone's flaws, or seeing them in all their complexity, good and bad, is ultimately what loving someone is all about, and I think at the end of the day, while it's nice to get compliments, more than that we want to be known and loved for who we are, not who we might be. So by showing that you know that person inside and out, that you are there for them through thick and thin, that you appreciate things about them that they may not appreciate about themselves, you make the letter into something they will treasure. I'm not saying to make it all dark and depressing, but if you make someone cry (tears of joy), they're gonna want to hold onto your letter.



The Columbia Spectator looks at Best Sex Writing 2008 and Barnard alum and contributor Miriam Datskovsky

That’s the thing about sexuality, this book, and its authors at large: they’re all hard to pin down. Even the collaborators managed to gain just as much wisdom as they imparted through each other. “I certainly learned a lot,” Bussel confided. “I found so much out there that truly expanded my vision of what sexuality is and means to people.” This was especially shocking considering her hometown: “I live in New York and I think it’s very easy to assume that we’re more open-minded or liberal or kinky or whatever, and that’s not necessarily true at all,” she said. “So I hope people who want to learn about sex will check out the book and that it might start some conversations in their lives about their own fantasies, desires, and outlooks around sex.”

Best Sex Writing is, in the end, a misnomer, because the word sex means so much more than just intercourse. One gets a sense, as Bussel puts it, of “the breadth of human sexuality ... and how sex changes people over time.” It’s not the easiest ride for white-bread America—as Datskovsky admitted, “If I wanted to be honest, I had to be completely unafraid.” This fearless and exultant look at the spectrum of human eroticism is thrilling and enlightening, an excellent return by a gutsy alumna—way to make us proud.

And also at the Columbia Spectator site, catch up on Miriam's old columns

Manleez.com also wrote about BSW and soon should have video interviews of us up

And check out the February issue of Zink - I'm quoted in Jamye Waxman's article on bisexuality, and the fabulous Hitha Prabhakar also has an article there.

And in cupcake news, you can check out my Flickr set from January's cupcake meetup at Out of the Kitchen and Jacques Torres. I'm about two weeks behind on all things photo and still figuring out my camera/Olympus Master/Flickr Uploader, but getting the hang of it. And rkb1 on Flickr is slowly dying (will probably not be adding many new photos to it) and being replaced by new accounts, like rkbcupcakes, that anyone can see.

Babeland videos

I'm home in bed on a Saturday night coughing what feels like my lungs up. Really not so fun. I'm also writing, which I'm actually enjoying though feel like I need to go stand in a hot shower for an hour to clear my nose of phlegm. Sorry to get so graphic on you there, I'm just SO OVER being sick. Will have some book and blog recommendations soon, cause I've been reading some good stuff.

Anyway...there will be much more to share, but right now I'm just trying to juggle umpteen projects, due and overdue, and handle new opportunities that are speeding my way. So here are some videos I found from Babeland, where I'll be teaching my erotic love letter workshop on Sunday, January 27th. Please spread the word, especially if you have a special someone you want to write something to for Valentine's Day. Or just because you care - I am a big fan of cards and notes for no particular holiday or reason.

The first video I love just because a) Morty Diamond is totally hot and b) he's so hilariously over the top in trying to sell us on Babeland water. Yes, of course you don't need Babeland water any more than you need any other non-NYC tap water, but oh...Morty manages to make their water sound sexy and is so in on the joke that I just adore it. I mean, how would you promote your company's water? I ask this as someone who tries to drink a gallon of water a day - I have no idea what I'd say, so I heart Morty for making this one.



Next up is the Aneros. When I wrote about "Boys' Toys" for the VIllage Voice back in the day, I got a bunch of emails about this particular toy:



Well, here you can find out more about it from another cutie, Evan, who calls it a good "first-time prostate toy." And, um, I've met enough guys who are way into anal stimulation and am sure would really love this toy (though I have not personally tested it out on anyone - yet!).



Lastly, Darlinda (better known as burlesque performer Darlinda Just Darlinda, who just completed a year in rainbow and you can see more of her pics on Flickr) talks about a very special G-Spot toy:



Speaking of the G-Spot, I cannot recommend enough Violet Blue's awesome book The Smart Girl's Guide to the G-Spot. It's blessedly short and to the point, not to mention fierce, fabulous, and full of useful info and totally inspired me to get a little more G-Spot happy. What I liked best is that she is not pushing women to get into G-Spot play or telling anyone what to do but simply sharing some of her findings about the joys of the G-Spot. I sent this book to a friend who was freaking out about a bf who wanted her to squirt, and she was all, "Can women do that?" The answer is yes and if you want to find out more, read Violet's book.

January events! Derek and Romaine tonight, In The Flesh, Best Sex Writing, Erotic Love Letters

It's a busy month kicking off a busy year, filled with many deadlines and many events...here's what's on tap for January. I'll provide the February recap once these events are over, or you can always check my site's calendar (needs updating at the moment, sorry) or my RSS calendar on the left side of this blog. Lots of travel coming up, about one event per month for the next little while. There's also a Cupcakes Take the Cake Meetup this Saturday at Out of the Kitchen, and an event called Kiss and Tell on January 16th at Arena Studios that I don't have any more info on, but, uh, I'll be there!



Tonight (Thursday, January 10th), despite this evil cold, I'm going on the Derek and Romaine show on Sirius OutQ to talk about Best Sex Writing 2008. I will try not to steer the conversation too far into Romaine mommyland, but I may not be able to help myself. Speaking of which, there were soooo many adorable babies and little kids at the U.S. Embassy on Monday. Yes, obviously I was very jealous but I'm biding my time. 2010 or 2011 maybe? Then I can start becoming a baby factory (I definitely want more than one).

IN THE FLESH EROTIC READING SERIES
BLOGGER SEX NIGHT
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17th at 8 PM
AT HAPPY ENDING LOUNGE, 302 BROOME STREET, NYC
(B/D to Grand, J/M/Z to Bowery, F to Delancey, http://www.happyendinglounge.com)
Admission: Free
Happy Ending Lounge: 212-334-9676

In The Flesh hosts its first all blogger night, with a range of readings from sexual memoir to erotica. With Dashiell (Fleshbot), T.A. Hines (Funky Brown Chick), Nichelle Stephens (nichellenewsletter.typepad.com), Martha Burzynski (Alice Ayers), Allison Bojarski (crossfitnyc.com), Lolita Wolf (lolitawolf.blogspot.com) and Jen Dziura (jenisfamous.com), who will read from the recently released anthology Sex and Candy: 22 Succulent Stories. Hosted by Rachel Kramer Bussel (Lusty Lady blog, editor of Best Sex Writing 2008, Hide and Seek, Sex and Candy). Free candy and cupcakes will be served.

In the Flesh is a monthly reading series hosted at the appropriately named Happy Ending Lounge, and features the city's best erotic writers sharing stories to get you hot and bothered, hosted and curated by acclaimed erotic writer and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel. From erotic poetry to down and dirty smut, these authors get naked on the page and will make you lust after them and their words. Since its debut in October 2005, In the Flesh has featured such authors as Laura Antoniou, Mo Beasley, Lily Burana, Jessica Cutler, Stephen Elliott, Valerie Frankel, Polly Frost, Gael Greene, Andy Horwitz, Debra Hyde, Maxim Jakubowski, Emily Scarlet Kramer of CAKE, Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Edith Layton, Logan Levkoff, Suzanne PortnoySofia Quintero, M.J. Rose, Lauren Sanders, Danyel Smith, Grant Stoddard, Cecilia Tan, Carol Taylor, Dana Vachon, Veronica Vera, Susan Wright, and many others. The series has gotten press attention from the New York Times’s UrbanEye, Escape (Hong Kong), Flavorpill, The L Magazine, New York Magazine, Philadelphia City Paper, Time Out New York, Gothamist, Nerve.com and Wonkette, and has been praised by Dr. Ruth. This is not Amanda Stern’s Happy Ending Reading Series.

Allison Bojarski is ready and waiting to kick your ass and have you pay her for the honor of doing so, at the best damn gym in New York, CrossFit NYC. Allison’s also blogged her way through Brazilian music and dance, cupcakes, the New York food scene, and marathon training. Equal parts sensual hedonist and clean-living advocate, she savors life to its fullest without looking or feeling crappy the next morning.
allisonbojarski.blogspot.com and crossfitnyc.com



Martha Burzynski a writer and photographer. Her work has appeared in The Village Voice, Publisher's News (UK), and online for Gothamist.com, Gawker Media, Mr. Beller's Neighborhood, and TheBlackTable.com. She has written about drinking and bars in the popular Drink Up column for Gothamist, and daydreamed crimes, dead cats, and unsent love letters, among other things, elsewhere. She photographs city life, events, including weddings, and portraits. She has an eponymous portfolio site at marthaburzynski.com and is obsessed with Flickr, too, where she can be found at flickr.com/photos/marthaburzynski.
alice-ayers.livejournal.com



Rachel Kramer Bussel is Senior Editor at Penthouse Variations, conducts interviews for Gothamist.com and Mediabistro.com, and wrote the popular Lusty Lady column for The Village Voice. Her erotic stories have been published in over 100 anthologies, including Best American Erotica 2004 and 2006, and she’s edited numerous anthologies, most recently Best Sex Writing 2008, Hide and Seek, Crossdressing, He’s on Top and She’s on Top. Rachel has also written for AVN, Bust, Cosmo UK, Gothamist, Mediabistro, Metro, New York Post, Punk Planet, San Francisco Chronicle, Time Out New York and Velvetpark.
lustylady.blogspot.com



Dashiell is currently the Associate Editor of Fleshbot, but has been writing in various forms on the internet for nearly eight years. No, that is not his real name, but please don't ask him to explain. He wishes he had something more to say here, but that's pretty much it.
www.fleshbot.com

Jennifer Dziura is a comedian and blogger best known for hosting the Williamsburg Spelling Bee⎯a real, cabaret-style adult spelling bee, as featured in the New York Times. Jennifer tours nationally as a comedian with her one-woman show "What Philosophy Majors Do After College," and recently returned from a
three-week tour entertaining the troops in the Middle East. She has written for McSweeney's, appeared on the Bob & Tom Show, debated professionally for Dewars Scotch, and has sold her eggs to gay men, twice.
jenisfamous.com



T.A. Hines is a writer and blogger who has lived in London, Chicago, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and The Hague. She is a contributing blogger at Nerve.com, host/producer of the Internet radio talk show & podcast Dating Roadkill, and editor/publisher of the blog funkybrownchick.com. She enjoys passionate love affairs with far-away lands and intelligent men. Her writing frequently covers interpersonal relationships (online and offline), sex & dating, contemporary lifestyle, arts & entertainment and travel. She has traveled to more than 15 countries, and she speaks English and Dutch fluently as well as conversational French and Italian. She currently resides in New York City.
funkybrownchick.com



Nichelle Stephens is a blogger, comedy producer of Chicks and Giggles, cupcake enthusiast, freelance publicist and small business accountant. She's semi-broke, but she has the most amazing, wonder-filled friends.
nichellenewsletter.typepad.com



Lolita Wolf describes herself as a poly switch who plays pansexually. She is an activist who defends the rights of S/M practitioners, spreads the word about S/M, and helps the community grow and flourish. Yet, her goal remains "to have fun." Lolita has many specialties including bondage, impact play of all sorts, hot wax, poly relationships, social skills, communication and negotiation, CBT, etc. Lolita has presented workshops for universities and organizations across the country and she has authored two books: CBT In A Nutshell and Spanking. She is an Emeritus Board Member of both the Eulenspiegel Society (TES) and Leather Leadership Conference, former Chair of Lesbian Sex Mafia, an honorary member of GMSMA, and she is active with National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and Leather Pride Night. A six year old Princess who lies about her age, Lolita manages to stir up trouble and get her own way (most of the time). She blogs about relationships, sex and BDSM/Leather as well as life in NYC.
lolitawolf.blogspot.com and LeatherYenta.com





January 22, 7 pm - 9 pm
Best Sex Writing 2008 Book Release Party/Reading
At Rapture Cafe, 200 Avenue A (between 12th and 13th), NYC, FREE
Featuring editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, Rachel Shukert ("Big Mouth Strikes Again: An Oral Report"), Lux Nightmare ("The Pink Ghetto"), Miriam Datskovsky ("Absolut Nude"), and Liz Langley ("Sex and the Single Septuagenarian"). Free cupcakes will be serived, and books will be available for sale and signing.



Sunday, January 27, 8 pm - 10 pm
Love Letter Writing Workshop
$20
U R HOT. Want to express your feelings to your Valentine, but just can’t find the words? Spend the evening with Rachel Kramer Bussel penning romantic notes and sweet nothings for your special someone. Rachel is a novelist, editor, and columnist; editor of more than a dozen erotic anthologies, including "He’s on Top", "She’s on Top", and "Hide and Seek". Pen and paper will be provided, and a handout with suggested readings will be passed out. You will have the oportunity to read your work aloud (but are not required to), and will leave with a letter you could send to a lover (real or imaginary).
Babeland, 43 Mercer Street, NYC
Call 212-966-2120 to register or visit the store