Feminist bookstore I want to move into: Book Woman in Austin

Really: just give me a cot and I'll give up the apartment I can't get home to anyway and move in to feminist bookstore Book Woman in Austin. It is amazing! I went there last night to see my friend Shanna Katz, sex educator and author of Oral Sex That'll Blow Her Mind, give a workshop about sexuality, complete with vulva puppet. She was hilarious and informative and in half an hour I learned a lot and had a lot to think about, like the compliment sandwich. My friend Kambri Crews is reading from her memoir Burn Down The Ground on Friday.

I saw that the Delicious Issue (shouldn't every publication have one?) of Curve is out with an article I wrote about Cupcake Royale owner Jody Hall. I discovered on their new books table two by Naomi Shihab Nye I'm coveting, plus Transfer which I'm already a fan of, and the memoir Not Quite Nirvana: A Skeptic's Journey to Mindfulness by Rachel Neuman, which I obviously need to read, not just because she shares my name. I discovered the very first anthology I was ever published in, back in 2000, Best Lesbian Erotica 2001. I was just in awe of the entire place and impressed that while feminist bookstores have come and gone, this one is around and thriving and putting on amazing events. They had a bunch of my erotica books and a healthy sexuality bookcase too! I'm loving it here so much that am half tempted to try to talk my guy into moving here. So yay Austin!


me with ten of my books (and Suite Encounters was on the shelf below)


Shanna Katz with vulva puppet



If you're in Brooklyn and can get out safely, BCakeNY in Prospect Heights is giving out free cupcakes from 5 to 6 today. I will be giving out free candy to trick or treaters at a friend's in Austin!

I want your Frankenstorm sex diary and Austin events with StrangeLove and Shanna Katz

I'm in sunny, beautiful Austin, and will soon have photos and video clips from my wonderful erotica panel at Paramount Theatre (felt so fancy!) with Pat Tucker at the outstanding Texas Book Festival. The organizers went above and beyond and have even been helpful to those of us stuck in Austin due to Hurricane Sandy. I am still editing weekly sex diaries at Daily Intel and I'd love someone who's in the eye of Frankenstorm to write one starting today and cover Frankenstorm sex. Email me at sexdiaries at nymag.com and I'll send you details. Did you know 70% of Americans have had sex during a thunderstorm or tornado? Find out the storm/sex connection at Buzzfeed Shift.

Below are two fun events in Austin and as long as I get home in time, I'll still be at Williamsburg, Brooklyn sex shop Shag reading Cheeky Spanking Stories to you in the dark.

Tonight the band StrangeLove (stream their music free at their site!) perform at 12:30 a.m. at Saxon Pub at 1320 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin.

Tomorrow, October 30th at 7 pm, hear Shanna Katz give an oral sex workshop at feminist bookstore (remember those? they still exist but need your support!) at Bookwoman, 5501 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin. Details:

BECOME AN ORAL SEX AFICIONADO

You can’t be a superstar sex partner until you’ve mastered the subtle art of cunnilingus. For starters, you need to get your timing down, learn what licks feel good and how to be sure your partner is truly enjoying your efforts. Luckily, Oral Sex That’ll Blow Her Mind teaches all this and a whole lot more.

Whether you’re just getting started or are practically an oral expert, this book has just what you need. It’s packed with tips and techniques to improve those tingling tongue moves and features tastefully erotic photos of positions perfect for oral pleasuring.

Oral Sex That’ll Blow Her Mind is far more than a set of skills. It explains how cunnilingus helps you feel connected with your partner (whether you are the giver or the receiver) and how to enrich that experience.