The Great Big Romance Read is reading Pride by Ibi Zoboi in December

For Forbes online, I wrote about The Great Big Romance Read, a month-long worldwide event in December where in-person and online book groups are meeting to discuss Pride by Ibi Zoboi, a Pride and Prejudice remix (it even says so on the cover). You can even join yourself. Book groups are happening at events such as bookstores and libraries and elsewhere, and online book discussion groups, podcasts and YouTube channels are participating, which is one of the things that drew my attention.

The event was organized by romance bookstore The Ripped Bodice and you can learn more in my article. I happened to buy a copy for a teenage cousin of mine before I'd heard about The Great Big Romance Read and since I won't be seeing her until January, I'm hoping to read it myself this month, although sadly, with all my writing about books and some other new assignments, I haven't had as much time to read. I'm hoping I'll have some more time this month.

One of the interviews I'm most proud of doing, ever: Carry On, Warrior author Glennon Doyle Melton for The Fix

I've done dozens, if not hundreds of interviews, because that is one of the things I most love: seeing or reading or experiencing someone's art and getting the honor of picking their brain. And when a book changes my life and makes me rethink it and realize that being flawed isn't a bad thing, but perhaps makes you a stronger, more committed person, if you will it, then I'm even more humbled. For me, reading Glennon Doyle Melton's Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed changed my worldview and made me want to be a better person, based on her example. I'm extremely proud of my interview with her for The Fix. When someone is that raw, real, open and giving, it makes it easy to ask hard questions. Do also read her blog Momastery. She is right: we can do hard things. I'm learning that, baby step by baby step, one second at at time, as I rework myself into someone I can be proud of. In the book and on her blog, she quotes Anaïs Nin: "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." That quote cut me right open because it's so true, and as someone who has lived in fear for what feels like forever, breaking out of that feels beyond liberating. It feels like something I have no words for. So thank you, Glennon, Anaïs, the Universe, for giving me the chance to remake myself into the best possible version of myself, with every moment, every decision, every failure, and reminding me why I need to.

100 free cupcakes at my Bluestockings reading TONIGHT!

photo by Stacie Joy

Tuesday, June 23, 7 pm - 8:30 pm, FREE!
SEXY PRIDE EROTICA READING
Erotica editor and author Rachel Kramer Bussel (First-Timers, Glamour Girls, Up All Night) brings you a very special sexy Pride reading!
100 mini cupcakes from Baked by Melissa (http://www.bakedbymelissa.net) will be served.

True stories and hot queer erotica from the city’s boldest, naughtiest writers. Featuring Bevin Branlandingham (Femmecast, Gayety), Sinclair Sexsmith (Sugarbutch.net), Charlie Vazquez (PANIC! reading series), Kathleen Warnock (Drunken! Careening! Writers!), Xan West (Hurts So Good, Best SM Erotica 2). Free cupcakes will be served and authors' books will be for sale.
Bluestockings Bookstore, 72 Allen Street, NYC
http://www.bluestockings.com
Email rachelkramerbussel at gmail.com if you have any questions.

100 free cupcakes at Tuesday's Sexy Pride Erotica Reading

photo by Stacie Joy

Tuesday, June 23, 7 pm - 8:30 pm, FREE!
SEXY PRIDE EROTICA READING
Erotica editor and author Rachel Kramer Bussel (First-Timers, Glamour Girls, Up All Night) brings you a very special sexy Pride reading!
100 mini cupcakes from Baked by Melissa (http://www.bakedbymelissa.net) will be served.

True stories and hot queer erotica from the city’s boldest, naughtiest writers. Featuring Bevin Branlandingham (Femmecast, Gayety), Sinclair Sexsmith (Sugarbutch.net), Charlie Vazquez (PANIC! reading series), Kathleen Warnock (Drunken! Careening! Writers!), Xan West (Hurts So Good, Best SM Erotica 2). Free cupcakes will be served and authors' books will be for sale.
Bluestockings Bookstore, 72 Allen Street, NYC
http://www.bluestockings.com
Email rachelkramerbussel at gmail.com if you have any questions.

and so do I

Chicago residents, dig this cookie from the always creative Bleeding Heart Bakery. I heart them. And even though it's already July (July!), Happy Belated Pride everyone.


photo via Flickr

The Bleeding Heart Bakery
1955 W. Belmont ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60657
(p)773.327.6934

I was too immersed in my writing crisis this weekend to contemplate being social, let alone social en masse, let alone grapple with the idea of being proud of anything. Pride seemed...overblown. Not applicable.

I got a text around 11 am on Sunday from Sira. He sounded so jubilant and for a second I wished I was at the parade. Then I heard that in SF it was gorgeous and I remembered going there way back in 2001, hanging out with Cara in Dolores Park, bouncing around with Annie in my little skirt and stickers over my nipples, thinking I'd move there. Good times...and happy memories. Things are getting better, bit by bit. I'm not over this writing thing just yet. If it'll have me, I'm in.