Rachel Kramer Bussel's Blog, page 111

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![image error]

5 things I'm grateful for while I wait out Hurricane Sandy

I'll be in Austin through Saturday, and then I truly hope I get home as I miss my boyfriend and my city and am supposed to go to DC next week to see You For Me For You at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and also see I Am An Emotional Creature by Eve Ensler in New York. So I will not be at the sexy Shag reading on Friday but it's still proceeding and I believe someone else will be reading to you in the dark. But I also know that people are without power, and worse. It's lovely here and I am blogging Hurricane Sandy cupcakes and writing and enjoying the sun and friendship. Here are 10 things I'm grateful for:

1. Hospitality - the friend I'm staying with has very graciously let me stay an extra 5 days and we are exploring lots of fun events in Austin.

2. Skyping with my boyfriend - today he held up silly notes and I wrote some back with lip gloss.

3. Kindness - friends have offered alternative travel routes home (I'm flying American Saturday to JFK, so should be okay), loans, places to stay, and even to give out candy to trick or treaters! Thank you.

3. The weather - the sun feels amazing!

4. Kale! I bought some and it made me instantly happier just to touch it.

5. Books - I have so many fascinating books with me and time to pay attention to them.

I'm sure there's more, but I'm off to Bookwoman shortly.

"Why I'm Jealous Of My Friend's Unplanned Pregnancy"

I wrote my first piece for Buzzfeed Shift, an essay called "Why I'm Jealous Of My Friend's Unplanned Pregnancy". I unpack the topics of baby fever, parenting, single motherhood and more. If you like it (whether you agree with my POV or not), I'd love it if you'd pass it on via social media and/or comment. I've got a few more personal essay ideas cooking in my head that I hope to be able to share soon.

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.

I'm reading spanking erotica in the dark Friday, November 2nd, in the same room where these sexy photos were shot

These photos by Constance and Eric were shot in the back room at Shag in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, back when I only had one tattoo (I now have three, and with my impending birthday am a bit tempted to get another one), except for the sunglasses one, which was shot in the front room of Shag by Anya Garrett, both photographers who I adore and highly recommend. Can you tell I love that store? I just may buy myself an early birthday present of some jewelry. I'll be reading part of my nude hotel spanking story "Marks" from Cheeky Spanking Stories on Friday, November 2nd, as part of Audio Smut.

Free Brooklyn reading November 2nd at Shag in Williamsburg

My last event for a while, and it's free and in Brooklyn, right near the Beford Avenue L train! Bring your wallet for all the pretty jewelry and sex toys and fun items at SHAG.

Storytelling, Scavenging, and Snitching through Sound with Audio Smut

Friday, Nov 2, 2012, 7pm-9pm
Shag - 108 Roebling Street (at N. 6th Street)
Brooklyn, NY
SUBWAY: L to Bedford
ADMISSION: Free
Join Audio Smut for an evening of sexy scavenger hunts, a live confession booth by Sharona B, erotic storytelling, and drinks. Sit in a pitch-dark room full of friends & strangers listening to stories of sexual misadventures, as heard on the radio show. Featured guest Rachel Kramer Bussel reads to us about discipline from the new book release, Cheeky Spanking Stories . Bussel's words will be brought to life radio style with sound and music mixed live with a Q + A to follow.

Don't miss Bawdy Storytelling in New York twice this week!

I've had the pleasure of attending Bawdy Storytelling twice, in San Francisco, where they put on multiple themed shows per month (and around the Bay Area), and at CatalystCon (have you applied yet to March's CatalystCon East? You should!), where I told a story about how Monica Lewinsky brought me to one of the best relationships of my life, and Megan Andelloux made sure I never think about fisting and pennies in the same way. The stories were outstanding, memorable, unique, and performed flawlessly. I'm in Texas this week so I can't attend these 2 amazing events, but I highly recommend them. The lineups alone should have you marking your calendars. Click here for all of Bawdy's upcoming shows. Many of the people below are my friends, people I've published (or would love to publish) and those who graced the stage of In The Flesh and all together like this are sure to wow everyone. If, like me, you're not in New York for these events, please tell friends who are!

Thursday, October 25th
Bawdy Luxe (a co-production from Bawdy Storytelling & Midori)
Doors at 7, Stories at 8
A lush Manhattan loft (near Chelsea)
Tickets (sold only in advance) are $20 at
http://bawdyluxe.eventbrite.com/
More info at www.BawdyStorytelling.com


Storytellers include:
- 'SuperNova of Kink' & Sex Educator Midori
- Marketplace & Leather Women series Author Laura Antoniou
- AVN & Urban X Awards Hall of Fame porn star, author and radio host Sinnamon Love
- Pervy Artist & Instigator Nayland Blake
- UrbanErotika host & producer Mo Beasley
- Musical sensation Jessica Delfino
& more storytellers coming soon!
*Plus Sex Toy Giveaways from Vixen Creations & Aneros!*

Bawdy Storytelling - the express train that always goes *downtown* – is approaching its sixth notorious year in San Francisco and Oakland, and we wanna get out and see how the rest of the country does ‘it.’ So we’re launching in new cities everyday... Next stop: New York!

Join the celebrated Dame of the Dirty Dish, Miss Dixie De La Tour (host & curatrix of Bawdy Storytelling) as she teams up for the first time with that infamous ‘SuperNova of Kink,’ Midori! We’re calling this racy evening of storytelling & socializing ‘Bawdy Luxe,’ and for one night only we invite you to rub elbows (& who knows what else?) with NYC’s Perveratti in a private Gotham loft with us. Drink, nosh & enjoy pornstars, kinkstars & surprise rockstar guests as they share true stories from their very twisted and sexy, sexy lives. What better way to build sex-positive community than to meet and be inspired by the city’s carnal cohorts?

Bawdy Luxe will take place at a chi-chi Manhattan loft (near Chelsea), and since social connection and community building is at the core of what we do, we’ll allow plenty of time to meet and mingle. But note: we won’t sell tickets at the door,* so get your tickets NOW. And keep an eye out for updates to our storyteller roster – we’re adding new big shots every day.

RSVP and see who's going on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/events/150993415044349/

* This event's address will be e-mailed after ticket purchase & 24 hours before showtime).
** Consider this an opening event for Midori's always sold out FortéFemme Intensive workshop (October 26-28th). http://www.fhp-inc.com/fortefemme

Friday, October 26th
Bawdy Storytelling's 'No Holds Barred'
Doors at 7, Stories at 8
Galapagos Art Space
16 Main St., Brooklyn, New York 11201
Tickets $15/available in advance at http://www.galapagosartspace.com/bawdy-storytelling
More info at www.BawdyStorytelling.com
& at www.galapagosartspace.com

Storytellers include:
- Master Storyteller & Solo Performer Mike Daisey
- Sex Educator & Dirty Bingo Maven Ducky Doolittle
- FunkyBrownChick.com's Twanna A. Hines
- tinyDANGEROUSfun! & Peg-ass-us' John Leo
- 'Late Night w/Jimmy Fallon's Seth Herzog
- Musical duo & NYC cult phenomenon Mel and El
*Plus Sex Toy Giveaways from Vixen Creations & Aneros!*

For the past six years, Bawdy Storytelling has been entertaining, educating, and erectifying™ audiences up and down the west coast. Known as "The Moth for Pervs," Bawdy features real people and sexual rockstars sharing their honest and awesome sexual exploits in 10 minutes or less – we’re talking no scripts, no nets, and no filters. Hostess/Curator Dixie De La Tour revels in bringing the unexpected, hilarious and transcendent to the stage, so join her and some surprising local heroes for a Friday night that’s sure to shock, stimulate and spur you to make that shared taxi more than just a ride home.

On October 26th, Bawdy Storytelling - the often imitated, always celebrated, and occasionally inebriated cool uncle whom you can always call for bail money – finally comes to NYC! Join us at Galapagos Art Space for ‘No Holds Barred,’ (known as 'No Holes Barred' to our close friends)... either way, we're talking about making your own rules in, out, and around the sheets. Bawdy’s true tales of carnal wins and epic fails never fail to sinspire™ people to create a few new stories of their own after the show – and when you do, contact Dixie to share it. Our aim: listen this time, be onstage the next!

RSVP and see who's going on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/events/229965380463780/[image error]

Kindle and Nook victory for Cheeky Spanking Stories!

The victory being that they are finally for sale! Thanks to whoever made the magic happen to get them back up and listed. Buy the ebook version of Cheeky Spanking Stories for $9.99 for Kindle or $10.68 for Nook (and you do NOT need a Kindle or Nook to read them, you can download the apps for your computer.

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5 things I'm extremely grateful for this week

It's been a long week, and I'm now at JFK waiting for my flight to Houston, where I am going to hang out with two of my favorite kids, a friend, and relax before I head to Austin for a few days. I have lots to think about and consider that is not so great, but much to be grateful for. Chief among them (in chronological order):

1. My friend Hitha taking me as her guest to supper club City Grit, where we dined on all sorts of aphrodisiacs and had great conversation. Our chef was Sarah Simmons, who has caused a bit of political uproar with this Tweet about voting for Obama.


as seen in the women's bathroom at 38 Prince Street, NYC

2. My amazing boyfriend surprising me with a staycation at the Gansevoort Park Hotel - that might be my favorite date ever of ours, and we both needed a little luxury and indulgence.


in our room at the Gansevoort Park

3. Our delicious dinner at Resto - we'd done the lamb feast there and apparently that made my man kindof a rock star. The service was exellent and the kale salad is worth going there to eat on its own. Also: french fries, and from 5-6 during the week they are free with drinks during happy hour!

4. I bought a piece of art by Chris Uphues, who was showing at my favorite coffeeshop, Gimme Coffee. I actually thought I was getting a different heart but I adore this one and plan to buy his t-shirts as holiday gifts!

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art by Chris Uphues

5. Texas! I'm off to Houston, followed by Austin, to visit old and new friends, eat cupcakes, explore, speak at the Texas Book Festival, interview Zane, and enjoy myself. I am excited to be in the sun and relax and play with adorable kids and read as many of the books I've packed as I can and hope my writing brain is inspired by it all.[image error]

5 things I have no control over

I'm embracing the lack of control, in order to focus on the things I can control. Fuck yeah Serenity Prayer (a new URL, perhaps, if it's not taken?). In that spirit, 5 things I have learned I have no control over:

1. Other people
2. Unemployment
3. The weather
4. The ebook editions of Cheeky Spanking Stories, which vanished from Amazon and Bn.com days before their supposed release
5. Submissions after I've hit send

I feel better. Now back to the anthology I'm determined to finish before I go to Texas tomorrow! Oh, and I also have control over what I read, which right now is Murder by Mocha by Cleo Coyle, whose coffeeshop mystery series I adore. This one's about aphrodisiacs, and murder, of course. And Help, Thanks, Wow; The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott, in which she writes:

Light reveals us to ourselves, which is not always so great if you find yourself in a big disgusting mess, possibly of your own creation. But like sunflowers we turn toward light. Light warms, and in most cases it draws us to ourselves. And in this light, we can see beyond shadow and illusion to something beyond our modest receptors, to what is way beyond us, and deep inside.

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