Rachel Kramer Bussel's Blog, page 13
May 15, 2018
May madness
In a few short weeks I fly to Berlin for my erotica writing workshop at feminist sex toy store Other Nature. I'm excited to teach there and meet Berlin readers and see my books in two languages (I do have a few copies of some of my German translations, but have never seen them in a store before).
When looking at flight options, I had to decide if I was finally going to make this trip, or let all my fears about money overwhelm me. Clearly, I chose the trip, and I'm still not sure if it was the "smart" thing to do given that I am paying off debt and have an unpredictable income. But I made the decision partly because I knew having an impending international trip would force me to finish projects that I've lingered over.
This week, unless I get so frustrated I give up, my self-published anthology Candy Lovers will be published. I'll post the buy link the second it's ready, I promise; this book has been more time-consuming and expensive than I could ever have imagined, which is probably a good thing or I wouldn't have tried to put it out myself. I've almost got my Word document finalized with all the authors' edits; then I will need to convert it to be read by Kindle and whatever other steps (probably many of them) need to happen so you can click and buy it on Amazon.
I've been quiet here because I'm trying to get that ready, finish writing deadlines, revise Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 4, out November 19 (ebook, which will be reflected at retailers soon), book BWE4 readings, work with private clients, take swimming lessons and a bunch of other tasks. I've got a lot of travel coming up this year; several months, I'll be away every or almost every weekend. So I'm just reminding myself that I love what I do, I'm very lucky to get to do it and make a real living at it, and that my job now is to learn how to do things differently.
I've also booked my first big advertising campaign that will launch in January ("big" in my world). I'm excited about that; there's a sweepstakes involved. It's all thrilling, but just as easily overwhelming, so I try to balance those two out. Then when I'm back from Berlin I plan to finally tackle the other big project, my online writing classes. So stay tuned. I'm honored and humbled that I've already had so much interest, but that also makes me want to make these classes as amazing as they can be.
When looking at flight options, I had to decide if I was finally going to make this trip, or let all my fears about money overwhelm me. Clearly, I chose the trip, and I'm still not sure if it was the "smart" thing to do given that I am paying off debt and have an unpredictable income. But I made the decision partly because I knew having an impending international trip would force me to finish projects that I've lingered over.
This week, unless I get so frustrated I give up, my self-published anthology Candy Lovers will be published. I'll post the buy link the second it's ready, I promise; this book has been more time-consuming and expensive than I could ever have imagined, which is probably a good thing or I wouldn't have tried to put it out myself. I've almost got my Word document finalized with all the authors' edits; then I will need to convert it to be read by Kindle and whatever other steps (probably many of them) need to happen so you can click and buy it on Amazon.
I've been quiet here because I'm trying to get that ready, finish writing deadlines, revise Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 4, out November 19 (ebook, which will be reflected at retailers soon), book BWE4 readings, work with private clients, take swimming lessons and a bunch of other tasks. I've got a lot of travel coming up this year; several months, I'll be away every or almost every weekend. So I'm just reminding myself that I love what I do, I'm very lucky to get to do it and make a real living at it, and that my job now is to learn how to do things differently.
I've also booked my first big advertising campaign that will launch in January ("big" in my world). I'm excited about that; there's a sweepstakes involved. It's all thrilling, but just as easily overwhelming, so I try to balance those two out. Then when I'm back from Berlin I plan to finally tackle the other big project, my online writing classes. So stay tuned. I'm honored and humbled that I've already had so much interest, but that also makes me want to make these classes as amazing as they can be.
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!
April 23, 2018
Sexy German erotica book covers for World Book Day
Since today, April 23, is World Book Day (not to be confused with Erotic World Book Day), it seems fitting to post these German erotica book covers, translations of a few of my titles. The photo is from the Other Nature Facebook page where they're promoting my June 12 Berlin erotica writing workshop. I have copies of some, but not all, of these titles, so will be stocking up when I visit Other Nature. Can't wait! Wherever you are, I hope you're getting some reading time in this World Book Day.
April 17, 2018
Limited time hotel erotica book sale!
This month is a double ebook sale month: in addition to the previous Gotta Have It sale, right now through Sunday, April 22, my hotel erotica anthology Do Not Disturb: Hotel Sex Stories is only $1.99 for U.S. ebook retailers.
Get these sexy hotel and motel stories at a bargain price:
Kindle
Nook
Google Play
iBooks
Kobo
If you want to get an email whenever my books go on sale, which happens throughout the year, just follow me on BookBub.
Get these sexy hotel and motel stories at a bargain price:
Kindle
Nook
Google Play
iBooks
Kobo
If you want to get an email whenever my books go on sale, which happens throughout the year, just follow me on BookBub.
April 16, 2018
3 new kinky erotica audiobooks
I'm very happy to share that three of my Cleis Press kinky erotica anthologies are now available for your listening pleasure in audiobook form on Audible. If you don't have an Audible account, you can also use your Amazon login information to access Audible, since Amazon owns Audible. These titles are already out in print and ebook but the audiobooks are all brand new. Two of them have narrators I haven't worked with before, and the latest, The Big Book of Submission, Volume 2: 69 Kinky Tales, is narrated by Rose Caraway, who also narrated the first volume. If you like femdom BDSM stories, don't miss Please, Ma'am, and if you like bondage, especially creative bondage stories, several of which have a fun home repair theme, check out Best Bondage Erotica 2015. Yes, I know it's 2018, but I promise, they're just as sexy three years later.
You can listen to a free sample of each of these by clicking on the links below. Audible lets you purchase these a la carte or get a monthly membership. Hope you like them!
The Big Book of Submission, Volume 2: 69 Kinky Tales
Please, Ma'am: Erotic Stories of Male Submission
Best Bondage Erotica 2015
You can listen to a free sample of each of these by clicking on the links below. Audible lets you purchase these a la carte or get a monthly membership. Hope you like them!
The Big Book of Submission, Volume 2: 69 Kinky Tales
Please, Ma'am: Erotic Stories of Male Submission
Best Bondage Erotica 2015
Want a free share of stock? Join me on Robinhood
Since I turned 40 in 2015, I've been thinking about retirement and investing and basically trying to get my money in order like an adult. That includes everything from not taking non-paying and low-paying writing gigs to ramping up my erotica writing consulting service and soon-to-launch Teachable online writing classes.
The other component of getting my finances in order the way I imagine everyone else did in their twenties is investing in the stock market. I also have retirement savings but I want to both supplement that and make sure I'm maximizing every opportunity for savings. To that end, I joined the Robinhood app so I can quickly, easily and cheaply buy stocks, especially in small amounts to start out. If you join Robinhood via my link, you'll get a free share of a random stock of their choice, and so will I. So far, I've gotten six free shares, which make up over half my very small portfolio: three shares of Sprint, two shares of Groupon and one share of Zynga. Yes, you get those totally free, I assume because Robinhood wants people to start using the app to see how simple it is.
I'm a complete novice when it comes to investing but I'm studying as much as I can and researching the companies I care about and use, like Stitchfix (that link is also an affiliate link). On the Stitchfix front, I recommend listening to this NPR podcast interview with CEO and founder Katrina Lake. All my favorite clothes of the last year have come from Stitchfix, and I've discovered fashion brands I now adore, like Leota. I'll be blogging more about my favorite Stitchfix looks soon.
So I'm not going to give you any advice because there are umpteen financial advice blogs and websites out there. Good luck playing the market if you do try Robinhood!
The other component of getting my finances in order the way I imagine everyone else did in their twenties is investing in the stock market. I also have retirement savings but I want to both supplement that and make sure I'm maximizing every opportunity for savings. To that end, I joined the Robinhood app so I can quickly, easily and cheaply buy stocks, especially in small amounts to start out. If you join Robinhood via my link, you'll get a free share of a random stock of their choice, and so will I. So far, I've gotten six free shares, which make up over half my very small portfolio: three shares of Sprint, two shares of Groupon and one share of Zynga. Yes, you get those totally free, I assume because Robinhood wants people to start using the app to see how simple it is.
I'm a complete novice when it comes to investing but I'm studying as much as I can and researching the companies I care about and use, like Stitchfix (that link is also an affiliate link). On the Stitchfix front, I recommend listening to this NPR podcast interview with CEO and founder Katrina Lake. All my favorite clothes of the last year have come from Stitchfix, and I've discovered fashion brands I now adore, like Leota. I'll be blogging more about my favorite Stitchfix looks soon.
So I'm not going to give you any advice because there are umpteen financial advice blogs and websites out there. Good luck playing the market if you do try Robinhood!
April 9, 2018
April newsletter with BDSM erotica giveaway of Serving Him
Here's my April newsletter. It's got news about my Berlin erotica writing workshop, two book sales this month and two giveaways. The Serving Him BDSM erotica giveaway is only open to subscribers, so if you're not on my mailing list, you can subscribe here. I send one newsletter per month and do book giveaways that are open internationally each month.
Smut Slam Berlin coming up April 16
Berlin readers, with my upcoming June 12 Berlin erotica writing workshop booked, I've been researching other cool events in Berlin. I wanted to make sure you know about Smut Slam Berlin on Monday, April 16, with the theme of "BOOTY," hosted by the wonderful Cameryn Moore. You can get tickets here and spread the word using the . I won't be in Berlin for it, but I wish I could attend! Here's the official description:
BOOTY. Maybe you have it. Maybe you want it. Either way, it's all here at SMUT SLAM!Cameryn is also hosting BEDx Berlin on Tuesday, April 24. It's described as: "BEDx is a new night dedicated to current research, art, and education about topics in sex and sexuality. BEDx brings local and international researchers, artists, and educators to the stage for 10-minute presentations about their pet topics, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A."
This April, Berlin's only dirty storytelling open mic--based on real life, real lust, real sex--is putting out that steam heat at Lovelite (Haasestraße 1, Berlin), with the theme of "BOOTY." Be as literal or metaphorical as you like: Treasure. Ass. Late-night hook-up call. Just bring us your story, and we'll be behind you 100%!
Here's a video to give you a little taste of Smut Slam:
Created and hosted by professional perv Cameryn Moore, the Smut Slam features real-life, first-person sex stories, guest stories from our panel of celebrity judges, and also THE SMUTBUCKET, a convenient receptacle for all your anonymous questions and confessions!
April 6, 2018
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
Kindle
Nook
Google Play
iBooks
Kobo
April 2, 2018
Let's hang out May 2 in Atlantic City
Update: The date changed from its original date to May 2, so I've revised to reflect that. Please join me or spread the word to anyone who might be interested. If you're not local but want to support a progressive candidate in a key House seat, any size donation to will go a long way toward helping her win on June 5.
,br>This isn't my event, but I'm proudly attending this fundraiser in Atlantic City at Vagabond on Wednesday, May 2 from 7-9 pm and meet and greet for Tanzie Youngblood for Congress. Tanzie is running for Congress in my district, New Jersey 2, on a progressive platform that includes gun control, funding for Planned Parenthood, better care for veterans and more. It costs $50 to attend this event. If you're local and can't attend and have questions for Tanzie, email me and I'd be happy to ask them for you. The Democratic primary is June 5, and you must register to vote by May 15.
Her opponent, Jeff Van Drew, has been endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and has an "A" rating from the NRA, voted against same-sex marriage and wants to bring back the death penalty:
,br>This isn't my event, but I'm proudly attending this fundraiser in Atlantic City at Vagabond on Wednesday, May 2 from 7-9 pm and meet and greet for Tanzie Youngblood for Congress. Tanzie is running for Congress in my district, New Jersey 2, on a progressive platform that includes gun control, funding for Planned Parenthood, better care for veterans and more. It costs $50 to attend this event. If you're local and can't attend and have questions for Tanzie, email me and I'd be happy to ask them for you. The Democratic primary is June 5, and you must register to vote by May 15.
Her opponent, Jeff Van Drew, has been endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and has an "A" rating from the NRA, voted against same-sex marriage and wants to bring back the death penalty:
Last month, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee threw its weight behind Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey state senator with a 100 percent rating from the National Rifle Association. Van Drew once accepted a $1,000 donation from the group, and has been dubbed one of the “most conservative Democrats” in the New Jersey legislature, a moniker he's earned for having co-sponsored legislation to bring back the state’s death penalty for certain murder convictions, and require parental notification for minors seeking abortions. He was also one of just two state Senate Democrats to vote against same-sex marriage in 2012.You can read more about that at Newsweek .
