Should erotica writers include safer sex in their fiction?

That's the question I pose at Salon, where their subtitle is "Erotica authors don't degree on safe sex demands. I answer by way of opinions from blogger Reading with Analysis, Angie Lynch of review site Shameless Book Club, as well as erotica and erotic romance authors KD Grace, Tamsin Flowers, Tiffany Reisz, Lucy Felthouse, Nicola James, Remittance Girl and Solace Ames. Thank you to everyone who responded to me for this article, those I could include and those I couldn't, and as always, feel free to pitch me on article and column topics at rachelkb at gmail.com - I've got lots more on the way this month!

My 92nd Street Y Tribeca Erotic Writing Workshop is February 12th!

Reminder: Just in time for Valentine's Day (though I promise not to be sappy), I'm teaching Erotic Love Letter Writing/Erotica 101 (covering both steamy love letters and publishing erotica) next Thursday, February 12th, 7-9 pm at the 92nd Street Y. You can also indulge in their special chocolate-covered cherry cocktail; it's $12 without the cocktail, $17 with.

And I'll be giving out free condoms (courtesy of Rachel Sarah) and selling copies of my books. Register now! (you can also show up and register same day)

We've all had unprotected sex we shouldn't have, right?

Or maybe it's just me in my brand new dating/sex column for The Frisky. (by "brand new," I meant this is the 2nd one; the first was "Is He The One?")

I would love love love it if you'd click on over and read it and if you like it (or, you know, even if you don't, rate it and comment).

Have an idea of what I should write about? Email me at rachelravenous at gmail.com - on tap are Mushiness (how much is too much?) and Flirting (as in, do you flirt with everyone, or just your s.o./people you're interested in?) You can write me about those things too.

And the column isn't called "Girl Talk" - that's a general category on The Frisky. I'm still brainstorming on a name that hasn't been done to death and doesn't sound ridiculous, and is still perky and fun. Any suggestions?