3 new erotica anthology calls for submissions

Good news: I'm editing three new Cleis Press erotica anthologies! Here are my erotic short story calls for submissions, with May 1 and June 1, 2022 deadlines, and payments of $100 for Couples Erotica and Sexy Strangers and $225 for Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 9, which has a theme of temptation.



The first two for Couples Erotica and Sexy Strangers are open to all writers, and Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 9 is open to authors who themselves are women, gender nonconforming, genderqueer and/or nonbinary who have not been published or scheduled to be published in the first eight Best Women’s Erotica of the Year volumes edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel; all volumes have this stipulation around authors' identity and I don't repeat authors in the series to make room for as many writers as possible. The first 8 volumes have included work by 146 authors. Everything I'm looking for is listed in the guidelines, but if you have any questions I don't answer in the guidelines, please email me at the address listed with the call. That's the only way you should be contacting me with questions about these anthologies.

Please spread the word! I've worked with over 700 authors in my anthologies so far and my goal is to get to 1,000 authors, so I'm hoping to fill these books with as many authors I haven't worked with before as possible. That's one of my favorite aspects of being an anthology editor.

May erotica book giveaway at Goodreads - enter soon!

It's new(ish) month, so I've got a new erotica book giveaway at Goodreads open to U.S. readers. The deadline to enter is May 31, 2018. I'm once again giving away five signed copies of Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 3. I also encourage you to follow me on Goodreads (and all your favorite authors) for updates on my writing and books. Good luck!

Erotica sale alert: Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex is $1.99!

My Cleis Press anthology of erotic flash fiction Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex is only $1.99 this weekend! Get it for the following U.S. ebook retailers:

Kindle

Nook

Google Play

iBooks

Kobo

Erotica giveaway of Flying High: Sexy Stories from the Mile High Club for newsletter subscribers:

I finally sent out my January newsletter. At the bottom, there's a giveaway to win one of 10 signed copies of my anthology Flying High: Sexy Stories from the Mile High Club. Act fast because the giveaway, which is open internationally. ends on Sunday. You MUST be subscribed to the newsletter to be eligible, so if you're not, head over to rachelkramerbussel.com and subscribe. I'll be sending the books in my pretty new logo mailers! And today, January 31, is the deadline for my U.S. only Goodreads giveaways of Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 2 and On Fire: Erotic Romance Stories. Good luck!

Have you entered my Tasting Her: Oral Sex Stories giveaway? Deadline is Nov. 30!

Every month in my newsletter (which you can subscribe to at rachelkramerbussel.com) I give away one of my books and this month I'm giving away Tasting Her: Oral Sex Stories. The deadline to enter is tomorrow, Thursday, November 30 and you have to be a subscriber to enter. Open internationally. Also often I select a winner and see they've only put something like "123 Main Street" and not a complete address so I select another winner, so make sure you include your full mailing address. You'll find the entry form in the November newsletter. Good luck!



And if you just can't get enough stories about giving and getting head, I've also got Tasting Him: Oral Sex Stories and Going Down: Oral Sex Stories - click through on each title to download a free ebook sample or listen to an audiobook sample!

Here's more about Tasting Her to whet your appetite, so to speak. And if you're reading this after the giveaway is over, you can get a free sample of these tasty, sexy stories.

Savor the art of oral sex

An impromptu shaving session triggers a lustful bathroom encounter between a married man and his mistress. A woman who can't read a map discovers the sensual geography of "down there" thanks to her girlfriend's talented tongue. A female scientist teaches her husband a new area of study when she substitutes the word "tongue" for "hello." The twenty-one tales in Tasting Her form a sexy group portrait of the joys of cunnilingus. Encompassing everything from fantasy trips to in-the-flesh pleasures, and starring both seasoned pros and enthusiastic novices,these steamy stories bring new meaning to the phrase "read my lips."

Introduction: Reading Her Lips

Whether you've delved between a woman's legs, received cunnilingus, or fantasized about either, Tasting Her has a lot to offer you. To be honest, I'm usually not the biggest fan, personally, of getting head. Often it feels either rushed or perfunctory, or like I'm not sure how long I should give the person until we move on to something else. I don't always know when or how I will come, though plenty of women swear by a little tongue-lashing (or a lot!) to do the trick.

What's great about this collection is that there are oral sex connoisseurs and newcomers, men and women, who explore the treasure to be found in a woman's pussy, often in surprising ways. Maybe they think they know everything there is to know about giving (and getting) head, but have a partner who wants to show them something new.

We sometimes forget, given stories about men who refuse to go there (and yes, I've encountered a few), that there are plenty of men and women who truly enjoy, relish, and get turned on by basking in a woman's sex. The kind who find eating pussy not just a pit stop on the way to something greater, but the ultimate pleasure. Sometimes this can take the form of a BDSM scene, where someone is being "forced" to do what he really loves best. At other times, these happy lickers have to convince their partners that they want it so bad they'll do anything to get it.

In Jen Cross' outstanding story, "Queen of Sheba," we meet one such couple:

Jimmy would use his hands to hold me open, and his whole mouth, his nose and chin and cheeks. He'd fuck me with his tongue, then lap at me with the full flat of it, wriggle the tip across my clit, then capture the fat little head between his thin lips and suckle first gently, then more sharply, as I came. And came. And came.

He got me off so many times when he was down there, like that was the whole point. Can you imagine? Her narrator learns that some men treat a woman's pussy like it's the pinnacle of her body, even when the woman herself may be a little puzzled as to what he loves about it so much.

I've been in the position of Gwen Masters' Teresa in "Teaching Teresa," refusing to let someone go down on me simply because I didn't think it would be all that fun. The last person I tried that with, though, used my refusal as a pawn in our sexual game, and when I let him advance, he showed me just how wonderful a well-placed tongue could feel. I think he wanted to show me what I'd been missing. In Masters' story, our hero has to articulate what it is he enjoys about the act:

"I love everything about it," he told her. "I love the smell--that deep and secret scent. I love the taste. I love the way it changes when a woman comes, and the way it changes again after I've been inside her. It's like I can taste all the different levels of arousal."

Teresa was looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Most of all, I love the way a woman moves. I love the way the same touches can get a different reaction every time. But I also love finding that one thing that drives a woman crazy every time."

Other lessons are imparted throughout this collection, and I can tell you that by the end of the editing process, I was more than ready to spread my legs. Whatever your feelings about going down, I hope this book will broaden your horizons, and expose you to the ways cunnilingus can become part of a relationship, a quickie fling, a BDSM scene, and so much more. The characters here, from the dedication of the man who gives geographical names to specific parts of his lover's sexual anatomy in Jeremy Edwards' "Cavanuagh's Ridge" to the kinky pleasures of the couple in Teresa Noelle Roberts' "The Dominance of the Tongue," have a thing or two to teach you about pussy power. Savor them and their adventures, as well as your own.

Rachel Kramer Bussel
New York City

2 new anthology calls for submissions: Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 3 and The Big Book of Submission, Volume 2

These may not need a preface because they are very wordy as it is, but here goes: I chose to post these now, rather than waiting until a later date, even though it means anyone submitting now will have over a year to wait. I did that for my own sake so I am not racing around trying to meet an unmanageable deadline and to put some new calls into the world sooner rather than later. As you'll see below, if this is too long to wait, don't submit to these calls. If you have questions after reading both of them thoroughly, feel free to ask, but please honor your time and mine by not asking me anything that's already stated below.

I get more precise with each call based on things I see happening in the submission process. The truth is, I wasn't sure I would take on any more calls because I have a lot going on these days work wise and want to put every effort humanly possible into making the books I have out there now succeed, which can be hard to do when you are also in the midst of editing one, let alone two, anthologies. But I also know that part of my life's work is giving as many authors as possible a platform, which is why I've strongly encouraged authors new to the genre and those I've never worked with to submit. As for why there aren't bios on The Big Book of Submission, one word: space. Cost is the reason those authors will receive one contributor copy. And yes, I bolded my pet peeves.

I may very well tweak them slightly, as tends to happen, but I wanted to get the process started now. My goal is always to get my calls read by as many writers as possible and increase the pool of submissions, so I will be doing my own research and outreach to make sure these reach a wider audience than my past ones have. If you know of any websites, bulletin boards, groups or individual writers who might appreciate the calls, I would love if you passed them on. I often get writers telling me they heard about my calls right before the deadline, which is obviously less than ideal circumstances for writing, so I hope that this is seen with plenty of time to jog your creativity.

I welcome questions about these calls (though I cannot read any story drafts or comment on any specific plots or storylines, though I will answer specific content questions related to these guidelines if an element is unclear), and I also respect that these calls aren't for everyone. If these speak to you, good luck, and I look forward to reading your stories when it's time!

Lastly, if you submitted to Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 2, I'll be getting back to you by the end of June, so please be patient.

My anthology submission calls are probably so long they scare away some writers. I'm okay with that. I'm an editor who asks for what I want.

— Rachel Kramer Bussel (@raquelita) June 14, 2016

Call for Submissions
Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 3
Edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel
To be published by Cleis Press in December 2017

This anthology is open to women authors only, as the series has been since its inception (genderqueer and nonbinary authors are welcome to submit as well). I want your best, boldest, hottest, most creative and diverse 1,500-4,000 word erotica stories, written by and starring a wide range of women, from single to coupled, living in big cities and small towns anywhere in the world, of varying sexual orientations, races, ages (all characters must be 18+ for the entirety of the story) fetishes, jobs, interests and life experiences. I want fast-paced stories that grab me from the first word and don't let up on the heat until the final word. I want stories about women with sexual fantasies, fetishes and lives that are underrepresented in the erotica genre. I want stories that sizzle, push envelopes and surprise me. I don't want clichéd plotlines or generic characters.

Stories in the final book will range from humorous and playful to intense and soulful, and will reflect a similar sexual, racial and age diversity as the stories in Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1. Story submissions must be unpublished (never published, in whole or in part, anywhere, online or offline). No scat or incest, although age play will be considered as long as it's clear in the context of the story that the characters are engaging in roleplay. No poetry will be considered.

I don't want to limit your creativity, because I want these stories to be as dazzling, varied, surprising and sexy as possible. I want your very best work, the kind that will make readers want to savor your story over and over again. Some things I'm looking to include in this volume: stories by authors who've never been published in the Best Women's Erotica series or are new to writing erotica, stories by authors based outside the United States (and stories set outside the United States), stories from the point of view of women of color, stories from the point of view of transgender women, stories featuring women in their forties, fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties or nineties, romantic erotica (they don't necessarily need to have a traditional "happily ever after," but happy endings are extremely welcome too), stories involving more than two people, stories in unusual settings, erotica touching on current events (though the story should be one readers ten or twenty years from now will also appreciate), stories that touch on real-life issues affecting women, BDSM stories (especially ones with creative motivations and femdom stories, though I also want stories about outstanding submissive women), and creative fetishes. These suggestions are merely meant as springboards for your storytelling. All stories that meet the guidelines will be considered.

In a nutshell: I want stories that blow my mind, that grab my attention and don't let go, that say something new and exciting about sex and sexuality, that will appeal to longtime erotica readers and new readers. I gravitate toward unique, creative, memorable characters, settings and scenarios. I will consider sci fi, fantasy, paranormal and historical stories, although they will likely not comprise the majority of the book. For an idea of the types of stories I like, see Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1.

In the interest of publishing a range of authors, those whose work appears in Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 1 or Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 2, will not be considered for this volume, but contributors to previous Best Women's Erotica collections are welcome to submit work.

Rights: non-exclusive right to publish your story in this anthology in print, ebook, and audiobook form. Authors will retain copyright to their stories.

How to submit: Submit only 1,500-4,000 original, unpublished stories that are not being considered elsewhere. Maximum two submissions per author. I want only original work that has never been published online or in print. All characters must be 18 or over for the entirety of the story. US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.). Submit to bweoftheyear@gmail.com by attaching a Word .doc or .docx file, double spaced, Times New Roman Black font with legal name, pseudonym (if applicable), mailing address AND 50 word-or-under third person bio on the first page of your story above the title. Please make sure to double check the word count of your bio and only submit 50 words or less. Please make sure to use an email address you check frequently.

All stories must have a title and byline included with the submission (no untitled stories). Indent half an inch at the start of each paragraph. Use double spacing for the entire file; do not add extra lines between paragraphs or use any other irregular spacing. If you cannot use Word, submit as both an RTF AND include the full submission in the body of an email, including title, story text, bio, name and pseudonym (if applicable), and mailing address. DO NOT SUBMIT MULTIPLE VERSIONS OF THE SAME STORY. SUBMIT YOUR STORY WITH THE TITLE, BYLINE AND WORDING YOU WOULD WANT PUBLISHED IF THE STORY IS ACCEPTED. MAKE SURE TO THOROUGHLY PROOFREAD YOUR STORY BEFORE SUBMITTING IT. Only stories that are between 1,500-4,000 words and submitted by December 1, 2016 will be considered. Please do not ask about exceptions to the word count or deadline as they will not be granted.

I will confirm that I have received your submission within 72 hours. I will respond to all submissions by September 30, 2017. If you have not heard back from me by October 1, 2017, feel free to follow up at that time. Please note the time frame and if you need a response sooner than September 30, 2017, this is not the right anthology for you.

Payment: $150 and 2 copies of the book within 90 days of publication

Deadline: December 1, 2016

Questions: Email bweoftheyear@gmail.com

Call for submissions
The Big Book of Submission Volume 2 (working title)
Edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel
To be published by Cleis Press in 2018
Please make sure to read and follow these guidelines in order for your work to be considered. Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel is looking for short erotica stories of 1,200 words or less focused on the theme of submission within BDSM. Stories submitted that are over 1,200 words will be rejected. While the word count is short, I want complex stories with a beginning, middle and end, not simply scene snippets.

I will consider stories from a dominant's perspective if that is the best way to illuminate the mindset of the submissive, but they must explore what the submissive gets out of the scenario in some way. The final book of 69 stories will contain an extremely wide variety of characters, POVs (I welcome first, second and third person stories), settings, scenarios, motivations, experience levels, motivations, BDSM practices (which can be combined with other sexual acts), fetishes, couplings, relationships, etc. I welcome the use of sex toys and BDSM implements, real or imagined. All genders and sexual orientations welcome.

All characters must be over 18 for the entirety of the story; no nonconsensual activity, scat, incest or bestiality. No poetry. Original, unpublished stories only. Stories from authors whose work I have not published before are especially welcome. See The Big Book of Submission to get a feel for the types of short submissive erotica I enjoy. Please note that this anthology will not include author bios.

Rights: non-exclusive right to publish your story in this anthology in print, ebook, and audiobook form. Authors will retain copyright to their stories.

How to submit: Send double spaced Times or Times New Roman 12 point black font Word document (.doc or .docx) with pages numbered OR RTF of 1,200 words maximum to bigbookofsubmission@gmail.com. Stories that are not in keeping with the theme of the anthology or are over 1,200 words will not be considered. DO NOT submit multiple versions of a single story; submit ONLY your final, complete, edited version of your story with the story title and byline you'd want published. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) required. I will consider a maximum of two stories per author. Include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable), mailing address. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you’d like to be credited as (such as Jane Doe, writing as Ann Smith). You will receive a confirmation within 72 hours. I will get back to you by September 30, 2017.

Payment: $25 and 1 copy of the book on publication in 2018

Deadline: January 10, 2017

Questions: Email bigbookofsubmission@gmail.com

This erotica book is touring the world, literally, and you can win a copy from Rose Caraway

I love this project that my favorite audiobook narrator Rose Caraway is doing with her first anthology, The Sexy Librarian's Big Book of Erotica, by sending it around the world to all the contributors to sign it before giving away a signed copy. It was so fun to be part of this project and brought home to me the value of an erotica writing and reading community. I've signed my copies and sent them off to the next contributor. Want to win a copy? Leave Rose a comment now. If you can't wait to read this hot and sexy book, you can get your copy in print, ebook or audiobook (read by Rose, of course), or at your local independent bookstore or directly from Cleis Press. My story "Book Swap," very loosely inspired by an actual airplane ride, opens the book. Also be sure to check out Rose's two podcasts: The Kiss Me Quick's and The Sexy Librarian Blog-Cast.

Waking up to awesome news: another LitReactor student sold a story

Nothing makes me happier as a writing teacher than hearing that my students found my classes helpful and used them to get their work out into the world, so I was thrilled to wake up to the news that my LitReactor student Ashton Peal sold (trans-)lesbian story "The Second First Time" to Lizzie's Bedtime Stories Appetite Anthology edited by Ily Goyanes. I have permission to share this from an email from Ashton Peal:

Thanks so much again for the class. I didn't know if I could comfortably write erotica at all - much less for characters so very dissimilar from myself - but apparently so. It's definitely been an eye-opener and something I hope to keep on with.

Now, I don't think publication is the only indicator of a writing's worth; I've had plenty of work rejected and as an editor have had to reject countless amazing stories for various reasons (space, overlapping topics, etc.). But it's both validation and motivation when it happens, and one thing I worked extremely hard on with my first LitReactor class was making it practical. I got the scoop from editors and publishers on exactly what they were looking for, and updated the calls for submission section of our private message board repeatedly, hoping to encourage students to submit. When I teach in person classes, I don't have followup so I never know if those students have turned their test runs into final drafts and submitted them. With my online classes, it's built into the program, and I'm so honored that it's encouraged people to get their work out there, which can be scary and daunting no matter how many times you do it.

I am going to have even more Q&As and publisher information for my February-March LitReactor online erotica class, which starts February 12th. There's a detailed week by week breakdown on their site. It does require a bit of a time commitment as you'll be writing a story per week, with the option of reading and critiquing your fellow students' work, which I found an invaluable part of the process in terms of getting to see how different people approached the same topic and assignment. Registration is now open, and the class is limited to 16 people. The last one sold out, so if you are interested, please check out the information, let me know if you have any questions at rachelkb at gmail.com with "LitReactor" in the subject line. You can also read what LN Bey, who sold a story developed as a LitReactor erotica assignment to a Circlet Press anthology, said about my class.