A brand new free erotica story that I'm glad got rejected the first time

I'll be writing more about how to handle writing rejection and turn it into a positive step for your career soon, but today I want to highlight one example. My story "Spitting Image" is up today at Tamsin Flowers' Supererotica Advent calendar. I recommend reading all the entries; you can start with day 1, which features "Fallen" by Tamsin Flowers.



She's asking readers to donate to these charities, if you're so inclined: Crisis, The Albert Kennedy Trust or Coalition for the Homeless.

I'm thrilled to have a new, original story free for you to read, because most of my writing lately has been nonfiction, with my only new erotic fiction stories appearing in my recent and upcoming anthologies such as Come Again, Dirty Dates and Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1.

What's especially gratifying for me about this particular story is that I had submitted it to an anthology and gotten good feedback on it, only to later have it be rejected. Of course, I was disappointed. I wondered: What's wrong with my oral sex sensuous spit story? Was I foolish to expect it to make the cut? Am I bad at the male POV?

But then I smartly shook my head, drew up my shoulders, and decided to send my little tale out in the world. I was proud of it and didn't need to take one person's no for an answer. So I sent it to Tamsin and she loved it! Now, I'm not saying it's "good" because someone else approved of it; I don't believe in that. "Good" is by and large subjective—and yes, I say that as someone who teaches erotica writing classes and does believe anyone, certainly including myself, can improve and deepen their writing. But at the end of the day, you can't make someone like your work. You can't insist they read it or appreciate it. You can only work to find what Jennifer Lee calls in Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way your "right peeps." Tamsin is one of my right peeps, and I'm thrilled she chose my story for her project.

No matter what form it takes, rejection isn't fun. I'm actually already dreading having to do it for my next call for submissions, which I hope to have posted in the next few weeks (yes, it's awful to be on the side doing the rejecting too). But it's also part of writing (and dare I say, also part of life), and is why I recommended the podcast Behind the Prose with Keysha Whitaker, because in one episode I listened to, she said, "Getting rejected is part of the process. If you're not getting rejected, that means you're not writing." Sorry, I can't remember the exact episode, but what's great about her podcast is she opens by talking about her writing acceptances and rejections. She normalizes rejection, which is good because she's absolutely right: whether you're talking about fiction or nonfiction, rejection is part and parcel of the process of sending out your work.

The only way to never get rejected is to never submit anything, which is also a valid choice, and not one I mean to malign, but if your goal is to be read by a wide audience, unless you're building that audience via self-publishing or a blog or podcast or some other means, you will need to risk your work being rejected by someone. Once, I was determined to break into a certain online literary journal. I thought that doing so would mean I'd "made it," that I was smart and cool and as good a writer as someone I was desperately jealous of. I submitted three times (and this is one that charges a small fee to submit) before I realized I was doing it for the wrong reasons. I didn't stop submitting because I was afraid of rejection, which had already happened, but because that particular quest was pointless and the rejections were hitting me way too hard (so hard that one led to one of the worst and craziest decisions of my life, which is also a story for another day, but let's just say something illegal was involved in my post-rejection stupor).

I made the leap of risking rejection with this story, "Spitting Image," twice; once my story got the boot, and once it got a thumbs up. It's still the same story, and it's not a "better" or "sexier" story because someone said yes to it. What it is is available for you to read for free. I hope you like it!

These Brooks sneakers were made for walking...39 miles in 2 days!

This weekend I'm doing the New York City Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (want to donate? click here - you can still donate after this weekend, as there's a grace period). 39 miles in 2 days. And yes, of course I'll be Tweeting along the way.



I got these wonderful Brooks sneakers (now I just keep buying the same ones) at Jackrabbit Sports, where they have you run on a treadmill to test your feet (turns out mine pronate a little). The first pair were around $110, now I get a 10% discount on anything in the store for spending over $100 that first time. Excellent customer service, even if you don't run. Hat tip to my aunt Carole for recommending it to me.



Previous sneaker incarnations:

Breast cancer research donations wanted: Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, I'm walking 39 miles October 16-17

I'm walking 39 miles over the course of October 16-17 to raise money for breast cancer research, and am raising money and asking for your donations!

Any amount is greatly appreciated, and you can donate easily and anonymously (or by name!) by following this handy link. Thank you!



From their site:

Since it was founded in 1955, the Avon Foundation has been committed to the mission to improve the lives of women and their families. Now past the half century milestone, the Avon Foundation brings this mission to life through two key areas of focus: breast cancer and domestic violence. From an initial $400 scholarship in 1955, Avon philanthropy has expanded globally and through 2008 exceeded $660 million raised and awarded worldwide. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and Avon breast cancer programs in over 50 countries support advancing access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. For more information about the Avon Foundation visit http://www.avonfoundation.org/ or call 1.866.505.AVON.

39 miles in 2 days - sponsor me in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

First let me say that I have a pet peeve about all the "for breast cancer" or "for ___ disease" causes because obviously they are actually against those diseases but I'm not going to not walk 39 miles because of grammar issues. I signed up to do the New York October 16-17 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer because my friend Jodie, who's done the walk in Boston and San Francisco, told me what a wonderful experience it was. I'm, um, not yet in shape for it but plan to be by then.

So...I am hitting you up for donations. Any amount is greatly appreciated, and you can donate easily and anonymously by following this handy link. Thank you!



From their site:

Since it was founded in 1955, the Avon Foundation has been committed to the mission to improve the lives of women and their families. Now past the half century milestone, the Avon Foundation brings this mission to life through two key areas of focus: breast cancer and domestic violence. From an initial $400 scholarship in 1955, Avon philanthropy has expanded globally and through 2008 exceeded $660 million raised and awarded worldwide. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade launched in 1992, and Avon breast cancer programs in over 50 countries support advancing access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. For more information about the Avon Foundation visit http://www.avonfoundation.org/ or call 1.866.505.AVON.

My boobs, public casting, tonight! Plus champagne, cupcakes + Peep Show party

Yay for breasts and Williamsburg and performance art! It's all happening tonight at Shag, who've told me online registration will be happening soon for my 4 erotic writing workshops. If this is news to you, sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.rachelkramerbussel.com.



Public BUST Casting of Rachel Kramer Bussel!
Doors Open at 7PM
BUST Casting 7:30PM sharp - 8:30PM
Book Signing 9-10PM (books will be available for sale)

Join us for a very special event!
We will be casting the bust of Rachel Kramer Bussel, a leading expert on all things sexy...senior editor of Penthouse Variations, host of In The Flesh Reading Series, author, and editor of numerous anthologies of erotic writings. Watch as Bussel's bust is transformed into a unique piece of artwork! The finished cast will be up for auction, with the proceeds going to NURTUREart. Following the casting, we will have a book signing party of Bussel's latest anthology, Peep Show: Erotic Tales
of Voyeurs And Exhibitionists.
Free cupcakes by Baked by Melissa! Photo by Anya Garrett.
$5 at the door; first 60 people get FREE personal bottle of KARMA champagne (www.karmachampagne.com)

More info:
weloveshag@gmail.com
347-721-3302

Haiti charity relief cupcakes

At, you guessed it, Cupcakes Take the Cake.

My breasts in postcard form

Well, me holding my breasts - close enough.



So much to say about my newly decluttered apartment, all the self-improvement I've been attempting, and more, but deadlines and life (and, tonight, Splurge) await. But I will be back in blogging/writing form soon.

For now, I've got these postcards featuring one of my photos by Anya Garrett promoting me baring my breasts January 28th at SHAG, 7:30 pm, 108 Roebling Street at N. 6th, Williamsburg, Brooklyn ($5; free Karma Champagne to first 60 people). We'll be auctioning off the bust for charity, then having a book party and signing for Peep Show: Erotic Tales of Voyeurs and Exhibitionists. It's going to be an event you don't want to miss!

If you want a postcard, they'll be at SHAG by Sunday, or email me at rachelkb at gmail.com with "Shag postcard" in the subject line (US only). See more of Anya's photos photos of me (all shot at SHAG!) in this Flickr set - hopefully this weekend I can get some of the racier ones up.

Give $7 on the 7th to The Liz Logelin Foundation, or just look at the cute baby photo

Almost one-year-old Madeline Logelin, who has a lot of toys; photo by Matt Logelin

I don't really know how to do justice to Matt and Madeline Logelin's story, so I will just quote from The Liz Logelin Foundation site, which I am encouraging you to donate to today.

On March 24, 2008, little Madeline Elizabeth Logelin came into this world.

The next day, her mother left it.

From this impossibly tragic event, a community was born. A community of individuals, united in their desire to help and support Madeline and her father, Matt. This community formed the basis for what would become a worldwide charitable foundation:

The Liz Logelin Foundation – For the Love of Liz.

After the catastrophic loss of his wife, Matt Logelin coped by turning not only to his wonderfully supportive family and friends, but to the internet. He had already begun a casual blog to keep friends and family abreast of Liz’s pregnancy; within 2 weeks of her passing, that blog became what it is today: a place where Matt can share his joys and frustrations, challenges and heartbreaks; where concerned friends, new and old, can meet, talk, laugh, and cry with Matt; and most importantly, where other widows and widowers can offer – and be offered – support and friendship.

So strong and large was the community that spontaneously formed around Matt and Madeline, it seemed not only natural, but necessary to harness the strength of that network and turn it into something – something that could help ease the pain and lighten the load felt by widows and widowers everywhere.

And it all sprang from the Love of Liz.

Welcome to the Liz Logelin Foundation.


photo of Liz Logelin by Matt Logelin

I've been reading Matt's blog since he was featured in People magazine a little while ago and have been truly moved each and every time. I think the idea that this mother didn't even get to hold her baby is so sad. His blog has stirred up so many thoughts in me - about love, about family - but I will save those for another time to try to keep this short and swet. He is not asking for sympathy, but simply sharing his story. He is asking people, instead of adding to baby Madeline's toy chest, to donate to the foundation. I did, and encourage you to as well. They have a "7 on the 7th" campaign, encouraging people to give $7 on the 7th of each month.



If you can't give, I encourage you to check out Matt's blog and his Flickr stream, which is in many ways even more powerful. And for those who want to go all out, he's also on Twitter. But really I just wanted to call your attention to the foundation.

Come to our charity bake sale today in Brooklyn! I'm making coconut cupcakes!

And I almost never make cupcakes, certainly not on my own. Please join us today!

Please come out and join the three of us and our readers...



We are pleased to announce that Cupcakes Take The Cake will be having a cupcake bake sale on Sunday, October 19 at The Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene. The bake sale is a fundraiser for Cancer Care's Cupcakes for a Cause week.
If you live in NYC, please come and support us. We will need cupcake bakers, people to man the bake sale table and cupcake eaters.

Cupcakes Take The Cake Bake Sale
Sunday, October 19 10AM-5PM
The Brooklyn Flea
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
Lafayette Avenue Between Clermont and Vanderbilt Avenue

Our stand will be near all the food vendor are. The Brooklyn Flea layout is here and we will be at E-10

The Brooklyn Flea is in Fort Greene on Lafayette Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbilt Avenue. From Manhattan, you can take the C to Lafayette Avenue. From Queens, Williamburg, Carroll Gardens, you can take the G to Clinton-Washington Avenue. Check HopStop if there are weekend service changes.

If you don't live in NYC, we encourage to do your own bake sale that weekend (October 18-19) and send us pictures. Duncan Hines, who is the corporate sponsor for Cupcakes For A Cause,can send you coupons for your bake sale.

Did you see us on the Today Show?

If not, you can watch the clip on the MSNBC website or right here:



And if you want to find out more about the dance troupe featured in the MSNBC clip, see our interview with Sue Hogan, founder of Unison Fetish.


photo by Hope Davis

And please, please, please join Cupcakes Take the Cake this Sunday at the Brooklyn Flea from 10 am - 5 pm for a charity bake sale. Get all the details here. I'm baking banana cupcakes!


Cupcakes by Sweet Avenue Bake Shop

The night all Nichelle's money disappeared

Nichelle Stephens is one of my best friends. I've known her since April or May 2004, when we did the WYSIWYG reading together, and we have since become fellow cupcake bloggers, traveled together, and gossiped a lot. You can see lots of photos of her in my Flickr stream.

Please read her post, The Night All My Money Disappeared. It's sad and scary, and even if you don't have any advice or a way to help, you can comment and think good thoughts for her. Here's an update.

She's also asking people to donate to RightRides, a New York organization. I'll let them explain themselves:

RightRides offers women, transgender and gender queer individuals a free, safe, late night ride home on Saturday nights from 11:59 PM - 3 AM, early Sunday morning in 35 NYC neighborhoods. To call for a ride, the dispatch number is (718) 964-7781.

Since 2004, RightRides has driven over 1,000 riders safely home, thanks to hundreds of dedicated volunteers and our vehicle sponsor, Zipcar.

Visit the RightRides homepage and donate via Nichelle to get her to her $1,000 fundraising goal.

One of the things I love most about Nichelle is that she has a huge heart. She is always ready to listen (okay, sometimes I know I annoy her with my madness, especially when it's of the romantic kind, but she puts up with that anyway) and has a big heart. She also is the organizer of our NYC Cupcakes Take the Cake Meetup (please join and help me reach my personal goal of 1,000 members, just cause that would sound so cool) and you can hang out with us and Allison on Sunday starting at noon at The Brooklyn Flea eating yummy homemade cupcakes while helping charity! You know it's special cause even I'm gonna bake some banana cupcakes!

Please show Nichelle some love, cause I want to see her smiling again, like this (from the set of The Martha Stewart Show):



Nichelle, I am sending happy thoughts and news your way. And, virtually, this money cupcake from Flickr user heath_bar: