Happy publication day, Come Again: Sex Toy Erotica

Today is the official release date of Come Again: Sex Toy Erotica, which is racking up some great reviews on Amazon! So much work goes into an anthology, from reading dozens of submissions, selecting the stories, which in this case had to balance gender of protagonists and a variety of toys, both the types that exist, fictional ones and household items, then editing, copyediting, cover copy and now the happiest stage, sending books out to reviewers, paying authors and promoting the finished book. I have big dreams for this one, but one book promotion at a time. I hope you'll check it out and spread the word, and I will be sharing all over (@comeagainbook on Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook) when I hear of stores stocking it. Right now I know indie bookstore Red Emma's in Baltimore has signed copies, it's on its way to indie bookstore Charis Circle in Atlanta, and Early to Bed in Chicago will be ordering it soon.



You can buy it there in print or at your local bookstore or sex toy store (ask them for it and they will order it if they don't have it in stock), as well as on Kindle, Nook and iBooks. I'm hosting a Facebook book release party online until midnight EST and at the official site, comeagainbook.com there's more info about the book and Q&As with some of the contributors. Happy pub day to my second favorite book I've ever edited!

I tried the We-Vibe vibrator during sex

You can read about what happened in this week's Philadelphia City Paper sex column. If you like the column, I'd love it if you'd share it via the social media buttons at the top, and I welcome ideas for future columns at rachelkb at gmail.com with "Column" in the subject line. Thanks to sex toy stores Sexploratorium, Kink Shoppe and Early to Bed for their couples' sex toy recommendations.

See you soon in Chicago, Milwaukee, New York and at my first online only erotica writing class

I've got a lot going on and am doing my best to make sure each event is as wonderful as it can be. I've been so inspired by the classes I've been teaching and the writing that's come out of them. I'll also be sending out my newsletter closer to the beginning of each month and am giving away free books to subscribers, so if you want in on the free book action and to get my monthly musings and updates in one email, subscribe on the left-hand side of rachelkramerbussel.com. I'm home very briefly in between travels and on deadline, so I will share more as soon as I can about my very first library talk. It was an honor and I think Portland Public Library for having me and Gina Rourke to speak.

I'm gearing up for my erotica writing workshops in Chicago (September 28, save if you bring a friend, tickets online at link below or at the door), Milwaukee (September 30), New York (October 24) and my first online only class which runs for 4 weeks for LitReactor, in which we'll be digging very deep into the world of erotic writing and how to write and get published. I'll be getting the scoop directly from some top editors and sharing it with LitReactor students in this small group (capped at 16). The best part is you can be totally anonymous and take the class at your leisure, at 3 in the morning or 3 in the afternoon, anywhere in the world. More information on all the events are below and if you have any questions, email me at rachelkramerbussel at gmail.com with "Workshop" in the subject line.

September 28, 6:30-8 pm
Erotica 101 writing workshop, Chicago
Professional erotica author and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, editor of over 50 anthologies such as The Big Book of Orgasms, Flying High and Best Bondage Erotica 2014, will take you through the ins and outs of modern erotic writing, from getting started, finding your voice, and incorporating your surroundings, pop culture, and personal experiences into your stories to crafting a range of characters and settings and submitting your work. In this supportive, welcoming workshop environment, you’ll learn how to write vividly about everyday scenarios as well as outlandish fantasies, and make them fit for particular publications in the thriving erotica market. This workshop will address the recent boom in erotica inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey, provide examples of well written erotica, and will include multiple writing exercises. You’ll be given a handout listing major markets and further reading suggestions. No previous writing experience required. Please bring laptop or pen and paper. $20/person or $35/two people. Register online or at the door.
Early to Bed, 5044 North Clark Street, Chicago, 773-271-1219

September 30, 8:30 pm
Erotica 101 writing workshop, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Professional erotica author and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel will take you through the ins and outs of modern erotic writing. Learn how to get started, find your voice, and write against type. You'll learn how to incorporate everyday scenarios as well as outlandish fantasies into your writing, and make them fit for particular magazines and anthologies. She'll also talk about submitting your work 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. Paper and writing implements will be provided or you can use your own laptop. $20/person; register online or at the door (call to confirm door sales if it's the day of, they will be available unless class is sold out). Doors open at 8:15 pm.
The Tool Shed, 2427 N. Murray Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 414-906-5304

October 16-November 13 4-week online LitReactor erotica writing class



Online only class limited to 16 people; attend any time and get critiqued by me and fellow students and receive guidance about publishing your work. Click through for more details about what each weekly class will cover, assignments and goals for the class. $325/person.

Let's talk about sex.

Specifically, writing about it.

First, it ain't easy to write. Sex itself can be awkward enough, but describing it? Without sounding like a goofball? That can be tough.

Second, there's this whole big genre totally devoted to sex called erotica, which has turned into a dirty word among writers—especially those who think Fifty Shades of Grey is all it has to offer.

But you can write sex with a deft hand, with skill and grace, in a way that reveals character and emotion. And you'll learn to do that in Between the Sheets with Rachel Kramer Bussel.

October 24, 7:30-9 pm
Writing Erotica for Pleasure and Money, New York City (for New York Academy of Sex Education)
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.

You are sure to find growth with the very prolific, award winning erotica author and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel. She will take you through the ins and outs of modern erotic writing. Learn how to get started, find your voice, and write against type.

She will talk about incorporating everyday scenarios as well as outlandish fantasies into your writing. Rachel will teach you how to groom your writing to fit particular magazines and anthologies. And how to submit your work and keeping up with the thriving erotica market (including anthologies, ebooks, magazines and websites.) Materials needed: Please bring a laptop or paper and pen. $25/person. Advance registration required.
The Pleasure Chest, 1150 Second Avenue, New York City (Upper East Side, accessible by 4/5/6/N/R/F trains), 646-470-5129

Sexy Chicago scavenger hunt and my erotica writing workshop September 28th

I'm looking forward to returning to Chicago on September 28th and lo and behold, there's a fabulous sounding Filthy Scavenger Hunt at the Field Museum being put on by Sex Geekdom Chicago that I plan to attend! Thanks to Cooper of podcast Life on the Swingset for the heads up. Here's part of the official description:

Sex Geeks Unite!

We're going to be scouring the Field Museum looking for filthy, suggestive, and legitimately educationally sexual objects and exhibits. Your mission is to wander the glorious halls of one of the greatest museums on Earth, armed with your trusty cell phone, and take pictures of naughty things. The most creative and interesting may win something awesome.

It goes from noon to 4, followed by coffee, and then you can head over to Early to Bed for my erotica writing workshop there from 6:30-8! Even more awesomeness? Early to Bed is celebrating 13 years (!!) in business. Follow them @earlytobed on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest news. Also, isn't it great that they offer a $5 discount on 2 tickets when you bring a friend (or date)? That's incentive to find a writing buddy and come to the class together.

September 28, 6:30-8 pm
Erotica 101 writing workshop, Chicago
Professional erotica author and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, editor of over 50 anthologies such as The Big Book of Orgasms, Flying High and Best Bondage Erotica 2014, will take you through the ins and outs of modern erotic writing, from getting started, finding your voice, and incorporating your surroundings, pop culture, and personal experiences into your stories to crafting a range of characters and settings and submitting your work. In this supportive, welcoming workshop environment, you’ll learn how to write vividly about everyday scenarios as well as outlandish fantasies, and make them fit for particular publications in the thriving erotica market. This workshop will address the recent boom in erotica inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey, provide examples of well written erotica, and will include multiple writing exercises. You’ll be given a handout listing major markets and further reading suggestions. No previous writing experience required. Please bring laptop or pen and paper. $20/person or $35/two people. Register online.
Early to Bed, 5044 North Clark Street, Chicago, 773-271-1219

Sex toy stores selling The Big Book of Submission

Here are the sex toy stores I know of so far selling The Big Book of Submission: 69 Kinky Tales (click on the title to read 69 excerpts) - if your favorite one doesn't have it in stock, ask! I'm hoping to add more names to this list very soon. I've been to all of these stores save for She Bop, and can't wait to read there in September.

Early to Bed (Chicago) - and I teach Erotica Writing 101 there September 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Lotus Blooms (Alexandria, Virginia)

Secret Pleasures (Washington, DC) - it's not in their online store yet, but it's in their brick and mortar store

She Bop (Portland, Oregon) - coming very soon, as am I (September 10th, to be exact)

Sugar (Baltimore, Maryland) - I'm not seeing it in their online store, but it's in their brick and mortar store

The Tool Shed (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) - and I teach Erotica Writing 101 there September 30 at 8:30 p.m.

Chicago erotic writing workshop September 28th at sex toy store Early to Bed

I know it's early, but since my workshops have limited space, I wanted to let you know that tickets are now on sale for my September 28 Erotica 101 writing workshop at sex toy store Early to Bed in Chicago. It's from 6:30-8 pm and costs $20/person (or $35 for 2 people). I tailor each workshop to my location and to helping writers get published ASAP so will be highlighting relevant erotica calls for submissions and answering questions about publishing. Looking forward to it!

Sex toys on my wishlist

I found these on the site of Chicago sex toy store Early to Bed, where I did a reading way back in 2004. Time to go back, I think, especially because Chicago is seemingly cupcake central. Am hoping for early 2010 for a return visit.

Flogger noise = "a dirty Rice Krispies commercial"

I love this flogger review (yeah, I know it's from 2007, but I can still appreciate it, right? Is there an expiration date on linking?) over at fabulous feminist sex toy store Early to Bed (Chicago). It's short, sweet, to the point, and gives a breakfast cereal shoutout:

Some people think you have to join a dungeon or have criminal tendencies to enjoy the benefits of a good flogging, whether giving or receiving, but this is not the case. On the contrary, the complex pleasure of enduring, witnessing, causing or sharing another’s pain can be a pretty amazing experience. A much more gratifying kind of pain than, say, stubbing a toe or walking into a glass door, pain that you actually want (to inflict or endure) is a different beast altogether, a sexy beast, which is why floggers like Molly come in so handy in a pinch (or when you’re tired of being pinched). A 12-inch mini flogger with 18 3/8 inch tails, Molly is a perfect toy for beginner flog-ers and flog-ees. Made with a very soft, supple and sensual leather, Molly offers a terrific pop, with little sting and almost no thud. (that sounds like a dirty Rice Krispies commercial)

A great genital or chest whip, mini floggers are kinder and gentler implements of skin sensation, meaning they won’t leave irreparable damage, unlike riding crops or listening to a lot of Mariah Carey. In general, the more tails, the more bite a flogger will have, so mini floggers are good for testing out the waters of your pain tolerance.

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