Giselle Renarde's Blog, page 149

Loving the Legs (or For the Love of All Things Hairy)

Nothing cuts a person down to size like a "mom" insult. You know what I mean? When your mom insults you? Yeah. That. My mother is generally pretty supportive, open-minded, and queer-friendly, but she really, really, REALLY hates that I don't shave my legs. That's right, I quit shaving a few years ago--kind of a feminist-lesbian statement combined with the fact that my hair grows so fast I'd be prickly right out of the shower. So I gave up shaving, and it bugs the hell out of my mother.

The other day, she said to me, "It's okay for your brother's legs to be that hairy, but not yours!" Why? Because he's a BOY and I'm a GIRL. It irked me to no end that my mother would not only say that to me, but think that way. Whether I shave my legs, whether I wear skirts, whether I wear make-up (yeah, I don't do any of those things) is MY CHOICE. My girlfriend doesn't mind, and she had a hell of a lot more up-close interaction with my legs than you do, maman.

So, thinking about all this, I decided it was time to show my hairy legs some love. They deserve it! Hence, this little photo shoot showcasing my wonderfully hairy legs. (Look how white they seem! Must be the lighting.) If you ask me, there's nothing more genderqueer than hairy legs and heels...and satin! Except maybe a beard and a ballgown, but mine hasn't grown in yet. ;-)





On a side note, which could probably be a whole other post, I should point out that my mother loves my transsexual girlfriend to no end. Seriously, she and Sweet get along better than I even could have imagined. I thought my mom might have trepidations about spending so much time with an MTF trans person, but she interacts with Sweet the same way she would with any other woman.

What does this have to do with my hairy legs? Well, Sweet is a good girl. She doesn't have hairy legs. She wears make-up and skirts and jewellery. She fulfils social expectations imposed upon and desired of women. There's really nothing jarring about her appearance. She looks the way a woman should. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that if it's a woman's choice (and, having been raised a boy, it's obviously been a more challenging choice to put into action for Sweet than it might be for biological females) I'm only saying that I'm exerting my own choice: I choose cargo pants and running shoes (well, except in this photo shoot where I wanted to establish a certain genderqueer dissonance), I choose no make-up, and I choose hairy legs. Here's to choice, here's to legs, and here's to all things hairy!

Big Hugs,
Giselle

"Loving the Legs bonus pics:"





Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

http://www.wix.com/gisellerenarde/ero...

Check Out My Hot New Lesbian Anal Fetish Cover!

Before I seek refuge somewhere air-conditioned (Canada shouldn't be this hot!), I thought I'd share the cover (created by Dawné Dominique) for my upcoming lesbian threesome D/s anal fetish ebook, Elementary, My Dear Kathryn. The thing I love about this baby (and the reason most of my other publishers wouldn't look at it) is that this erotic story features an enema. Yeah, some people think that's hot. I do! And not something you come across all that often in lesbian erotica, most likely because of the restraints many publishers put on our work. It's considered "squicky" by some.
Thank heavens for loveyoudivine Alterotica!

When they were children, Kathryn played the slave to Mistress Melanie. That was thirty years ago. Now Melanie's all grown, and she's got a Domme of her own, Pasha. When Melanie gets an invitation from her elementary school to attend their reunion, she and Pasha meet up with Kathryn for the first time as adults. Beautiful and bi-curious, Kathryn is still eager to submit to Melanie's whims. But Pasha calls all the shots now, and Melanie will do to Kathryn only what pleases her Domme.
Coming Soon to loveyoudivine Alterotica!Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

http://www.wix.com/gisellerenarde/ero...

Don't Break Anything While I'm Away!

Dear Wonderful Reader,
By the time you read this, I will be deep in the woods. City life, with its construction and heat and pollution and littering and rudeness, has been driving me nuts and I finally have the opportunity to take a nice little vacation. YAY! I couldn't be happier. But...hey kid, don't look so downhearted. I will miss you. In fact, I'll think about you every day.
While I'm away, feel free to enter this little contest I've got going. You could win a Giselle Renarde erotica e-book! Click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DLL9C9B or fill out the web form:

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

http://www.wix.com/gisellerenarde/ero...

New Release: IN THE EYE, A BBA Menage Story

If you loved my multicultural MMF menage novella ALL THE WAY and now you'd like to read a similarly-themed story that's set in the summer rather than at Christmastime, here's your opportunity!
About In The Eye, a BBA Menage story

by Giselle Renarde
32 pages / 8900 words
Ebook zipped file contains - html, lit, Adobe and Sony optimized pdf, prc, epub

Dale and Xu are not your typical tornado-chasers. These guys don't pretend to be in it for the research. It's a thrill ride for them. Hell, they spend September to May bettering their minds as Grad students, and then spend most of the summer teaching seminar courses. This is their time to kick back before summer session starts. When Susitna begs to come along on their annual adventure, Xu is absolutely opposed to the idea. Dale convinces him to take her on as a driver so they can fulfill their fantasy of getting it on in the backseat during a storm--but they don't tell her that! How will Susitna react to the boys' storm fetish?

Sample

As Dale surged forward, the air seemed to get very heavy. He spotted Xu and Susi in the distance before he noticed the darkened cloud system over a bright afternoon sky. "Did you find Charlie?" he called to them, out of breath already. And then he heard the dog barking like crazy up ahead, and a familiar sense of trepidation overtook him.

Xu pointed way out into the distance. "What do you think?"

Jogging up to them, Dale stared up at the charcoal grey sky. The winds were picking up and, without any more warning than that, they were caught in a downpour.

"What the fuck, man?" Susi shouted, picking up Charlie and holding the puppy tight against her chest. Charlie stopped barking, and now sat quivered against her owner's ample cleavage. "Where did this come from?"

Dale couldn't offer any response. He'd planned on tracking storms, or at least seeing what the real storm trackers had to say this evening when they arrived at some cheap and cozy motel in Omaha or thereabouts. When he looked to his partner in crime, Xu said the same thing. "I haven't had a chance to listen in yet. I wanted to get my course-planning out of the way first." He held up his cell phone, shielding it from the onslaught. "I don't get reception out here."

"Wherever here is," Susi said through chattering teeth. Her dark, wet hair slapped her face, and she had to shout over the high winds. They should have been running, trying to escape this massive rainfall, but there was nothing quite so mesmerizing as a possibility.

You can buy a copy of IN THE EYE from Torquere Press!

Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

http://www.wix.com/gisellerenarde/ero...

Call for Submissions: Good Housekeeping Contest (USA Only)

So, here's one I'm not eligible for (being all Canadian and stuff) but you might be. "Your story should reflect an aspect of women's lives today." Oh, I dare you to write queer fiction for this one, my friends. If you do and win, I'll eat my hat. Well, I don't have a hat, but you can buy me one with your $3,000:

Good Housekeeping Short Story Contest

Deadline: 1 September 2011

Submit a short story, no longer than 3,500 words, to fictioncontest@goodhousekeeping.com. Your story should reflect an aspect of women's lives today. Please include the title of your story in the subject line. Submissions must be an original work of fiction, not previously published or a finalist for any other prize or award. Please include your full name, address, daytime phone number, and email address.

Eligibility:

Contest is open to anyone, age 21 or older, who is a legal resident of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Deadlines:

Manuscripts will be accepted beginning July 1, 2011. All entries must be received by September 1, 2011. Only one entry per person allowed. Submitted material cannot be returned or acknowledged. Winners will be notified by February 15, 2012. Decisions of the judging panel are final.

Prizes:

One grand-prize winner will receive $3,000 and possible publication of the winning story in the May 2012 issue. Two runners-up will each receive $750 and may have their stories published on goodhousekeeping.com.


Official Contest Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING

How to Enter:

Beginning July 1, 2011 at 12:01 AM (ET) through September 1, 2011 at 11:59 PM (ET) go to goodhousekeeping.com/fictioncontest and submit your entry pursuant to the onscreen instructions. Applicants must submit an original short story, 3,500 words or less, on a theme that reflects an aspect of women's lives today. Winner Selection: One (1) grand-prize winner and two (2) runners-up will be chosen at the sole discretion of Good Housekeeping's judges panel. All entries will be judged on artistic merit and originality. In the event of a tie, whichever story the judges deem most suitable for publication in Good Housekeeping will be the winner. By participating in the contest, entrant certifies that his/her entry is original, has not been previously published or won any award, and does not contain any material that would violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including copyrights, trademarks or rights or privacy or publicity. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole and unfettered discretion to disqualify any entry that it believes contains obscene, offensive or inappropriate content, that does not comply with these official rules or that is not consistent with the spirit or theme of the contest. The decision of the Sponsor and judges is final and binding on all matters relating to the Contest. All entries become the property of Good Housekeeping and can be used to promote Sponsor in all media. The Winner also agrees to participate in all PR efforts surrounding the contest, including but not limited to an editorial photo shoot for Good Housekeeping, local and national television tapings and interviews, print and online interviews, and Good Housekeeping-approved photo distribution to all press outlets. Prizes and Approximate Retail Values: One (1) Grand-prize winner will receive $3,000 and possible publication in the May 2012 issue of Good Housekeeping. Two (2) runners-up will each receive $750 and possible publication on goodhousekeeping.com. Winners will be notified via phone, e-mail or postal mail, at Sponsor's discretion on or about February 15, 2012 Winner's List: For winners' names, send a separate self-addressed, stamped envelope to Short Story Contest, 300 w. 57th Street, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10019 by April 15, 2012. Winners' names will also be posted online on goodhousekeeping.com. Incomplete entry forms or entry forms that have been tampered with will be disqualified.

ENTRIES:

Limit (1) one entry per person and per e-mail address for THE 2011 Good Housekeeping Short Story CONTEST (referred to as the "Promotion"). Entries using macro, robotic, script or other forms of automatic entry will be disqualified. Entries become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned. Proof of submission does not constitute proof of receipt. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, incomplete, or inaccurate entries. If there is a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, the prize will be awarded to the authorized account holder of the email address. The "authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person to whom the email address is assigned by an internet service provider, online service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address.

ELIGIBILITY:

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who have reached the age of 21 years or older at time of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Employees of Sponsor, its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, participating advertising and promotion agencies, the independent judging organization and prize suppliers (and members of their immediate family and/or those living in the same of household of each such employee) are not eligible.

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:

Online entrants must have valid e-mail address and it is entrant's responsibility to update Sponsor of any change in e-mail address. Expenses not specifically included in prize description and all taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. Each prize is awarded "as is" with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied outside of manufacturer's limited warranty. No transfer, assignment or substitution of a prize permitted, except Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize for an item of equal or greater value in the event an advertised prize is unavailable. All federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations apply. Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Promotion. Winners may be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release and where legally permissible a Publicity Release within 7 days following the date of first attempted notification. Failure to comply with this deadline may result in forfeiture of the prize and selection of an alternate winner. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Winner hereby further agrees that it will sign any documents necessary to transfer copyright of the entry to Sponsor within 7 days following the date of first attempted notification. Acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its agencies to use winner's name and/or likeness, biographical material and/or entry (including an altered form of the entry) for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law. By accepting prize, winner agrees to hold Sponsor, its advertising and promotion agencies and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, representative agents, successors, assigns, officers, directors, and employees harmless for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in the Promotion or acceptance or use of the prize. Sponsor is not responsible for any printing, typographical, mechanical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Promotion or in the announcement of the prize.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: fictioncontest@goodhousekeeping.com

For submissions: fictioncontest@goodhousekeeping.com

Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

http://www.wix.com/gisellerenarde/ero...

Writing Contest Young Nova Scotians: Deadline Fast Approaching!

When I say "fast approaching," I mean stories are due by July 15, 2011. Yikes! Sorry for the short notice, but this one only crossed my desk today. Anyway, this writing contest is for Nova Scotians (Nova Scotia is a Canadian province for those who have no idea what I'm talking about) who are between the ages of 13 and 22. There are cash prizes being offered, but the most exciting bit is the opportunity to meet celebrated author Lawrence Hill! (Wish I were under 22...and Nova Scotian...)
If you're reading my blog, I'm assuming you're over 18 (You'd better be! There's some eeeerotic content 'round these parts!) but if you know any younger teens who live in Nova Scotia, do direct them to the contest website. Here's the link: http://www.gov.ns.ca/ansa
And here are the details:

What's this contest all about?

The United Nations has chosen 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent. To celebrate, the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs is holding a writing contest for young writers aged 13-22.


The contest is open to Nova Scotians of all backgrounds, but entries must express a connection to the culture, heritage, and/or experiences of people of African descent. For example, stories and poems could be set in historical or contemporary African Nova Scotian communities, they could focus on a prominent person of African descent, or they could connect in another way. It's up to you — be creative!

Who can enter?

Any Canadian citizen or landed immigrant who has lived in Nova Scotia since Oct. 1, 2010, and who is between the ages of 13 and 22 as of the contest closting date – July 15, 2011. The contest is split into two age categories: 13-17 and 18-22.

What do I have to do?

Send us your short story, poem(s) or spoken word lyrics by July 15. Stories can be up to 2,500 words long. You can submit up to five poems or spoken word pieces, to a total maximum length of 1,500 words.

What can I win?

In each age group, we'll be giving out three prizes:

First place - $500
Second place - $250
Third place - $150

Winners also get to have lunch with Lawrence Hill, author of the acclaimed best seller The Book of Negroes. And they'll be recognized at an awards ceremony during the African Diaspora Heritage Trail conference, being held September 22-24 in Halifax.

How do I enter?

To enter, download an entry form here and fill it out. You can send your entries by email to ansa_newsletter@gov.ns.ca, and please use the phrase "IYPAD Creative Writing Contest" in the subject line.

You can also send entries by mail or drop them off at our office:

Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs
5670 Spring Garden Road, Suite 604
PO Box 2691 Halifax, NS B3J 1H6

Important formatting rules: Electronic entries must submitted as a Microsoft Word or RTF document, while hard-copy entries must be typed in black ink on plain white paper (8 ½" x 11"). Use a decent-sized, easy-to-read font, such as Times New Roman 12-pt. Fiction entries must be double-spaced, while poetry can be single-spaced.

All entries must have a one-inch margin on all sides, with pages numbered in order in the upper right-hand corner. As well, the title of your manuscript must appear on each page, but DO NOT include your name on the actual manuscript – only on your entry form. That way your entry will be anonymous to the judges.

Also, remember that all entries must be signed, including those submitted by email. If you're under 18 years old, a parent or guardian needs to sign the form too. You can scan and email, send by fax to 902.424.7189 … just make sure you send a signed form.

When is the deadline?

Emailed and hand-delivered entries must arrive by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 15. Mailed entries must be postmarked by July 15. Hard-copy entries will not be returned.

How much does it cost to enter?

We're glad you asked. The answer is nothing – it's free!

How does the judging work?

A panel of accomplished Nova Scotian writers, poets and performers will read the entries and select a set of finalists in each age group. These finalists will be sent to our honourary judge, Lawrence Hill, and he'll choose the winners in each age group. So you could have your work read by one of Canada's most well-known authors. And you could get to have lunch with him too. (If that sounds kind of intimidating, don't worry… he's a really nice guy.)

What important legal details do you need to tell me?

-By entering the contest, you accept that the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs (ANSA) may contact you to request a photo and/or biographical information for use in promotional materials and announcements relating to the contest.

-You also release and forever discharge the Province of Nova Scotia, the Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, and their officers, employees and representatives, from all liability for any damages, losses or claims arising from participation in the competition or resulting from the conferral, acceptance or use of the award obtained and for the aforementioned disclosures or uses.

Can you summarize in a convenient list of bullet points?

* The contest is open to all Nova Scotians aged 13-22, as of July 15, 2011.
* Entries must express a connection to the culture, heritage and/or experiences of people of African descent.
* Entries may be short stories (up to 2,500 words) or poems or spoken word lyrics (up to 5 pieces, and a maximum of 1,500 words).
* A signed entry form must accompany all entries.
* An entrant's name must not appear on the manuscript.
* Entries may be emailed to ansa_newsletter@gov.ns.ca or mailed or hand-delivered to: Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs, 5670 Spring Garden Road Suite 604, PO Box 2691, Halifax NS B3J 1H6.
* Contest deadline is 4:30 p.m. on July 15, 2011. Awards will be presented during the African Diaspora Heritage Trail conference, Sept. 22-24, 2011.
* You could win cash. And hang out with Lawrence Hill! What more do you need? Get writing!

Download contest entry form >>

Contact Information:

For inquiries: ansa_newsletter@gov.ns.ca

For submissions: ansa_newsletter@gov.ns.ca

Website: http://www.gov.ns.ca/ansa

Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

http://www.wix.com/gisellerenarde/ero...

Toronto Pride Pics, Just Like Mom Used to Take

Yesterday I posted "the boys of Pride" for all you wonderful people who like hot guys. I also promised I would post general Toronto Pride Parade pics today, so...here they are. One thing to note: remember when I posted pics from the Luminato k.d. lang concert and mentioned that my photography sucks monkey balls? Well, yeah, I haven't magically improved since then, so they're not great pics. But they're pics. Don't worry, I'm planning on sticking to my day job. I'm a writer, btw...in case my mad skills haven't come shining through this little blurb.
(Shut up, Giselle. Just post the damn pictures.)
Okay. Here they are:

















Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

http://www.wix.com/gisellerenarde/ero...

I Hear Some Folks Like Pictures of Hot Guys

People like to look at hot guys? Is this accurate information? If so, you might be interested in some of these snapshots I took at the Toronto Pride Parade yesterday, July 3, 2011. I'll be back tomorrow with general photos, but today I'm focused on the boys of Pride. Voila!


















Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

http://www.wix.com/gisellerenarde/ero...

Six Sentence Sunday - Tangled Roots, Coming Together: Neat edition

Yesterday I redeemed my first Kiva gift card in support of a group of female farmers in Mali, so I figured this would be a good Sunday to showcase Six Sentences from the book that earned me that gift card, Tangled Roots, Coming Together: Neat edition.
If you're not familiar with Coming Together: Neat, here's how it works: we authors basically donate a manuscript, you buy a copy of that book, and at the end of the quarter instead of being paid money, we receive Kiva gift cards. We redeem the cards by loaning those funds to entrepreneurs in third world countries, primarily, many of whom are women who would not otherwise be able to secure even small bank loans for their businesses.
So, pardon the blatant plug, but please to consider purchasing a copy of Tangled Roots, Coming Together: Neat edition. It's an erotic romance between hard-nosed business-woman Simone and her artist neighbour Moses. The focus of this book is on Canadian aboriginal cultural identity and healing. Hope you enjoy my six:

"Look, just because my parents didn't instil in me the pride of the Cree people doesn't mean they weren't wonderful human beings. They were. They just didn't want my brothers and I to go through any of the racist shit my father's people had to endure. They didn't want us to end up like…"

"Like me?" Moses asked with pointed clarity.

Simone's stomach lurched.

Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

http://www.wix.com/gisellerenarde/ero...

FREE Waxing Kit! (How coincidental is that?)

Hot on the heels of my new release Waxing is for Pussies, I happened to come across this deal from Veet for a FREE sample kit of ready-to-use wax strips. Isn't that awesome? Particularly awesome because the link below is for Canadians, and we Canadians hardly ever get anything for free. Americans, you can check out Veet's US website to see if there's a similar deal for you. And, Canadians, act fast and start inflicting pain upon yourself...or, better yet, have someone else inflict it upon you!
See below for details:

Unlike traditional square wax strips, NEW Veet EasyGrip™ Ready-to-Use wax strips are made with a specially developed grip tab to help you get the best waxing technique for perfect results in one easy move!

For a limited time, we are offering FREE wax strip sample kits that each include:

1 large Veet EasyGrip™ body wax strip 1 small facial Veet® wax strip 1 perfect finish wipe

Try it for simple and long-lasting results that keep your legs, underarms, bikini line and face feeling silky smooth for up to 4 weeks! With Veet, waxing has never been so easy!

Veet sample kit: http://www.veet.ca/en/rules/015/pg1_register.php

Giselle Renarde
Canada just got hotter!

http://www.wix.com/gisellerenarde/ero...