Rachel Kramer Bussel's Blog, page 88

The best book I've ever edited is here: The Big Book of Orgasms

I've edited my share of book with "Best" in the title, and of course, any adjective is always subjective, including "best." But I can tell you that in my opinion, my best book is not any of them with "best" in the title, though I poured a lot of blood, sweat and tears into those. No, my best book, the one I will forever recommend when people are asking which of my books to check out, the one that I believe in so much I've invested more than $1,000 (more than portion of the advance after paying authors) into buying copies to send out to Amazon reviewers, is The Big Book of Orgasms: 69 Sexy Stories. Maybe it's crazy, but I never said I wasn't crazy. I just want to, for the first time in longer than I can remember, throw myself wholeheartedly, fiercely, passionately into loving one of my books, into being so proud of it I will tell anyone and everyone, rather than slinking around assuming that because it's erotica somehow "real" readers won't be interested (yes, there's a teeny part of me that thinks that). I've been so thrilled with the massive response this book has gotten from eager readers all across the country (and a few outside the U.S.) so far. I love that I'm publishing so many authors for the first time in one of my books, and some for the first time in print ever. That is an amazing feeling, but I want this to be about more than feelings: I want this to be about a book that can appeal to such a wide range of readers actually appealing to them. I know it's not really a catfight amongst my books, but yes, I want this book to do better than the others, even its cousin, Gotta Have It . I know super short stories (these are all 1,200 words or less) are not everyone's cup of tea, but on the other hand, everyone has time to read a story that's only 1,200 words. And I would think anyone interested in erotica would be interested in orgasms. And this book has heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay, transgender, multi-partner, vanilla and kinky stories. There's spanking and dirty talk and blue jeans and hot wax. There are couples and couplings, fashion and nudity, technology and sex toys. All my energy from now til the end of the year will be focused on making it a success, because I feel that my future as an erotica editor hangs in the balance.

Not that I wouldn't be given chances to keep editing, but if this book misses the mark, I will take that as my exit line (though I have books lined up into 2014). To me it's a test: can a book that I love so fiercely, that has 3 times more than the usual number of stories, that I go all out, no reservations, with, make it? Can it be my breakout star, my best seller, my little book that could? That is the dream I am putting my all into this fall. If you'd like to be part of the November online book tour, have me on your radio show or in person event, interview any of the authors in the book, or anything else, email me at orgasmantho at gmail.com and I will make sure you get what you need. just want to do a little mitzvah and pass along the book's Facebook page, @BigBookofOrgasm Twitter feed or Tumblr blog with excerpts, I'd so appreciate it. Of course I am glad that my other books are being read and enjoyed and reviewed, but this is the one I am devoted to, the one I am brainstorming like mad on how to get it on the radar of people who like dirty, sexy, sweet stories, ones they can read aloud to a lover, ones that take only a few minutes to read, but can be enjoyed repeatedly. I named my story after a Bruce Springsteen song, "I'm on Fire," and I am, indeed, on fire for this book. It's like my book baby, and like what I've heard from actual mothers, it's hard to think about anything else except this beautiful, shiny book that I've been eagerly anticipating, waiting to hold in my hands, savor, know it's real. It arrived just in time, both for my upcoming trip to Milwaukee, and in time to renew my faith in my genre, renew my excitement about this field I stumbled into as a lost, lonely law student. I've felt a little burnt out and uncertain lately, and still am, but I know that I am fiercely devoted to this book. I am so excited to be sending it out into the world. Now, dear, beloved, sexy, beautiful book, I hope you show me a little love back. I don't want this to be an unrequited romance. I want you to be on fire for me too. And I'm so excited for this book to be in stores very soon.



The Big Book of Orgasms will be for sale very soon from:

Amazon

Bn.com

Powell’s

Books-a-Million

IndieBound (find your nearest local independent bookstore)

Cleis Press

Since it's Monday, and you have been so patient as to indulge my book lust, here's the beginning of my story "I'm on Fire" - the other 1,042 words are available in the links above. Yes, you can get 69 stories for only $12.12 (Amazon's price), which my calculator tells me is less than 18 cents a story. So the book's a bargain to boot!

From "I'm on Fire" by Rachel Kramer Bussel:

Who doesn’t like a little hot wax drizzled on them? Okay, I know plenty of people don’t, but I say, more candles for me. I’m lucky to have a girlfriend with a perfectly complementary kinky mind. Ciara’s an artist, so it makes sense she’d love to decorate my body. We’ve even been photographed for a local art gallery, me coated in swirls of color, painted by her with the special candles we buy just for wax play.

Last Friday night, she surprised me. Monday is usually our date night, a way of reclaiming a normally mundane weeknight. But it had been a long week for both of us, and she knew I needed something special. In our house, that meant she texted me on her way home telling me to shower, get naked, spread the tarp out on the bed and wait for her. I did all that, although I couldn’t resist making myself come in the shower in anticipation.

My interview with Julie Maroh, author of graphic novel Blue Is the Warmest Color

Blue Is the Warmest Color is a graphic novel, originally published in French and out this month from Arsenal Pulp Press, about two women who fall in love, and the movie version is getting a lot of buzz. I interviewed author and artist Julie Maroh at Salon about her artistic process, the sex scenes in the book, feminism, her message for queer youth and more. If you like the interview, I'd love it if you'd spread the word and like it on Facebook. I hope to have more author Q&As coming up soon too, because I'm reading lots of fascinating books.

10 things you'll learn in my erotic writing workshops in New York, Milwaukee and Albuquerque

I'm gearing up for 3 erotic writing workshops (hopefully others will be booked soon) and wanted to share some of the things you'll learn in my workshop (which will differ slightly in each city). Those upcoming events (sign up at the links below to secure a spot) are being held:

Friday, September 20, 7:30-8:45 pm, NYC, $25
New York Academy of Sex Education, 81 White Street, Tribeca
All ticket holders are automatically part of the night raffle which includes sex toys, lube and erotic books! Prizes compliments of… The Pleasure Chest, Tantus and Sliquid.

Friday, September 27, 8-9:30 pm, Milwaukee, $20
The Tool Shed, 2427 N. Murray Ave

Tuesday, November 12, Albuquerque, 7:30-9 p.m., $20/person; $35/pair
Self Serve Toys, 3904b Central Ave SE

1. What an erotic story is

2. How much sex you need in an erotic story

3. How much money you can make writing erotica

4. How to incorporate everyday objects into your erotica

5. How to turn your own sexual experiences into erotica

6. How to write about sexual activities you haven't done

7. How to write about characters who are different from you

8. How to incorporate pop culture into your erotica

9. How to extend the life of an erotica story into multiple stories

10. How to widen the number of writing markets where you can sell your work

Want to learn more about erotica writing right now? Read my "5 Ways to Use Technology To Write Erotica" at Medium.

My Dubai stalker and why I moved to New Jersey at TueNight

I'm a Tuesday late in letting you know that I've written some essays at the new site TueNight, which updates, yes, every Tuesday. The first was for their bravery issue: "What I Learned From My Stalker" about last year's trip to Dubai, and the second is for this week's Escape issue: "Why FOMO Made Me Move to New Jersey." They're a new site and have some amazing content, so check them out. They're aimed at women 38+, which I will be in less than two months.

Using real life to inspire erotica stories

I recently wrote an erotica story that, if I'm lucky, will be published in an anthology next year (I'll keep you posted). I wrote it inspired by a flight I took from London to New York earlier this year. The best part is, I plan to use that flight as inspiration for another story. I don't want to spill all the details and give away the story, but I bet that in the course of every day, at least once, something happens, or you overhear or see something, that could inspire an erotica story. Want to hear more? Come to my class (and/or tell someone who want to write erotica or get their erotica published) that's happening this Friday night in Tribeca at the New York Academy of Sex Education (sign up at that link), 81 White Street, NYC. I wrote a guest post for them giving a little taste of what I teach in my classes (which also applies to my September 27th class at The Tool Shed in Milwaukee and my November 12th class at Self Serve Toys in Albuquerque).

For me, the moment when I convert the real-life event, sexual or otherwise, into a story idea, and then when I follow through and write the story, is my favorite part. It can involve taking the best or worst things that have happened to you and turning them into something that will entertain or inspire or with readers. I've eroticized everything from dishwashing to bukkake to the most horrific play party experience I've ever had in my life (definitely wasn't consensual because I didn't know it was going to be happening!) into erotica stories, and so can you! Links to all my upcoming events on my calendar page, and if you're interested in booking me, email me at rachelkb at gmail.com with "Erotica workshop" in the subject line. I've taught my class at colleges (University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, SUNY Purchase), conferences and sex toy stores.

Anal sex erotica on your Kindle or Nook: Happy publication day, Baby Got Back ebook!

As someone who reads print books as well as ebooks on Nook and Kindle (and Kindle for Mac), I'm thrilled that almost all my books are available in ebook form. Today is the official publication date for Baby Got Back: Anal Erotica for Kindle and Nook.


(note: I can't grab this image without the "look inside" part - go to Amazon to actually look inside it!)

I'll take this opportunity to share a review that was just posted on Amazon, especially the praise for mega bestselling author Tiffany Reisz, because to me it highlights the importance of erotica to many people. First and foremost, I see erotica as entertainment, on par with any other art form. But because it's about sex, it touches many people very deeply, which is why readers are often very picky about what they do and don't like in their smut. Whether they're masturbating as they read, or mentally masturbating, or looking for new ideas to try or simply looking for escape, arousal and/or a good story, they bring their own backgrounds and interests into it. I'm thrilled with this review by eagelebeaky, and you can read 23 others on Amazon.

This is a terrific collection of short stories, from beginning to... uhhh... end. (No pun intended. Well, maybe a little.) I found the first story -- "Brenda's Booty" -- to have quite a few downright funny moments [which honestly wasn't at all what I was expecting, considering the "taboo" nature of the subject matter]; I pretty much couldn't put the book down after that. (But that's OK, since it's a really fun read.) I especially appreciated the story "Rectified" due to the fact that the main character has a disabling/chronic medical condition; however, she is portrayed as an actual human being with needs and desires just like anyone else. (Kudos to the story's author and also to the book's editor for including a story like that, that dares to portray believable characters who sometimes have hang-ups and fears and obstacles to overcome.) "Lights Out" is an amazing little story of role-reversal. "Seat Belts" is just ridiculously hot. And "Plugged In" just seemed so relatable that it could've been about any couple in a relationship [one minute the characters are browsing in a store, and... well... then the story really heats up]. If you're a fan of any of editor Rachel Kramer Bussel's other anthologies, it goes without saying that you are certainly going to want to read this one as well. And if you're not yet familiar with any of her previous collections, I'm pretty sure you will be a fan after giving this one a try.

My erotica audiobook Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex is 8 times more popular than the print version

When you have a world class, genius narrator and promoter like Rose Caraway, it's not that surprising that, if I'm reading my last royalty statement correctly, the Audible audiobook version of Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex sold over 8 times the number of copies as the print and ebook versions in the second quarter of 2013.



When I first saw this, I was actually kindof bummed: does that mean the print version sucked? Is it worth editing 69-story collections? What did I do wrong? It's depressing when a book you've devoted your time and attention and passion to bombs, even if it's a temporary nosedive. For me, and I'm sure I take it way too personally, but that's how I roll, when it happens repeatedly it makes me question whether I should find a new way to make a living, whether my books have simply run their course and readers are looking elsewhere for their smut. It was a shock to me since the sales dropped drastically from the first quarter of the year. But then I started looking at it a little differently, concluding instead that the audiobook kept the print book alive. That audiobook, which I believe has been my bestselling audiobook, has been in the Audible erotica and sexuality bestseller list for quite a while. It's garnered many reviews and I'm pretty sure has brought new listeners to my work, listeners who just might seek out my other stories and books. Those sales, in fact, made Gotta Have It my second bestselling book that quarter, after Suite Encounters: Hotel Sex Stories (click through to read the introduction and more about it).

That is amazing, and awe inspiring, and makes incredibly grateful to Rose Caraway for being so good at her job that she helped pave the way for my future books. I'm seeing as I browse my Audible listings as well as those of other authors that the narrator pretty much makes or breaks the audiobook. The reviewers there can be pretty scathing. What I love about it too is that there is no way on earth I could produce an audiobook myself, but thanks to Cleis Press and Audible and Rose, this book has been given a new life, one I'm incredibly proud of. So thank you for listening, and thank you Rose for working your magic on my big little book (which is what I'm calling these 69-story collections, since they look and feel differently in my hands that my usual proper paperback sized ones).

For those who haven't heard Rose's narration, here's some samples. And a bonus for those who read this far: if you've enjoyed any of my Audible audiobooks, leave a new 5-star review today or tomorrow and send me the link at rachelkb at gmail.com with "Audible" in the subject line and which of you'd like and I'll send it to you free! Offer expires September 17 at 11:59 p.m. EST and applies to reviews dates September 16 and 17.

Laugh by Sommer Marsden

Click here to listen to the free mp3





Police Dogging by Elizabeth Coldwell

Click here to listen to the free mp3





Remembering the Wrinkles by Penelope Friday

Click here to listen to the free mp3





Not Just a Myth by Heidi Champa

Click here to listen to the free mp3





The Dirty Things She Says by Sinclair Sexsmith

Click here to listen to the free mp3

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And for a little more aural pleasure, the official book trailer, featuring 17 of the 69 contributors:

On sexy selfies, slut shaming, teenagers and respect

My latest for the Boinkology sex and tech collection at Medium is "Dear Mrs. Hall: Boys and Men Can See Sexy Selfies and Still Respect Women" (and I meant "still respect girls" too), subtitled "Why Kim Hall’s viral FYI selfie letter is as insulting to teenage boys as it is to teenage girls," about the infamous blog post going around. If you like it, please click "recommend" at the bottom, which helps more people see it and helps keep me writing for Medium, which is a site I highly recommend checking out (there are posts about pretty much everything). Here's part of the piece:

Taking this idea that one image can sear itself indelibly into a boy’s mind one step further into the real world—does this mean that if a girl wears a skimpy outfit to school, by extension her sons will never be able to respect her as a person? What if in high school or college or beyond she flashes her breasts, or makes out with him, or even sleeps with him? Will he never be able to be friends or colleagues with her?

Read the whole thing

Help me fulfill my birthday goal of 100 reviews for The Big Book of Orgasms

I'm turning 38 on November 10th. I'll be in Albuquerque, ahead of my workshop on November 12th at Self Serve Toys, and I've decided what I want for my birthday is 100 reviews on Amazon.com for my new, gorgeous anthology The Big Book of Orgasms. Follow along on the Tumblr, @BigBookofOrgasm on Twitter and Facebook for excerpts from all 69 stories.

So, how can you help? You must have a U.S. mailing address (sorry, I can't afford to send books overseas), an Amazon.com account you've made a purchase from and be willing to post your review by November 10th; I'll be sending books by media mail as soon as I get them, by the end of September. Reviews can be short - Amazon recommends 75 to 300 words, and the stories are all 1,200 words or less so you can read several in an hour. You get a free, autographed book and my thanks, and the knowledge that you helped me celebrate my birthday and helped my book succeed. Email orgasmantho at gmail.com with "Amazon" in the subject line and your name and U.S. address in the body and I will send it to you very soon. Please only sign up if you can commit to posting your review by November 10th!

I'm putting everything I have into making this book a raving success, the bestseller of my 54 anthologies, and if it does as well as I'm hoping, I will hop on board to edit many more. I'm considering this a sort of test case/Ouija board to help direct me in my next career choices, and I love erotica so I want to keep doing it, but it only makes sense to do so if there's a wide audience for my books, so anything you can do to spread the word is wonderful. I have such a good feeling about this book and think it truly is a book of erotica that offers something for any reader.

Lena Dunham fans, rejoice: The Unofficial Girls Guide to New York is coming in November, plus the official wall calendar is out now

Updated

On November 19, Smart Pop Books will publish The Unofficial Girls Guide to New York by Judy Gelman and Peter Zheutlin.



Here's the official blurb:

HBO’s Girls, created by and co-written by its star Lena Dunham, is the most talked about new show of the last few years. Its original voice, refreshingly frank treatment of friendship and sex, and snapshot of its particular subculture in present-day New York, have made it don’t-miss television for millions across demographic lines.

Now, hang out in Hannah, Marnie, Jessa, and Shoshanna’s favorite spots with The Unofficial Girls Guide to New York. Judy Gelman and Peter Zheutlin, authors of The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook, provide an insightful guided tour of Girls’ physical and cultural landscape, from Brooklyn bars and Bushwick warehouse parties to the Foundry (where Jessa tied the knot) and Coney Island Beach (where Hannah had leftover wedding cake the morning after).

Visit Café Grumpy and learn how to make a French press coffee the way Ray and Hannah would. Go behind the scenes at Greenhouse, the hot Manhattan club where Hannah and Elijah go to see AndrewAndrew. Choose your own add-ons for an Oberlin burrito, get authentic cupcake recipes from prominent NYC bakeries (eating them in the bathtub with friends is optional), and discover what makes Peanut Butter & Co.’s Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Hannah and Adam’s favorite.

It’s the best way to visit Girls’ New York (and beyond) without paying for a plane ticket—or a perfect complement to a sightseeing trip.

The Unofficial Girls Guide to New York is full color and photo illustrated.

The blad the publisher is sending out for review includes part of the book. This is from the introduction:

We wanted to provide an authentic experience for readers, so we interviewed locals, establishment owners, bartenders, website editors, DJs, bakers, chefs, and staff at various New York attractions. It gave us the opportunity to revisit famous spots such as Staten Island and Washington Square Park, and to discover lesser-known places such as Spoonbill & Sugartown, Booksellers in Williams- burg, where Hannah and Sandy frolic, and the Little Cupcake Bakeshop in the Nolita section of Manhattan. Sometimes, where it wasn’t obvious, we did some digging to figure out where scenes were shot, such as Bamonte’s, an Italian restaurant in Williams- burg that served as a stand-in for Peter Luger Steak House, where Jessa and Thomas-John have dinner with his parents.

...Many Girls fans asked us to include the White Russian recipe from Tom & Jerry’s, the Manhattan bar where Jessa stops for a drink before her scheduled abortion, and the owner was happy to provide it.

Many cultural references in the show are intertwined with the locations, and they intrigued us, too. When we realized the Galactic Safe Sex Ball at Oberlin was based on a real event at the college, we connected with the students at Oberlin who run it to find out more. We spoke with the deputy editor of xoJane, the online news magazine parodied as JazzHate in Girls. We talked to AndrewAndrew, the “iPad DJs” that make an appearance at Greenhouse, the West Village nightclub where Hannah and Elijah have a wild night.

The book includes, among other recipes, one for CHristina's Polish Restaurant's potato and cheese perogies. The book has Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

This is fitting, given the popularity of WNYC's Girls hotpots map, covered in The New York Times and many other venues. In June Lena Dunham posted a photo on Instagram of a sign touting an unofficial Girls tour, though many, including Brokelyn, said it probably wasn't real. But many have done their own personal version of such a tour: Crushable, Time Out New York , Brooklyn Exposed and others have offered up their own guides. The newyork.com details The Williamsburg Edge, Peter Luger Steak House, the Bedford Avenue L station, Royal Oak, Fada, Coney Island, the Jane Hotel, and even Queens, location of The Foundry in Long Island City, where Tessa and Thomas John got married. In February, Rebecca Nicholson traveled to Brooklyn for The Guardian , staying at Williamsburg's Wythe Hotel, and wrote about Brooklyn's appeal as she hit Café Grumpy, Beacon's Closet, Bushwick restaurant Roberta's, Bushwick Country Club, Brooklyn Bowl and other locales, concluding:

Girls' New York doesn't suit a bus tour, to be honest – looking at facades and coffee shops makes a strange pilgrimage – but the spirit of it is entirely within reach, and neon string vests are, thankfully, optional.

Vulture visited some of the sites and offers up a video, in which a Café Grumpy barista says a guy came from Canada because he'd seen it on the show:



Deadline reports that the Season 2 Girls finale drew 632,000 viewers, "down from the 1 million who watched the show’s Season 1 finale June 17," but buzz is already building for Season 3.

HBO is also courting Girls fans with a range of official products, from Deborah Lippman nail polish to t-shirts with sayings like "Deflowered not Devalued" and "I Am Unfit for Any & All Paying Jobs" to an iPhone and iPad case and a 2014 Girls wall calendar. "Girls 2014 features photos from the first two seasons of the HBO show." What else? 11X17 posters of characters and resolutions: Hannah ("I Resolve To Not Let Guys Treat My Heart Like Monkey Meat"), Jessa ("I Resolve To Not Flirt With My Boss"), Marnie ("I Resolve To Be Less Uptight") Shoshanna ("I Resolve To Meet A Young Financial Planner"), Adam ("I Resolve To Wear A Shirt") and Ray ("I Resolve To Stop Dating Younger Women").