What people are saying about my erotica writing workshops

I'm gearing up to book some fall workshops (if you're interested, email me at rachelkramerbussel at gmail.com) in places like Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, and hopefully Chicago, Milwaukee and Portland, Maine too, but I am revved up about teaching and want to visit more schools, stores, conferences, groups, etc. First up is New York City again on May 30 from 7:30-9 p.m. for New York Academy of Sex Education on the Upper East Side ($25/person, you must sign up in advance). Also sign up for the Academy's latest newsletter has details on all their upcoming workshops on things like embracing your inner sex geek, navigating non-monogamy and claiming beauty with the wonderful Jo Weldon, sexuality and disability, talking to your kids about sex and more (hint: some of them may be used as erotica fodder!).

Here's what people are saying about my workshops:

"Rachel Kramer Bussel's love of erotic creativity, the craft of writing and her desire to support fellow erotic writers is joyful to experience. In her workshop she will send you to the depth of your erotic imagination and leave you feeling inspired to explore, write and share like you never have before."
Ducky Doolittle

"Rachel's workshop at Self Serve provided a really excellent opportunity for writers interested in erotica to talk to and ask questions of a leader in the industry, who is incredibly friendly and accessible. Rachel shared with participants tips and tricks to find ways to keep erotica topics and writing interesting and new, which is a very valuable skill for writers."
Hunter Riley, Store Manager, Self Serve (Albuquerque)

Rachel Kramer Bussel brought her enthusiasm, sharp skills and years of experience to the class. The format allowed for plenty of writing time, sharing time and a good amount of Q and A. I think even professional writers would learn a lot from Rachel. She's definitely welcome back to teach in our store any time!"
Lucky Tomaszek, Education Coordinator, The Tool Shed (Milwaukee)

"I loved attending Rachel's Erotica Writing workshop. Whether you're a professional erotica writer or a hobbyist, her class has something for you. She's an excellent facilitator and gives valuable suggestions and feedback for making your writing sexier and more compelling."
Kate McCombs, sex educator at katemccombs.com

"When Rachel gave a workshop at the University of Pennsylvania last year, she offered both her encouragement and her experience with erotic writing, with provocative writing prompts and plenty of erotica books for reference. Never before have Penn students been so keen to learn about writing as when Rachel was coaxing erotic stories out of them."
Arielle Pardes, UPenn student

The Bedhead Redhead's Superhero Sex Shop Tour

I love that blogger The Redhead Bedhead, whose tagline is "On a mission to save the world from mediocre sex," has visited so many wonderful sex toy stores as part of her Superhero Sex Shop Tour, including Good Vibrations, where we held the recent reading for The Big Book of Orgasms, Self Serve in Albuquerque, where I just did an erotica writing workshop, and Nomia in Portland, Maine, where I'm doing one on Tuesday, December 3rd, from 7:30-9, which, hint hint, is about to sell out, so call the store at 207.773.4774 to register. Check out all her posts and recommendations.

Albuquerque greetings, with a side of head tingling, green chile fudge and Rio Grande susnet

It's exactly 5 a.m., which is pretty typical for my atypical sleep patterns while traveling, especially so on this 38th birthday trip. So far, Albuquerque has been wonderful, not just for the sun and the sights, but for the people, who have gone out of their way to be kind to me, so much so I've even been invited back in May by a new friend, a lifelong resident who was kind enough to show me around. I am looking forward to tonight's erotica writing worskhop at the outstanding Self Serve, which I got to check out the other day while taking a walk and stumbling across it. I bought some cards, which are part of what keeps my relationship alive while I'm traveling, and am looking forward to teaching surrounded by sex toys. I was quite tickled and amused to see my name in the subject line of their recent email along with their head tingler sale:



Plus they stock lots of my books:



I was impressed by the bus system - I had walked and taken the bus (only $1) there from the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, which was small and a bit out of the way but interesting, where I got to see things like the following, and it made me want to ride in a balloon, though that'll probably have to wait until my next trip (as, most likely, will the tram, so good thing I'm planning to return!):









I've been wanting to check out The Candy Lady since reading Samira Kawash's book Candy: A Century of Panic and Pleasure (she is also known as the Candy Professor, which is one of the best website names I've heard). Well, Candy Lady did not disappoint in any way. I tried green chile fudge, ate a piece each of almond toffee and dark chocolate covered peach, dried apricot and dried pineapple and sent some fudge home to my guy. If you are in Old Town, I definitely recommend checking them out:



I'm enjoying this issue of Albuquerque the Magazine and was pleased to see I'd already tried one place on their must-eat nachos list, Little Anita's. HOping to sneak in a few more while I'm here. One of the best things I've eaten was the green chile cheese fries at Gecko's. Delicious!



Something I didn't try but nonetheless admired were the fall leaf cookies at Flying Star Cafe:



And lastly, that sunset on the Rio Grande, where we took a lovely walk and I learned that the Sandia Mountains are named that for the Spanish word for watermelon, sandia, since the sky turns lovely shades of pink and red.

Albuquerque and Austin, here I come!

I'm flying out to Albuquerque on Saturday night so I can spend Sunday, my birthday, there, and you can read more about that in the "Shush!" issue of TueNight. Very excited for sun and art for a week in New Mexico, and to meet the staff of Self Serve at Tuesday night's erotica writing workshop (7:30-9, you can still sign up on their site!). Speaking of Albuquerque, thank you so much to Weekly Alibi for this glowing review of The Big Book of Orgasms:

Keep reading, and you will find gay, lesbian, and bisexual groupings alongside the hetero hook-ups in long-term relationships, Dominant/submissive relationships, ex-relationships, and no relationships—casual and free. Writers Suleikha Snyder, Sinclair Sexsmith, Elizabeth Coldwell, Bussel herself and many more put into words the dirtiest thoughts of exquisite pleasure.

The stories are short, so choose your hand or vibrator speed carefully. Don’t be surprised when you have to dog-ear pages to return to your favorites. You’ll want to revisit these stories. Or should I say—you’ll want to come again.

I'll be exploring Albuquerque and Santa Fe, then heading on to Austin...

Where on Tuesday, November 19th, from 7:30-9, I'll be at one of my favorite feminist bookstores, Bookwoman, to teach Erotica 101. Call 512-472-2785 to register.



Then I'll be telling a true sex story at Bedpost Confessions on November 21st, also in Austin.

If you know anyone in Albuqeruque or Austin, please let them know! Also on the horizon: December 3rd erotica writing workshop at Nomia, 24 Exchange Street, Suite 215 in Portland, Maine, from 7:30-9. You can sign up for that one by calling 207-773-4774. It's limited to 18 people and is filling up fast, so if you are considering going, please sign up early Details on all my events are on my website, where you can also sign up for my newsletter on the left-hand side. Thanks!

My feminist sex toy store and bookstore tour: Northampton, San Francisco, Albuquerque, Austin and Portland, Maine

I wanted to put all my upcoming events in one post, and highlight the feminist sex toy stores who are community forces and who help keep people like me in business by providing spaces for events such as erotica writing workshops and lots of others. I had a fabulous time teaching at The Tool Shed in Milwaukee, where the only reason I resisted buying a toy was because I didn't want to subject it to the TSA in my carry-on luggage. I did buy this card though to send to my boyfriend, who told me it was the best card ever, so that worked out well:



So here's what's coming up (the workshop description is the same for all Erotica 101 workshops), with a few assorted other events like Bedpost Confessions and Literary Mischief in NYC thrown in, and I am looking into online classes, but first am focused on making these a success. If you know anyone in these cities who might like my events, please let them know.

November 3, 6-8 pm
Erotica 101 in Northampton, MA
Oh My Sensuality Shop, 122 Main Street, Northampton, MA, 413-584-9669
official Facebook page
Rachel Kramer Bussel, professional erotica author and editor of over 50 erotica anthologies, such as The Big Book of Orgasms, Women in Lust, Please, Sir and Please, Ma'am, 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. 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. Please bring paper or writing implements or a laptop to use for in class writing exercises. A bibliography with erotica resources will be provided.
$20/person, please call 413-584-9669 to reserve a seat.

November 6, 6:30 pm
Free reading from The Big Book of Orgasms in San Francisco
The Big Book of Orgasms: 69 Sexy Stories (Cleis Press) is editor Rachel Kramer Bussel's latest and greatest erotica anthology. This climactic collection of pansexual short shorts are perfect for bedtime reading to a lover or on your own. Whether getting off from exhibitionism, voyeurism, hot wax, dirty talk or a very special pair of blue jeans, the characters in The Big Book of Orgasms go all out for the Big O. From vanilla to kinky, and everything in between, there's something for all erotic readers here. At this special reading, Bussel will be joined by contributors Lily K. Cho, Malin James, Crystal Jordan, Sinclair Sexsmith, Donna George Storey, B.D. Swain, Virgie Tovar, Jade A. Waters and Xan West for an evening of steamy stories that's sure to leave you hot and bothered.
Good Vibrations, 1620 Polk Street (at Sacramento Street), San Francisco, CA 94109, 415-345-0400

November 12, 7:30 pm
Erotica 101 in Albuquerque
$20/person, $35/pair. Register at link below.
Self Serve Toys, 3904B Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, 505-265-5815, info at selfservetoys.com

November 19, 7-8:30 pm
Erotica 101 in Austin
official Facebook page
$15 per person. Call 512-472-2785 to register.
Bookwoman, 5501 N Lamar Blvd A-105 Austin, Texas 78751

November 21, 8 pm
Bedpost Confessions
I will be sharing a sex story at this three-years-running sex and storytelling night! $10 at the door.
The North Door, 501 N I-35, Austin, Texas

November 26, 6-8 pm
Literary Mischief with Slash Coleman. $10 admission.
Loft 227, 227 W. 29th Street, New York

December 3, 7:30-9 pm
Erotica 101 writing workshop
Nomia, 24 Exchange Street, Suite 215, Portland, Maine
Seating is limited and we expect this workshop to fill up FAST!
Please call the shop at 207.773.4774 to reserve your spot! $20 per person.

Friday night radio: Sex Out Loud hosted by Tristan Taormino

I'm thrilled to be returning to Tristan Taormino's Sex Out Loud radio show this Friday night, October 11th, at 8 pm EST, and that Matie Fricker of Self Serve Toys in Albuquerque will also be on, because I'm teaching Erotica 101 there on November 12th. Follow @SexOutLoudRadio on Twitter for the latest news and guests, and listen and call in (if you can't make it Friday, you can listen afterward, click link below for full details). Oh, and I added a new sentence to my bio: "She’s written erotica about Monica Lewinsky, washing dishes, boxing, an oral sex restaurant, French fries, fisting, bukkake, face slapping, snow, ice, hot wax, a spanking machine and many other topics." From the site:

This week’s show is live, so find out all the ways to listen here so you can call in with questions at 1-866-472-5788, join the discussion on Facebook or Twitter, or e-mail me via tristan(at)puckerup.com and I’ll read them live on the air!

10 things you'll learn in my erotic writing workshops in New York, Milwaukee and Albuquerque

I'm gearing up for 3 erotic writing workshops (hopefully others will be booked soon) and wanted to share some of the things you'll learn in my workshop (which will differ slightly in each city). Those upcoming events (sign up at the links below to secure a spot) are being held:

Friday, September 20, 7:30-8:45 pm, NYC, $25
New York Academy of Sex Education, 81 White Street, Tribeca
All ticket holders are automatically part of the night raffle which includes sex toys, lube and erotic books! Prizes compliments of… The Pleasure Chest, Tantus and Sliquid.

Friday, September 27, 8-9:30 pm, Milwaukee, $20
The Tool Shed, 2427 N. Murray Ave

Tuesday, November 12, Albuquerque, 7:30-9 p.m., $20/person; $35/pair
Self Serve Toys, 3904b Central Ave SE

1. What an erotic story is

2. How much sex you need in an erotic story

3. How much money you can make writing erotica

4. How to incorporate everyday objects into your erotica

5. How to turn your own sexual experiences into erotica

6. How to write about sexual activities you haven't done

7. How to write about characters who are different from you

8. How to incorporate pop culture into your erotica

9. How to extend the life of an erotica story into multiple stories

10. How to widen the number of writing markets where you can sell your work

Want to learn more about erotica writing right now? Read my "5 Ways to Use Technology To Write Erotica" at Medium.

3 erotica events and my erotic writing tips

When I was in Vermont last weekend (more on that soon), I was perusing alt weekly Seven Days and found so many classes and events that would make great settings for erotica stories. There's more about using both technology (and much of it is applicable to whatever's around you, including event listings) to write erotica in "5 Ways to Use Technology to Write Erotica" (if you like my piece, please click "recommend" at the bottom).

I have 3 upcoming events in Manhattan, Milwaukee and Albuquerque -- and I'd love to visit your college or store or conference to give an erotic writing workshop! Email me at rachelkb at gmail.com with "Erotica 101" in the subject line for my rates.

September 25, 7-9 pm (free but you MUST RSVP to info at vicamillersalons.com)
Vica Miller Fall Erotica Salon 287 Spring Street, NYC
Featuring Liesl Schillinger, The Other Room author Kim Triedman, Fifty Shades of Dorian Gray author Nicole Audrey Spector and me, reading from my nudist hotel story "Marks" in Cheeky Spanking Stories
Full details here



September 27, 8-9:30 pm
Erotica 101 Writing Workshop, Milwaukee Sign up at The Tool Shed
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 per person

PLEASE NOTE: When you pay/register for a class online, your name will be added to the guest list for the event-- tickets will not be mailed. Please arrive a few minutes early to check in with the front desk.
2427 N. Murray Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211, 414-906-5304

November 12, 7:30-9 pm
Erotica 101 Writing Workshop, Albuquerque
same description as above, $20/person; $35/pair, register online at above link to reserve your spot
3904B Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, 505-265-5815, info at selfservetoys.com

Hi from MOMENTUM

I'm having a wonderful time at MOMENTUM! You can follow what's happening via the hashtag #mcon on Twitter. I've been to panels on sex worker rights, blogging and body image and fat so far. I shot a video for gasm.org with Jamye Waxman, met my fellow November 10th birthday sharer, Best Sex Writing 2012 contributor and Naked at Our Age author Joan Price and lots of others. I also added to my to do list to do a workshop at Self Serve Toys in Albuquerque, who made this Viva La Vibrator sticker.


my awesome boyfriend drove to Virginia; I put my feet up