Join me March 21 in New York for a FREE Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 4 reading

I try to do at least one reading from my Best Women's Erotica of the Year series books for each volume as a way to meet the authors I otherwise just correspond with via email and share their stories live. For Volume 4, I'm thrilled that The Pleasure Chest on the Upper East Side (1150 Second Avenue) in Manhattan is hosting our reading on March 21 from 7-9 pm. It's free and there will be snacks and beverages and free bookmarks and we'll answer your questions and sign your books afterwards! If you know anyone who might like to hear some sexy stories, please let them know. There's no need to RSVP but if you want to do so or spread the word, you can use the Facebook event page. Questions about the reading? Contact The Pleasure Chest or email bweoftheyear@gmail.com and I'll do my best to answer. All 18 and over are welcome! I sometimes get questions about whether these events are "for women" and the answer is no. They're for any adult who wants to hear some erotica out loud!

March 21, 7-9 pm
Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 4 reading
Join editor Rachel Kramer Bussel and contributors Calliope Bloom, Tamsen Parker and Sofia Quintero for a sexy reading from the new anthology, Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 4. Hear about everything from erotic role-playing and BDSM, to a hot professor who gives some sexy extra credit and more! Book signing and Q&A to follow. There is no advance registration or reserved seating for free workshops or events. Attendance is on a first come, first served basis. Early arrival is recommended to secure your spot!
The Pleasure Chest, 1150 Second Avenue, New York, NY, 212-355-6909
Lexington Ave./59 St. (4, 5, 6, N, Q, R)
Lexington Ave./63 St. (F)

Tonight's our big Chicago erotica reading - please join us and help spread the word!

In just under six hours at 6 p.m. central time tonight, I'll be reading with contributors to Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 and Come Again: Sex Toy Erotica: Tara Betts, Rose P. Lethe and Corrine A Silver in Chicago at The Pleasure Chest, 3436 N. Lincoln Avenue (Brown line to Paulina). If you can help spread the word, I'd greatly appreciate it as I dropped the ball a bit with promoting this one, which I was reminded of yesterday as I wandered Chicago and kept seeing kiosks with all the papers I didn't send my listing to (sorry, Chicago!!!). Here's the Facebook event page. I'm truly honored to have these women join me and look forward to hearing them read their sexy stories in their own words. Plus we'll be doing a Q&A afterward so you can ask us anything about the writing process (or me about editing the Best Women's Erotica of the Year series; the deadline to submit to Volume 2 is tomorrow).



It's been a month, which I'll share more about soon, but to put it briefly, March has been a time of upheaval and change and decision making, and one of the conclusions I reached is that I won't be doing any more work travel this year save for Book Expo in May. Travel is both physically draining and expensive and takes time away from my relationship and my other income-generating work writing, teaching and consulting. I do love connecting with people live, but especially through teaching my LitReactor online writing classes, I've realized I can reach more people and take better care of myself when I work closer to home and that's what I'll be doing the rest of the year.

That being said, yesterday I got to see some lovely and unexpected art as I explored Chicago and took photos I've put up on my Instagram account and the Best Women's Erotica of the Year one (go awesome indie bookstores!), including this:

Chicago Best Women's Erotica reading March 31, Erotica 101 and Sex Writing 101 workshops April 1

I'm gearing up to head to Chicago next week for what will probably be my last live events of 2016 as I wind up my work travel for the year. I hope you can make some of these and if you can't, I hope you'll let Chicago folks know! I highly recommend the conference CatalystCon if you're interested in sexuality and activism. I've loved every one I've attended and while this will be my last for a while as I focus closer to home, I encourage you to attend and also to pitch a panel or presentation for their Los Angeles conference in September. For a glimpse into how my in person erotica writing workshops operate, check out this writeup at Brightest Young Things about my workshop last year at Lotus Blooms in Washington, DC.

I wrote a piece for Lady Smut about why live readings are so important to me, and I'm dedicated to spreading the word about what I think is my best, sexiest, strongest, most diverse book, Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 (so far, until Volume 2 comes out!) however I can. The truth is, traveling is expensive and beyond my capacity in time and funds these days, I'm doing it this time because I believe so strongly in this book and its stories and want to share them and give my amazing author a space to share their words in their own voices. I'm honored that The Pleasure Chest is hosting us and has the book in stock (yes, I list every indie store I know of that has my little book right here and would love to add more store names). I'll be documenting the reading on the book's Instagram account.



March 31, 6-7:30 pm
Free Best Women's Erotica of the Year reading
Join Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 editor Rachel Kramer Bussel along with contributors Tara Betts and Rose P. Lethe, plus Corrine A. Silver, author of Wrecked and contributor to Come Again: Sex Toy Erotica, for a fun, free erotica reading. Q&A and book signing to follow.
The Pleasure Chest, 3436 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, 773-525-7151
http://thepleasurechest.com/workshops-ch-erotica-reading-march-31-19815-prd1.htm or Facebook listing



April 1, 9:15 am-12:!5 pm
Erotica Writing 101 workshop
In this three hour workshop Rachel Kramer Bussel, professional erotica author and editor of over 50 erotica anthologies, such as The Big Book of Orgasms, Cheeky Spanking Stories and Serving Him: Sexy Stories of Submission, 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 discover how to incorporate everyday scenarios as well as outlandish fantasies into your writing, and make them fit for particular magazines and anthologies. The class will also cover branding yourself as a writer, using and selecting a good pseudonym, and using social media to promote your work and do outreach. She’ll also talk about submitting your work and keeping up with the thriving erotica market, including anthologies, ebooks, magazines and websites. Please bring paper and writing implements or a laptop to use for in class writing exercises. A bibliography with erotica resources will be provided. Organized by conference CatalystCon but open to all (you do not have to attend CatalystCon to attend). $45/person. Registration open through March 31 at (or $79 for both Erotica Writing 101 and Sex Writing 101).
Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont, IL 60018

April 1, 1:30 pm-4:30 pm
Sex Writing 101 (Non-fiction)
In this three hour workshop, writer and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel will cover all you need to know about writing about sex, including blogging, first-person essays and journalism. You’ll learn how to ethically write about your love life, what editors are looking for, where to find experts on sexuality topics, and how to stay abreast of current sex news. Whether you’re looking to write a sex blog, column, articles or books, you’ll find out how to pitch, how much money you can expect to make, and how to maximize your editorial opportunities. The class will also cover branding yourself as a writer, using and selecting a good pseudonym, using social media to promote your work and do outreach, and how to pitch stories. Rachel is the author of Sex & Cupcakes: A Juicy Collection of Essays, a sex columnist for Philadelphia City Paper and DAME, and was a sex columnist for The Village Voice, Penthouse and The Frisky, and has written about sexuality for Cosmopolitan, The Daily Beast, Elle.com, Glamour, Inked, Marie Claire, O, The Oprah Magazine, Salon, Slate, Time.com, xoJane and many other publications. A resource list covering markets for sex-related pieces, including editors who are actively looking for pitches, will be provided. You do not have to attend CatalystCon to take the workshop. $45/person. Registration open through March 31 at (or $79 for both Erotica Writing 101 and Sex Writing 101).
Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont, IL 60018

Saturday, April 2
I'm also speaking on two panels at CatalystCon! I'm moderating "Sharing Your Sex Life on the Page and the Stage" April 2 from 9:30 am-10:40 am and am part of "Partners in Pleasure: Building bridges between sex positive retailers and educators" that same day from 12:30 pm - 1:40 pm. See the full schedule here.

I want to help you get published with my 2 writing workshops today in Los Angeles: Sex Writing 101 and my free Erotica Writing 101 class

Today is the big day, LA! I'm heading off to SHE (Sexual Health Expo) for my noon class teaching you how to make money writing about your sex life, followed by a book signing at the Pleasure Chest booth. Then tonight is my free erotica writing workshop at The Pleasure Chest in West Hollywood. I hope you can make one or both of these and if you can't, I hope you'll let any friends in the Los Angeles area looking to break into these genres and get published know. I really appreciate any way you can spread the word!

Sunday, January 17, noon to 12:50 pm
Nonfiction Sex Writing 101 workshop (aka, make money writing about your sex life)

I'm teaching this workshop as part of the wonderful SHE (Sexual Health Expo), which runs the weekend of January 16-17 and features workshops by Tristan Taormino, Dirty Lola, Mollena Williams and many others on everything from online dating to anal sex, role-playing and much more. See the full schedule here. Your admission gets you in to the whole weekend; get 2-for-1 admission using code RACHBR at Eventbrite.

Longtime freelance writer Rachel Kramer Bussel will cover all you need to know about writing about sex, including blogging, first-person essays and journalism. You’ll learn how to ethically write about your love life, what editors are looking for, where to find experts on sexuality topics, and how to stay abreast of current sex news. Whether you’re looking to write a sex blog, column, articles or books, you’ll find out what makes an intriguing essay or article, how to pitch, how much money you can expect to make, and how to maximize your editorial opportunities. The class will also cover branding yourself as a writer, using and selecting a good pseudonym, using social media to promote your work and do outreach, and how to pitch stories. Please bring paper and writing implements or a laptop to use for in class writing exercises. Rachel is a sex columnist for DAME and a former sex columnist for The Village Voice, Penthouse, Philadelphia City Paper and The Frisky, and has written about dating and sexuality for Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, The Daily Beast, Glamour, Inked, Marie Claire, O, The Oprah Magazine, Refinery29, Salon, Slate, Time.com, xoJane, The Washington Post and many other publications. A resource list covering markets for sex-related pieces will be provided.



Sunday, January 17, 7 - 9 pm
Free Erotica Writing 101 workshop


Yes, free! This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone of any level to spend two hours writing and learning. My class is always welcoming and judgment-free, and everyone will get a handout at the end listing publishers and resources.

Professional erotica author and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, editor of over 60 anthologies such as Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1, Come Again: Sex Toy Erotica, and The Big Book of Orgasms, 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.

Pleasure Chest, 7733 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-650-1022

Here's a free visual prompt to get you started: use this photo I snapped yesterday in New York to start a story:



Can't make these but want to know more? Subscribe to my newsletter, sign up for one-on-one consulting (see below) or take my in-depth 4-week online LitReactor erotica writing class.

Erotic fiction and nonfiction sex writing critique service

As an editor of over 60 anthologies, I have read thousands of erotica stories and can help you hone your story or sex scene into one that will dazzle on the page and impress editors. As a former sex columnist for The Frisky, Penthouse, The Village Voice and Philadelphia City Paper and current sex columnist for DAME, as well as contributor about sexuality to publications such as Cosmopolitan, The Daily Beast, Glamour, Harper's BAZAAR, Marie Claire, O, The Oprah Magazine, Salon, Slate, Time.com and others, I can help shape your first-person sexuality essay or sex journalism and offer feedback to help expand your reach in the marketplace. For erotic fiction or nonfiction sex writing, you will provide a story, essay or article (or draft) for me to critique and offer feedback and discussion.

Rates are as follows (pay via PayPal button below):

Written critique of up to 5,000 words $100

Written critique of up to 10,000 words $150

Written critique of up to 20,000 words $225

Written critique of up to 5,000 words plus 1 hour phone call $175

Written critique of up to 10,000 words plus 1 hour phone call $225

Written critique of up to 20,000 words plus 1 hour phone call $300

Written critique

Written critique of up to 5,000 words $100.00 USD Written critique of up to 10,000 words $150.00 USD Written critique of up to 20,000 words $225.00 USD

Written critique plus 1 hour phone call

Written critique of up to 5,000 words plus 1 hour phone call $175.00 USD Written critique of up to 10,000 words plus 1 hour phone call $225.00 USD Written critique of up to 20,000 words plus 1 hour phone call $300.00 USD

Once payment is received, I will contact you within 48 hours and have you submit your written work for critique and schedule the phone consultation ASAP.

Hourly pricing for longer projects available upon request.

Questions? Email rachelkramerbussel@gmail.com with "Consulting" in subject line.

See you soon for erotica and sex writing workshops in LA and a free Best Women's Erotica of the Year reading in San Francisco

I'm excited that I've got three live events this month; two on January 17th in Los Angeles and one January 19th in San Francisco. Details below. I know many of you don't live in those areas, so if that's the case, I'd love it if you'd pass on this post or the event info to a friend who is. I don't know how much traveling I'll be doing the rest of the year as I intend to focus on teaching online erotica writing classes (like my next LitReactor one). I'm especially thrilled that one week after the book's official publication date, I get to read with four of my contributors to Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1. I love getting to read authors' work, but love even more getting to hear them do justice to their words out loud.

Thank you very much to SHE, Pleasure Chest and Good Vibrations for hosting me! These are all excellent events/stores I'm proud to work with.

Sunday, January 17, noon to 12:50 pm
Nonfiction Sex Writing 101 workshop (aka, make money writing about your sex life)

I'm teaching this workshop as part of the wonderful SHE (Sexual Health Expo), which runs the weekend of January 16-17 and features workshops by Tristan Taormino, Dirty Lola, Mollena Williams and many others on everything from online dating to anal sex, role-playing and much more. See the full schedule here. Your admission gets you in to the whole weekend; get 2-for-1 admission using code RACHBR at Eventbrite.

Longtime freelance writer Rachel Kramer Bussel will cover all you need to know about writing about sex, including blogging, first-person essays and journalism. You’ll learn how to ethically write about your love life, what editors are looking for, where to find experts on sexuality topics, and how to stay abreast of current sex news. Whether you’re looking to write a sex blog, column, articles or books, you’ll find out what makes an intriguing essay or article, how to pitch, how much money you can expect to make, and how to maximize your editorial opportunities. The class will also cover branding yourself as a writer, using and selecting a good pseudonym, using social media to promote your work and do outreach, and how to pitch stories. Please bring paper and writing implements or a laptop to use for in class writing exercises. Rachel is a sex columnist for DAME and a former sex columnist for The Village Voice, Penthouse, Philadelphia City Paper and The Frisky, and has written about dating and sexuality for Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, The Daily Beast, Glamour, Inked, Marie Claire, O, The Oprah Magazine, Refinery29, Salon, Slate, Time.com, xoJane, The Washington Post and many other publications. A resource list covering markets for sex-related pieces will be provided.



Sunday, January 17, 7 - 9 pm
Free Erotica Writing 101 workshop


Yes, free! This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone of any level to spend two hours writing and learning. My class is always welcoming and judgment-free, and everyone will get a handout at the end listing publishers and resources.

Professional erotica author and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, editor of over 60 anthologies such as Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1, Come Again: Sex Toy Erotica, and The Big Book of Orgasms, 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.

Pleasure Chest, 7733 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046, 323-650-1022



Tuesday, January 19, 6:30-8:30 pm
Free Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 reading

Celebrate one of the hottest books of 2016, Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1! Join editor Rachel Kramer Bussel and contributors Amy Butcher, Rose Caraway, Dorothy Freed, and Jade A. Waters for a sexy reading from these hot, varied pansexual stories by and about a range of daring, feisty, take-charge women, followed by a book signing. Free. Oh, and the store has an Antique Vibrator Museum!
Good Vibrations, 1620 Polk Street (at Sacramento), San Francisco, 415-345-0400