My new kinky anthology Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 is out!

I meant to post this way back in March, which seems like a lifetime ago, but having your book release at the same time you're preparing to stay home indefinitely during a pandemic means things sometimes fall by the wayside. So...I'm very excited that my kinky Cleis Press anthology Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 is out now in print, ebook and audiobook. Find out more about it below and ask for it at your local independent bookstore or library or use the links below.



Buy it from these retailers (I will add any additional buy links as they become available):

Amazon U.S. print

Barnes & Noble print

Kindle

Kobo

Audible audiobook

Super sexy, sensual, and surprising bondage stories from Tiffany Reisz, Somer Marsden, Valerie Alexander, and more collected in this exciting volume by erotica maven Rachel Kramer Bussel!

A cameraman puts a TV anchor on display in a whole new way… Two NASA officials wage an interstellar battle between protocol and desire, and one is taken captive . . . A gender-bending bounty hunter keeps his bounty hostage for more than just the monetary reward . . . Two warring neighbors discover that bondage can be a powerful negotiating tool . . . “Merlin” and the “Lady of the Lake” invoke the magic of the woods to fuel their fiery passions . . .

Best Bondage Erotica of the Year is back with erotica maven and award-winning editor Rachel Kramer Bussel compiling the most scintillating bondage stories into this one amazing collection. With a wide variety of different pairings, genders, and genres, these stories are all united in their deep desire for the mind-bending thrills of this o-so-delectable act. Whether you are exploring your kinky side, are looking for inspiration in the bedroom, or are simply interested in a sexy read, this collection is poised to please and titillate readers of any experience level who are keen to explore the depths of their own passions and penchants for the perverse.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Bliss of Bondage by Rachel Kramer Bussel Chained—Ria Restrepo Impropriety—Winter Blair Over Under—Kendel Davi Protocol—Angora Shade Beach Blanket Ballet—Richard Bacula Kneel—Kate Allure Pretty Tied Up—Zak Jane Keir The Deepest Part of the Forest—Deborah Castellano Connection—Lazuli Jones BYOB—Elizabeth Coldwell Contrary—Kim Kuzuri Freefall—Valerie Alexander Delicate Matters—Leandra Vane Boundless—Sammy Rei Schwarz Stronghold—Leif Often Necessary Roughness—Rachel Kramer Bussel Safe Sex—Violet R. Jones Hold On Harder—Dena Hankins The Student Seat—Sommer Marsden The Beguiling of Merlin—Tiffany Reisz

How sexy is my new bondage book cover?

I'll share more details closer to the March 10 publication date, but for now I wanted to share how sexy the cover is for my 2020 Cleis Press anthology Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1! Covers matter for all books, but especially erotica. Sometimes it's tough to find one image that fits a huge range of stories in an anthology, but I think this one says a lot. I promise there's lots of hotness and variety inside! Details and giveaways in the new year. For now, feel free to add it to your Goodreads want-to-read list and/or pre-order on IndieBound or pre-order on Amazon for Kindle (Amazon print link coming soon).

I need LOTS more bondage erotica for my new anthology

I almost titled this post, "Where has all the bondage erotica gone?" because save for a handful of short story submissions, the inbox for my Cleis Press anthology Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 call has been quite empty. I'm offering $75 and two copies of the book. The deadline to submit is coming up this Sunday, July 1, 2018. It could be that it's the summer and people are busy or it could be I've failed in my job as an editor to spread the word to enough writing communities. While that's bad news for me as I struggle not to bite my nails over this situation, it's good news for anyone submitting because your chances go way up when I have fewer submissions to choose from. Yes, I could always extend the call if I don't have the stories I need by July 2, but that feels like admitting editorial defeat and is something I avoid if I can help it. If you know of any websites, groups, mailing lists, etc., that might have writers of bondage stories, feel free to pass it on or let me know at bestbondageseries at gmail.com where to submit this call (or the next one, should I get asked to edit another volume).

I'm especially looking for submissions that surprise me with their plotlines and creative types of bondage, stories that feature people of color and stories by authors I've never worked with before, but I'm open to any and all unpublished stories that meet the writing guidelines. So if you know anyone who has a bondage story they've been wanting to get published or can write one in the next few days, please pass along the call for submissions. This graphic is just a way to get people's attention, not a suggestion of the types of bondage I want for this book. Instead, I want people of all genders restrained. I want mental and physical bondage. I want newbies and very experienced bondage players and everything in between. Maybe I'm worrying for nothing that there will be a big influx of submissions over the weekend, but if not, I wanted to spread the word to anyone who might have missed this call or perhaps seeing this post sparks a story idea.



And then August 1, 2018 is the Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 5 call for submissions deadline. Looking forward to reading all your stories!

If you're wondering why it takes so long to hear back, see my Medium post about the timing. In my forties, I'm trying to work smarter so that I can create better books with less stress and fewer errors. Hence, instead of setting the deadline in October or November, which would give me very minimal time to actually edit and select pieces, I've made these deadlines so I can give my copyeditor more time, consult with authors in case I have revisions, and have a manuscript in to my publisher well before they need catalog copy (the blurb you see on the back cover of the book that's also listed in a publisher's catalog and disseminated to retailers 8-12 months in advance of the book release).

Don't miss your chance to get published in Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 from Cleis Press

The July 1, 2018 deadline for my Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 call for submissions is coming up and I haven't received too many submissions. I hope that's because all you budding writers of kinky bondage stories are brainstorming and writing and self-editing, but if not, I wanted to remind you that I WANT TO READ YOUR STORIES! And I'm especially looking to publish work by writers I've never worked with before, because I think it's good for readers, good for the genre and good for a new series to publish new (to me) writers.

So please spread the word. I'm paying $75 for original, unpublished stories. Everything else you could want to know is in the call, but if you have any questions after reading it, contact me at the email address listed there and I'll get back to you ASAP (might be a little slower in early June when I'll be traveling).

This anthology won't be published until late 2019, but it takes a long time to put together an amazing book that's proofread until it's as close to perfect as possible. If you want to know more about the timeline for my books (although I've since revised it a little to give myself and my copyeditor more time to do our work), read my Erotica Writing 101 post about why it takes so long to hear back from anthologies. Speaking of Erotica Writing 101, I am available to work with private clients on your erotic fiction or sex-related nonfiction projects, although I don't work on any pieces that authors plan to submit to my anthologies, as that would give those authors an unfair advantage. I'll be accepting new clients through June 1, 2018, and then again starting on June 18, 2018.

New Cleis Press call for submission: Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1

I'll recap our wonderful Washington, DC Best Women's Erotica of the Year reading this weekend, but first I wanted to give all you writers out there the longest amount of time possible to craft your hottest, kinkiest stories for my next Cleis Press anthology. The call and all details are below; any questions after reading it in full should be directed to the email address below. Please feel free to share this call wide and far. As you can see, I'm especially interested in working with new authors! Submissions that don't follow the guidelines will be rejected. No extensions will be granted, so plan accordingly. And of course the part I bolded is important, and also one that with every single call I post, multiple authors ignore. If you do, it's highly unlikely I will accept your work, so just know that going in. I try to be as clear and transparent as possible. My calls are long to save my time and your time. I promise.

Call for Submissions
Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1
Edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel
To be published by Cleis Press in late 2019
Deadline: July 1, 2018

For Best Bondage Erotica of the Year, Volume 1, Rachel Kramer Bussel is looking for your hottest, most creative unpublished 2,000-4,000 word bondage erotica stories (no poetry). This anthology will include characters of different races, ages, backgrounds and bondage experience levels, plus a wide range of motivations, techniques, implements, and scenarios engaging in a bondage or restraint scenario at some point in the story. I want characters ranging from newbies to seasoned bondage players and everything in between. I want first person, second person and third person stories. I want bondage in bedrooms, at play parties, at offices, in public, in secret. Bondage should be a central focus of the erotic element of the story but the plot does not have to hinge on bondage. For an idea of the types of stories I prefer, see Best Bondage Erotica 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. While reading them is not required for submission to this anthology, I generally will not repeat highly specific bondage implements that appeared in any of those volumes. Stories that do not contain any form of bondage or restraint will not be considered.

The final book will include stories focused on both the physical and mental aspects of bondage. Bondage plus other elements of BDSM or sexual activity is welcome (spanking, tickling, exhibitionism, voyeurism, intercourse, oral sex, teasing, etc.). The more creative the bondage, the better, but any type of bondage will work as long as the story is arousing and draws me in from the first word and keeps me riveted. The main reason I reject stories for a themed anthology is that tales are too similar to each other, so avoid clichéd plotlines and dialogue. Authors I've never published before are especially encouraged to submit to this anthology. Characters of all genders/sexual orientations welcome. No poetry. All characters must be over 18 for the entirety of the story.

No incest or bestiality. Note that I won't be able to give final answers to submissions until August 1, 2019. If you need a response sooner, please do not submit to this anthology.
All stories should have a compelling beginning, middle and end. Make every word count and advance the story you want to tell. Consider each sentence and as: Does it serve a purpose? Is it advancing your story? If not, cut it. Make me care about your characters and get invested in their passions. Please see Best Bondage Erotica 2011-2015 for examples of the types of stories I've published.

Only unpublished stories will be accepted; this means no part of the story can have been published or posted previously anywhere, in print, online, in apps, on blogs, on bulletin boards or private groups, in newsletters, via email or anywhere else and cannot be published or posted in any form prior to the book's publication in late 2019.

Rights (see below): non-exclusive right to publish your story in this anthology in print, ebook, and audiobook form. Authors will retain copyright to their stories. See contract terms below. If you cannot agree to these contract terms, do not submit work to this anthology.

ONLY SUBMIT ONE FINAL, THOROUGHLY PROOFREAD, GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT VERSION OF EACH STORY. Since I will be reading and considering stories as they come in, only the initial story submission will be considered; subsequent versions of the same story will NOT be considered, so please keep this in mind and make sure the submission you send contains exactly the story title, author name and text you would like to see published in the book. If I am interested in a revised version of your story, I will contact you.

How to submit: I will consider a maximum of two stories per author. Submit each story as a separate attachment using an email address that you check regularly. Submit only 2,000-4,000 original, unpublished stories that are not being considered elsewhere. Stories under 2,000 words or over 4,000 words will be automatically rejected. I want only original work that has never been published in whole or in part in any format, including online, apps, blogs, newsletters, social media, print or any other outlet. Must use U.S. grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.). Submit to bestbondageseries@gmail.com by attaching a Word .doc or .docx file, double spaced, Times New Roman Black font and titled BBE1 LastName StoryTitle. At the top of the first page, include legal name, pseudonym (if applicable), mailing address, phone number (only to be used for urgent communication about your story) and 50 word-or-under third person professional biography either on the first page of your story. This should be the exact bio you'd want published in the book. URLs in bios should be listed in the first sentence in this format:

Rachel Kramer Bussel (rachelkramerbussel.com) writes fiction and non-fiction.

All stories must have a title and author name included at the top of the first page with the submission (no untitled stories). Indent half an inch at the start of each paragraph. Use only double spacing for the entire file; do not add extra lines between paragraphs or use any other irregular spacing. If you cannot use Word, submit as both an RTF and include the full submission in the body of an email, including title, story text, bio, name and pseudonym (if applicable), mailing address and phone number. MAKE SURE TO THOROUGHLY PROOFREAD YOUR STORY BEFORE SUBMITTING IT. All stories that are between 2,000-4,000 words and submitted by July 1, 2018 will be considered.

I will confirm that I have received your submission within one week. I will respond to all submissions by August 1, 2019 at the latest. If you have not heard back from me by August 1, 2019 feel free to follow up at that time.

Payment: $75 and 2 copies of the book on publication. Payment will be made only via Paypal (strongly preferred) or U.S check (only for U.S. addresses).

Questions: bestbondageseries@gmail.com (make sure to read the guidelines in full before sending questions) These will be the non-negotiable contract terms. If you are unwilling to sign this contract, DO NOT submit to this anthology.

The parties agree as follows:

I. GRANT OF RIGHTS

Author hereby grants Editor, during the first term of the United States copyright, and any renewals thereof, in the "Work":
a. The non-exclusive right to "publish" (i.e. print, publish, and sell) the Work as part of the Book in printed and digital form in English in the United States and its territories; and
b. The non-exclusive right to "publish" and license the Work as part of the Book in printed and digital form in English in other countries; and
c. The non-exclusive right to publish and license the Work as part of the Book in printed and digital form in English and the right to license, translate and publish the Work as part of the Book in printed and digital form in languages other than English in all countries; and
d. The following non-exclusive subsidiary rights to license and publish the Work as part of the Book in the United States and all foreign countries, to wit: anthologies, magazines, book club editions and reprints; Braille editions; audio, computer disk, all electronic/cyber rights, CD-ROM and microfiche editions; and television productions (including network TV, cable, and pay TV); and
e. The non-exclusive right to excerpt from the Work in non-book printed materials issued by the Publisher and/or its licensee for the sole purpose of promoting the Work, including, but not limited to, bookmarks, post cards, buttons, and t-shirts; and
f. The non-exclusive subsidiary right, for promotional purposes, to serialize the Work in periodicals, newspapers, and magazines.
II. ACCEPTANCE OF MANUSCRIPTS AND CHANGES
a. Editorial revisions to the Work may be made at the suggestion of the Editor and/or Publisher. The title may be changed only by mutual consent of the Author, Editor and Publisher. Editor has final say on the substantive content of the Work.
b. The completed manuscript shall be deemed satisfactory in content to the Editor and Publisher unless within ninety (90) days of its receipt, Publisher or Editor gives Author written notice of the respects in which the manuscript is unsatisfactory. Author shall have thirty (30) days from receipt of that notice to make and submit such changes. c. Editor reserves the right to choose not to include the Work in the Book, if Publisher declines to accept it, or for any other justifiable reason. In such event, this Agreement is null and void; all rights revert to Author, and Editor does not owe Author payment.
III. WARRANTIES AND INDEMNITIES
a. Author represents and warrants that she now owns all rights granted hereunder, free of liens or encumbrances, and has full power and authority to execute this Agreement; and further warrants that the Work is original with her and not in the public domain. Author will give formal written notice of any previous publication of the Work upon presentation of the final manuscript, including editorial addresses of periodicals and/or publishers.
b. Author further represents and warrants that the Work does not infringe statutory copyrights or common law literary rights of others, and does not violate the rights of privacy of, or libel, other persons.
c. Author agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Editor and the Publisher, and the publishing of any reprint or book club edition of the Work licensed by the Publisher, pursuant to the Agreement, against any final judgment for damages (after all appeals have been taken) against them in any action arising out of facts which constitute a breach of the foregoing warranties together with reasonable costs and attorney's fees incurred by them in defending such an action in which such judgment is recovered.
V. COPYRIGHT
Author shall retain copyright of the Work.
VI. PAYMENT Author shall receive $75 to be paid by Editor via
Paypal or U.S. check within 90 days of publication of the Book.
VII. AUTHOR'S COPIES
Publisher will give to Author two (2) free copies of the Anthology.
IX. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
This Agreement shall be binding on the parties and her respective heirs, administrators, successors and assigns.