See you at CatalystCon for Erotica and Sex Writing 101 workshops!

I've got a heavy deadline day today so will recap my recent writings as soon as I can, but wanted to share that I will be at CatalystCon this weekend at the Hilton Crystal City, 2399 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia (Crystal City stop on the blue line). Tomorrow I am teaching Erotica Writing 101 from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm and Sex Writing 101 (nonfiction) from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Classes are $45 each or $79 for both. You can register online at Eventbrite through 11:30 pm tonight (March 26) or else in person from 8:45 to 9 am or 12:45 to 1 pm tomorrow with me directly (bring cash). Find out more about the workshops on the Catalyst site. Otherwise, see you CatalystCon folks at the opening keynote session!

So far, CatalystCon has been the only place I've taught Sex Writing 101 but I plan to bring that class online soon. Almost all my teaching will be moving online after May, save for CatalystCon and possibly a few other very special events. I will send announcements in my monthly newsletter (see blog's left-hand side or my website) and post them on Twitter and Facebook.

A little morning magic

It's 7:44 a.m., which at home is usually when I've already eaten breakfast, drank one cup of coffee and commotion is happening in my home. This morning, after a week where I was pretty much knocked out by a cold, moving and thinking extremely slowly, not leaving the house and not even craving a drop of coffee, I'm recovered and awoke at my friend's house in Richmond. The curtains are pulled so I actually was surprised at the time; I would have guessed a few hours earlier. The room is lit only by a string of colored lights hung on the wall, the only noise what I think is the humidifier she kindly left for me.

I can't emphasize enough how glorious it felt to let myself sleep as long as I wanted, to have traveled on two airplanes (I took one from Newark to Boston, then one from Boston to Richmond, because JetBlue has some amazingly cheap fares on from BOS to RVA), and to be able to take a big breath through my nose. That is my gratitude for the day, as I embark on nine days of travel and events and what, if I think too hard about it, feels like chaos. I haven't even turned the lights on yet because the dark and quiet feel cozy and welcoming.

In my bedroom at home, the sun starts to creep in pretty early, and I appreciate that since it makes the room seem bigger and brighter. Lately I've taken to sitting on the floor in our hallway upstairs to edit pieces, absorbing the sun via our skylight. Some would say that's ridiculous given that I have an office to use, but I like to mix it up. Most weekdays will find me working in an array of spots in our home, because I need the motion after I get restless.

But sometimes what I need is, literally, to rest. That's what I needed this week, when I gave my mind a break. Even though it went against all my instincts, I forced myself not to start any new pieces, but to catch up on old ones until I felt fully capable of tackling anything new. So often, way too often, I get sucked into my to do list immediately upon waking up. I will emerge from sleep in a near panic, or even a full on panic, worried that I am "behind" on urgent tasks. It's an unsettling way to live that I'm trying to curb, because it's just not feasible in the long term, or even, really, the short term.

I am working on working smarter and saner. On being more present in my personal life and relationship. On putting all of myself into my writing and editing and teaching when I'm doing it, but then letting it go and coming back to it refreshed. It's challenging, both because I worry about money, and because so much of my writing work stems from my life. That doesn't always mean I'm cribbing from my foibles and actions, but that those inform the ideas I pitch, whether it's an element of pop culture I'm interested in or something I do that troubles or intrigues me that I want to flesh out on the page. So yes, I'm a work in progress, forever. I'm also the kind of person who often needs big signs to lead the way, and this week, my cold was that sign. It's already changed my approach to 2015; I once had grand plans for all kinds of events, and now I'm pulling back from those and focusing on a smaller number of total events that will have more of a positive impact but won't leave me utterly drained of energy and excitement. I worry sometimes that I will burn out, especially in a month like this last one. I don't think I will if I figure out the best practices for me, and am willing to change course when the ones I was trying stop working.

And now, I'm off to finish a column before I head to Fountain Bookstore to sign books (Richmond folks, I'll be there from 12:30-2:30 and if you can't make it, I'll be leaving them with autographed copies of my titles). There are few places I love more than bookstores!

See you in Richmond, Charlottesville, Baltimore and Arlington!

I'm gearing up for my upcoming events in Virginia and Maryland, specifically Richmond (Marh 20), Charlottesville (March 22), Baltimore (March 24) and Arlington (March 27 and 28 at CatalystCon). All the details are below. I'm also very excited to check out my friend's restaurant Blue Pit BBQ in Baltimore. You can expect a full report on it!

March 20, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Book signing and meet and greet, Richmond, Virginia
I'll be signing my latest titles at independent bookstore Fountain Bookstore - get one for you or as a gift!
Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary Street, Shockoe Slip, Richmond, Virginia, 804-788-1594



LoveFest Workshop: “Screaming To Be Ignored” — Capturing the Reader’s Attention
Sun. March 22, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Barnes & Noble
1035 Emmet Street North, Barracks Road Shopping Center, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Hosted by: Barnes & Noble

“Every day hundreds of stories cross my desk, each one screaming to be ignored.” — Gordon Lish. How do you make your story capture a reader’s attention instantly? In this free workshop, anonymous would-be authors may submit short works: a one page query or the first ten pages of a novel. Published authors and savvy editors will use these submissions as a launching point to discuss their favorite writing craft tips.

Want to submit your work? The first 30 submissions received the day of the event will be considered on a first come/first serve basis. Look for the submissions box at the Barnes & Noble Information Desk. The store opens at 9 AM.

Participating authors and editors: Joanna Bourne, Mary Burton, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Melissa Marr, Mary Jo Putney. Moderator: Kimberly Kincaid.

LoveFest Book Signing: Meet & Greet Romance Authors
Sun. March 22, 2:45 pm - 4:30 pm
Barnes & Noble
1035 Emmet Street North, Barracks Road Shopping Center, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Hosted by: Barnes & Noble

Come join thirteen romance authors for one-on-one book chat in a friendly setting. Authors are available for book signing and photographs.

Participating authors: Joanna Bourne, Mollie Cox Bryan, Mary Burton, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Avery Flynn, Sabrina Jeffries, Kimberly Kincaid, Kieran Kramer, Sue London, Melissa Marr, Pam Morsi, Mary Jo Putney.

March 24, 6:30-8 pm
Erotica 101 Writing Workshop, Baltimore
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. $25/person. Register in store, by calling 410-467-2632 or online at Brown Paper Tickets.
Sugar, 1001 West 36th Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 410-467-2632

March 27, 9:15 am – 12:15 pm
Erotica 101 workshop, CatalystCon, Arlington
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.

This class will take place on Friday, March 27, 2015 at the CatalystCon host hotel. You must purchase a ticket to this workshop separately from CatalystCon on the registration page. $45/person. Register here.
Hilton Crystal City, 2399 Jefferson Davis Way, Arlington, Virginia

March 27, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Sex Writing 101 (Nonfiction), CatalystCon, Arlington
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 has been a sex columnist for The Village Voice, Penthouse and The Frisky, and has written about sexuality for Cosmopolitan, The Daily Beast, Glamour, Inked, Salon, xoJane and many other publications. A resource list covering markets for sex-related pieces will be provided.

This class will take place on Friday, March 27, 2015 at the CatalystCon host hotel. You must purchase a ticket to this workshop separately from CatalystCon on the registration page. $45/person. Register here.
Hilton Crystal City, 2399 Jefferson Davis Way, Arlington, Virginia

March 27, 8:30 pm
CatalystCon Opening Keynote Plenary Address
I'll be joining the esteemed Francisco Ramirez, Kristin Beck and Melanie Davis for this opening panel moderated by Lynn Comella to kick off CatalystCon.
CatalystCon, Hilton Crystal City, 2399 Jefferson Davis Way, Arlington, Virginia

March 28, 9:30 am - 10:40 am
CatalystCon panel, “Sharing Sex Stories from the Page to the Stage”
Whether on the page, stage or podcast, sharing personal sex stories means making public what’s often deemed private and inviting audiences to read, hear—and judge. What are the biggest challenges and rewards of airing our “dirty” laundry? How do we decide which sex stories are worth telling? Is there such a thing as TMI? How can we be deeply honest while honoring others’ boundaries (and having ours respected)? How can we tie our lives into what’s happening in the larger world and further social and political change? Is writing about your sex life different than sharing it live or via podcast? This panel will explore what it’s like to invite readers, listeners and audiences inside our bedrooms, and beyond. Featuring Cooper Beckett, blogger and founder of podcast Life on the Swingset, Twanna A. Hines, blogger, Metro sex columnist and creator/performer of one-woman Capital Fringe show I Füçkèd Your Country, and Jillian Keenan, who’s written about BDSM and sexuality for The New York Times, Slate and elsewhere, and is at work on a book on Shakespeare and sexuality. Moderated by Rachel Kramer Bussel, Philadelphia City Paper sex columnist and author of the personal essay collection Sex & Cupcakes.
CatalystCon, Hilton Crystal City, 2399 Jefferson Davis Way, Arlington, Virginia

I'm teaching Erotica and Sex Writing in one month, March 27th, at CatalystCon

Quick post to remind you that at CatalystCon East in Arlington, Virginia, held March 27-29, I'll be teaching my three-hour writing workshops on erotica and nonfiction sex writing (click here to register), drawing from my 15 years of writing erotica and editing over 50 anthologies, and close to that many writing sex essays, sex columns for the likes of The Village Voice, Penthouse, The Frisky and now, Philadelphia City Paper and DAME, along with pieces for publications such as Cosmopolitan, Elle.com, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Salon, Slate, Time.com and others. We will go in depth in each class and you will also get resources and market listings. Any questions? Email me at rachelkb at gmail.com with "Catalyst" in the subject line. I'm thrilled to connect with and meet so many people again at Catalyst, where I'll also be on the opening keynote panel, moderating a panel on sharing your sex life, and my books will be for sale by Red Emma's.

This all looks prettier on the CatalystCon site but I'm just doing a quick copy and paste:

Writing Workshops with Rachel Kramer Bussel

Erotica 101

Friday, March 27, 2015 9:15am-12:15pm
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.

This class will take place on Friday, March 27, 2015 at the CatalystCon host hotel. You must purchase a ticket to this workshop separately from CatalystCon on the registration page. Register here.

Pricing: $45

Note: Student discount does not apply to this workshop.

Sex Writing 101

Friday, March 27, 2015 1:30pm-4:30pm
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 has been a sex columnist for The Village Voice, Penthouse and The Frisky, and has written about sexuality for Cosmopolitan, The Daily Beast, Glamour, Inked, Salon, xoJane and many other publications. A resource list covering markets for sex-related pieces will be provided.

This class will take place on Friday, March 27, 2015 at the CatalystCon host hotel. You must purchase a ticket to this workshop separately from CatalystCon on the registration page. Register here.

Pricing: $45

Note: Student discount code does not apply to this workshop.

Special pricing for both workshops: $79

**Attendees who would like the opportunity to get feedback from Rachel on one piece of their own writing (3,000 words or less), to be submitted prior to the workshop can purchase this as an add on to either of the above workshops. Fee: $20

Virginia is for LoveFest - see you in Charlottesville March 22nd

I'll be participating in two events on Sunday, March 22nd as part of LoveFest, part of Virginia Festival of the Book, which has an amazing lineup of authors. I plan to take notes on so I know who I want to see (Deafo author CeCe Bell, who was just award a Newbury Honor for her amazing graphic memoir, is already on my list!).



What else will I be doing in Virginia in March? Signing books at Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia, on Friday, March 20th with Kristina Wright at 12:30 p.m. (this will be on their site soon) and teaching, speaking and panel moderating at CataystCon in Arlington March 27-29, with a detour out of Virginia to Baltimore to teach my Erotica 101 writing workshop at Sugar on March 24th.

Thank you to Madeline Iva, who you should check out at Lady Smut, for inviting me. And yes, I write and edit more erotica than erotic romance, but I think this will be an interesting discussion and have plenty to say. Here's what's happening:

LoveFest Workshop: “Screaming To Be Ignored” — Capturing the Reader’s Attention
Sun. March 22, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Barnes & Noble
1035 Emmet Street North, Barracks Road Shopping Center, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Hosted by: Barnes & Noble

“Every day hundreds of stories cross my desk, each one screaming to be ignored.” — Gordon Lish. How do you make your story capture a reader’s attention instantly? In this free workshop, anonymous would-be authors may submit short works: a one page query or the first ten pages of a novel. Published authors and savvy editors will use these submissions as a launching point to discuss their favorite writing craft tips.

Want to submit your work? The first 30 submissions received the day of the event will be considered on a first come/first serve basis. Look for the submissions box at the Barnes & Noble Information Desk. The store opens at 9 AM.

Participating authors and editors: Joanna Bourne, Mary Burton, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Melissa Marr, Mary Jo Putney, Kristina Wright. Moderator: Kimberly Kincaid.

LoveFest Book Signing: Meet & Greet Romance Authors
Sun. March 22, 2:45 pm - 4:30 pm
Barnes & Noble
1035 Emmet Street North, Barracks Road Shopping Center, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Hosted by: Barnes & Noble

Come join thirteen romance authors for one-on-one book chat in a friendly setting. Authors are available for book signing and photographs.

Participating authors: Joanna Bourne, Mollie Cox Bryan, Mary Burton, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Avery Flynn, Sabrina Jeffries, Kimberly Kincaid, Kieran Kramer, Sue London, Melissa Marr, Pam Morsi, Mary Jo Putney, Kristina Wright.

Registration open for my erotica and sex writing workshops at CatalystCon, March 27, Arlington, Virginia

CatalystCon is a very special event; yes, it's a conference, but it's so much more. It's the only place I've taught my nonfiction sex writing workshop so far, and where I will be again, along with erotica writing (2 three-hour workshops that you can sign up for separately, or save money and sign up for both), on March 27th, 2015 in Arlington, Virginia, and that's because those attending CatalystCon attend with a knowledge and passion about sex. I'm not saying that others can't also write well about sex, but that there's a base level of empathy and openness that you don't always find, which can lead to sharing highly personal and often very non-mainstream information in a supportive, welcoming environment. I've been so impressed with the workshops I've taught this year at CatalystCon East and West and am so looking forward to this one. I'm actually cutting back on in-person workshops to focus on teaching online but with three-hour workshops, we have the space and time go deeper into the topics and develop ideas that they'll hopefully take out into the world, get published, and share more broadly, if they so desire. Full descriptions of both workshops can be found at the Catalyst site, and I'll be handing out an updated list of venues to submit your writing in each workshop. No previous writing experience required!



So why me? Well, I've been writing about sex for 15 years, in fiction and nonfiction. I've edited over 50 erotica anthologies and been published in over 100, including the series Best American Erotica, Best Gay Erotica, Best Lesbian Erotica and Best Women's Erotica. I've written across genders and orientations and fetishes and kinks, and continue to innovate with my fiction. With my nonfiction, I've been a sex columnist for The Village Voice, Penthouse, The Frisky and now, Philadelphia City Paper. I've written about sexuality for a range of venues, including Buzzfeed Shift, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Inked, Salon, Slate, Time.com, Time Out New York and others, covering topics such as BDSM and sobriety, open relationships, porn, foot fetishes, blowjobs, bisexuality, sex toys, famous naked ladies, dirty talk and more. Over the years, I've picked up a few tricks, and I also know what editors are looking for and can help you hone your words to get published.

Sign up and get all the details at CatalystCon. I'll share more information soon about the awesome panel I'm moderating, which is also worth attending if you want to write/create art about sex: Sharing Your Sex Life on the Page and the Stage, featuring Cooper Beckett (Life on the Swingset podcast), Twanna A. Hines (creator/performer of one-woman show I Füçkèd Your Country) and Jillian Keenan (The New York Times, Slate).