Emerald's Blog, page 32
May 3, 2011
Obsessed Coming Soon!
I am quite delighted to announce that the anthology of erotic romance, Obsessed, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel and published by Cleis Press, is set for official release on August 1! Rachel has just released the table of contents and introduction, and they may be found on the anthology's website here.
I am very excited that my story "Then" is included in Obsessed. It happens that this story is a sequel to my story "If" that is found in the erotic romance anthology Passion (also edited by Rachel and published by Cleis) that was released last year. Writing a "sequel" as such was not anything I had ever done, but shortly before I began working on a submission for Obsessed, it occurred to me that there was more story to be told about the characters in "If." The timing happened to coincide so that I got to conduct this experiment, if you will, just in time to submit the follow-up story to "If" to Rachel's call for her next anthology of erotic romance.
As has not been unusual, I am completely thrilled to be in the company of some of my favorite erotica authors in this anthology, including Donna George Storey, Kristina Wright, Charlotte Stein, Justine Elyot, Andrea Dale, and numerous others as well as Rachel herself! I can hardly wait for my contributor copies to come!
According to Rachel's blog, though Obsessed is slated to be officially released and available on Kindle August 1, it may end up showing up by mid-July! It is available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders now.
Love,
Emerald
I felt a combination of gratitude and wistfulness wash over me as we headed up the stairs. Though my attraction to Hayden was still strong, the relief I felt at its being out in the open was immense, and the appreciation I felt toward Chris for not finding it threatening was almost fierce. . . . I headed for the closet with a smile, unzipping my dress as I walked. I opened the closet door and almost dropped my dress when Chris said, "So you're interested in Hayden sexually?"
I froze. That was a trick question if there ever was one. Especially since Chris already knew the answer.
-from "Then," forthcoming in Obsessed, to be released August 2011.
April 27, 2011
e[lust] #25
[Note: The following is the full text (and photograph) of digest #25 of e[lust], organized by Dangerous Lilly and in which I am included for the first time with my post about the recent MOMENTUM conference! Love, Emerald]
Welcome to e[lust] - Your source for sexual intelligence and inspirations of lust from the smartest & sexiest bloggers! Whether youíre looking for hot steamy smut, thought-provoking opinions or expert information, youíre going to find it here. And in this edition you can read all about the best sexuality conference of the year (ever?), Momentum, in a one-time-only Editor's Choice anomaly: I couldn't choose just one, so I chose them all! Want to be included in e[lust] #26? Start with the rules and subscribe to the RSS feed for updates!
~ This Weekís Top Three Posts ~
Where We Are - It was only supposed to be about the fucking. I don't know how I convinced myself that it could be. I fretted before we began, about how I could ever possibly separate sex from emotion.
The Edible Slut - His hand made an audible crack as it connected with her ass, loud in the dim bedroom. Did he really sink his hand into her hair, turn her head to face him, and shout, ìStop being such a brat!î
Beyond Bisexual – I donít identify as bisexual, because I am interested in so many more people than just two of the variety of sexes or genders out there. Except, that is a word that a lot of people understand.
~ Featured: Momentum Conference Posts (Lillyís Picks) ~
An Extraordinary Gathering (and a Gathering of the Extraordinary)
Finally! A Real Momentum Post
Inspired by MomentumCon
#mcon Rehash
Momentum
Momentumcon, Part One
~ e[lust] Editress ~
To Be or Not To Be….Anonymous, That Is – If youíre out or decide to be outÖ.youíre not just outing yourself. Youíre outing them all. And did they give their consent? Probably not, Iíd guess. And even if they did give their consent could they even have a clue what consequences there will be?
All blogs that have a submission in this edition must re-post this digest from tip-to-toe on their blogs within 7 days. Thank you, and enjoy!
Thoughts & Advice on Sex & Relationships
A Bump In The Road – A Swinger Party Goes Bad
Bridging the Gap (Between Swinging and BDSM)
con-sent
Eating Pussy
Jane Says: What Does Sex Feel Like For A Man?
Let's talk about food
Safe Word
S&M And Abuse
The Rules, Revisited
The Wet Patch
Who Cares About Your Open Relationship
Where There's Smoke…
Kink & Fetish
BDSM Advice: Nipple Clamps
bloodfucking
Communicating by touch
Consent [Violated]
Debasement
getting ready…
He mixed pleasure and pain, and my body responded to it all
Invitation
Stolen
Safety Scissors
Topping From the Bottom: An Ode
Wantonly Restrained
You Can Make It Feel So Real
Erotic Writing
3. Wrath
Cunt Licking
Definition of Inspiration
Linger
Miss Me?
My Sex Life: The Journey Continues, Part 2
Silk Memories
Sexy Dance-Ing
teacher sweaters and the cock that haunts me
The Casino
The miseducation of Ms. Mullins
Wow. Confession #558
When I come
WWWednesday
You Want This
Recommended Reading #44: Youth, Pt. II
"'I Have Sex'—students speak out against ideological attack on Planned Parenthood" on YouTube (Recommended Watch, Youth, Reproductive Rights, Politics, Sexuality Education) 3/9/11
This video is actually in support of Planned Parenthood in the face of the threat by the United States Congress to eliminate the organization's federal funding for the health services they provide. Of course I am all for such support of Planned Parenthood, but the reason(s) I really love this video is because of its portrayal of and communication with young people. I certainly feel it would be helpful if we as a society stopped acting like people under the age of 18 are asexual and ignoring the reality of their sexual existence, but even further, I wish we would stop seeming to condescend them so much and acting as though they should be asexual and that if they are not, they are doing something wrong. (Of course I feel this is based on our own discomfort and insecurity around sex as adults, which I would be further thrilled if it seemed like we realized, acknowledged, and examined.) I appreciate the way (I perceive) this video addresses young people as human and autonomous beings.
***
"Why Kids in Montana (and Everywhere Else) Need Decent Sex Ed" by Kate Whittle (Sexuality Education, Youth, Memoir) 7/22/10
I find the idea of speaking with children about sexuality without acting like their exposure to the topic is akin to the apocalypse refreshing. It seems obvious to me that "talking about sex to/with" doesn't automatically and intrinsically mean telling children things obviously beyond their level of maturity and understanding. It means treating them like human beings and answering their questions the way we would about other subjects and speaking about an aspect of life that is inherent in them, as it is in all of us, and treating it as such.
***
"How to Have 'Sex Talks'—Plural—With Kids" by Monica Shores with Heather Corinna (Sexuality Education, Youth, Sex and Culture, Parenting) 11/30/10
This is an interview in two parts, and I definitely recommend both—the link above is to part 2 because it links back to part 1. The interview is with Heather Corinna, founder of Scarleteen, and the things she says in part 1 about the state of sexuality education for youth in the United States strike me as incisive and signficant. In part 2, she talks about parents talking with their children about sex, and I especially love the point of not confining such to some big "sex talk" but rather to simply answering questions about and discussing sex with children when the topic comes up, normalizing such conversation and indicating that sexuality is an integral and normative aspect of life.
***
April 20, 2011
Recommended Reading #43: Sexuality and the Medical Field
"What Could Make America Sexually Healthy" by Megan Andelloux (Sexuality Education, Health, Sex and Culture) 3/19/11
I appreciate—and agree with—this perspective offered by Megan of the importance of the medical community learning about, discussing, and respecting sexuality.
***
"Ian Kerner's SADD Anti-Porn Logic" by Thomas Roche (Media, Psychology, Health, Pornography) 4/12/11
This is a piece I appreciated on a number of levels, and I noted in particular Thomas's mention of seeming to trivialize true ADD/ADHD by using it in everyday language to mean things like "'spacy' or 'flaky.'" I have experienced this as well in observing the term "OCD" used to mean things like "anal-retentive" or "intensely interested in something." It's not something I have tended to appreciate either. But I also appreciate Thomas's taking to task the idea of someone dubbing a new "disorder" according to his own singular perception, in this case of men (I noted as well in the article to which Thomas is responding that the author appears to attribute porn watching solely to men…sigh) who seem affected by "excessive" porn-watching and masturbation to a point that affects their relationship with "real" women. (I don't doubt, by the way, that this can occur, which I interpret Thomas as acknowledging as well, along with pointing out that such issues may discussed and that trained professionals exist to turn to for help if one feels so called—and that it does not mean the dubbing by one person of a new "disorder" is called for.)
***
"There's More to Oxytocin Than We Knew" by Dr. Charlie Glickman (Health, Sex and Culture, Biology, Self-Awareness) 12/1/10
I love the way Charlie presents the information in this piece, not only because I find the actual results of the studies he mentions interesting but also because I agree so deeply with what is perhaps my favorite statement in the post: "All of this makes me think that anytime someone says that the brain works like this or that sex works like that, they're probably oversimplifying the situation."
***
April 13, 2011
Recommended Reading #42: Addressing Misconceptions, Pt. II
"7 Ways to Create a Sex-Positive Critique of Porn" by Dr. Charlie Glickman (Pornography, Sex and Society, Psychology, Self-Awareness) 7/8/10
I find this post so filled with beautiful and relevant points I hardly know where to start succinctly describing it. The gamut of understanding I see in this piece including but not limited to issues around sexuality education, self-awareness, non-censorship, and psychological perception makes it one I earnestly appreciate and recommend reading. In addition—probably actually one of the main reasons I like it so much—I perceive the tone of the post to be grounded and non-judgmental itself, something that holds not insignificant value to me in discussions countering or addressing the perception of other(s).
***
"Slut-Shaming on the Playground" by Airial Clark (Parenting, Sex and Society, Youth, Sexuality Education) 3/21/11
I appreciate this piece from a parent who addresses what she perceives as her 11-year-old son's demonstration of the beginnings of slut-shaming. Her recognition of the phenomenon and choice to address it openly and straightforwardly with her son resonates with me and seems to me an act of profound service not only to her son and those with whom he interacts but also to humanity collectively.
***
"Not Safe For Work" by Melissa Petro (Sex Work, Sex and Society, Government and Law, Memoir) 6/21/10
I intensely value this offering about social perception of sex workers outside of and beyond their holding of a job/jobs in that industry. I admit I still find myself astounded by what seem to me the numerous nonsensical perceptions about sex work/sex workers rampant in society, and when I am reminded of them in cases such as that of the author's resignation in January from her job as an art teacher, I adore seeing pieces like this—that will perhaps someday represent such obviousness that there will be no more need to point out all the things they convey.
***
April 11, 2011
Part 2 of "Out of the Park" Up Now!
I'm also ppreciating the opportunity to simply display this gorgeous picture. :)
But in addition, as the title of this post suggests, part 2 (of 2) of my story "Out of the Park" is up now at Good Vibrations Magazine! (Part 1, which was published last Monday, is linked to at the beginning of the post.)
Thanks again to the lovely Good Vibrations Magazine, and happy baseball season! ;)
Love,
Emerald
As the elevator doors closed behind us, Mark shoved his hand under my skirt and moaned when he felt how wet I was. The elevator dinged, and I darted into the hallway before the doors had even fully opened. I slid our key card into the door, and we spilled into the room, the vivid white lights from the field beaming from the window through the darkness. I ran to it and stopped abruptly as, for the second time, the panoramic view of the field took my breath away.
-from "Out of the Park"
April 10, 2011
An Extraordinary Gathering (and a Gathering of the Extraordinary)
[image error]One week ago right now (that is to say, last Monday at 1:00 in the morning) I was in the bar of the hotel where the MOMENTUM: Making waves in sexuality, feminism & relationships through new media conference was held, engaging in a social hour(s…) with conference organizers Tess Danesi, Diva, and a number of the other conference attendees/presenters.
The moment I drove away from the hotel, and thus the conference, that night, I started missing it.
I experienced MOMENTUM as so extraordinary and magnificent it's felt hard, really, to recreate it in words. The general energy of the gathering of people focused on, appreciative of, and fascinated by sexuality seemed palpable to me; I experienced this energy as vibrant, refreshing, and consistent throughout the conference, starting even before any of its official events had begun. It was like being in an energetic hot tub. In addition, Robin Sampson/Erobintica and a friend of hers came down to stay with me to attend the conference, which was an added pleasure of the weekend.
I do not feel it is an exaggeration to say that I found all of the workshops and presenters I attended/observed astonishing. The opening panel, composed of Tristan Taormino, Carol Queen, Jenny Block, Reid Mihalko and moderated by Lynn Comella, struck me as positively electrifying—serving as an appropriate tone-setter as such for the rest of the weekend. As I had followed the list of presenters in the weeks leading up to MOMENTUM's beginning, I felt delighted and impressed by the figures Tess and Diva were securing to present there. Though I knew I felt excited to see/meet so many of them in person, I was truly blown away by the power and energy I experienced when the time came from the presentations I had the privilege of experiencing.
Saturday began for me with Megan Andelloux's workshop on educating about sexual health and pleasure. I've known of Megan since the story of the controversy about her Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health was reported on Good Vibrations Magazine in 2009, resulting in my immediate support for her endeavor and its success. Shortly after that I became acquainted with her online, and it was a delight to get to meet her in person and certainly to see her present. Also on Saturday I had the unexpected fascination of attending the impromptu presentation by Constance Penley, who was at the conference and filled in for another speaker who had canceled. Constance served as an expert witness in last year's obscenity trial of John Stagliano, and I found it utterly riveting to hear her behind-the-scenes account and perspective of such.
Early Sunday morning saw a panel I found starkly fascinating and informative in Sex Positive Interventions: The Feminist Sex Wars and Beyond, presented by Lynn Comella and Carol Queen. Later Sunday, having found his energy distinctly compelling during the opening panel Friday night, I attended the presentation of Reid Mihalko, my meeting of whom was one of my favorite parts of the conference. The conference closed Sunday afternoon with an open-to-the-public discussion from Tristan Taormino and Susie Bright, which it probably goes without saying I found magnificent.
After all the official offerings were said and done, it was with the social gathering at the bar Sunday evening that the conference weekend ended for me. This was one of my favorite aspects of the conference—the opportunity to personally interact with the others there (this happened Saturday night too, when Rachel Kramer Bussel was still in town and I got to see her—and eat one of the cupcakes she brought!—at MOMENTUM headquarters [i.e., Tess and Diva's hotel suite] for a while). Here I got to spend much more time with Tess, Diva, Lynn, Reid, and others as well as connect for the first time with the lovely and delightful Greg DeLong, co-founder and designer of (the gorgeous!) njoy sex toys.
At one of my former day jobs at a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and protecting reproductive health and rights, we were asked at a board meeting one time to go around the room and introduce ourselves and say something we found inspiring. When it got to me, I said that I found it inspiring to be in a room full of people that I knew cared about this issue as much as I did—so much that they would devote their livelihood or time or resources to it and convene at this gathering where embodying and expressing such were at the forefront of our consciousness. Historically I have tended to profoundly appreciate being in the presence of such gatherings, to witness physically the presence of people who experience the same intensity and clarity about a subject that feels so important to me.
That's how I felt at MOMENTUM. And immediately after I left Sunday night, I missed that camaraderie, the feeling/knowing I was surrounded physically by people who care as much about exploring, discussing, and appreciating sexuality as I do, the warm feeling of knowing I would be going back to that and surrounded by it again the next day. I relate to the description found here that fellow conference attendee Leela wrote about this phenomenon.
In summary, what an amazing conference. A result, of course, of amazing creators and organizers Tess and Diva, to whom I extend profound and enormous thanks—not only am I so appreciative of and impressed by what they created and convened, I am truly thrilled that I had the opportunity to personally be a part of it.
I can hardly wait for MOMENTUM 2012.
Love,
Emerald
"Now I sit here like a Buddha in this chair, watching your spectacle unfold, I'm sorry I don't mean to stare…"
-LIVE "All I Need"
April 6, 2011
Recommended Reading #41: Fiction, Pt. II
"Good British Steel" by Lana Fox (Erotic Fiction, Fetish) 12/20/10
This is actually a three-part piece—this link is to Part Three because it links back to Part One and Part Two (they don't link forward to each other). Though it is three separate posts, it is a single (blazing hot, as far as I'm concerned!) story I highly recommend reading in its entirety.
***
"Riding The Dog" by C. Sanchez-Garcia (Erotic Fiction, Taboo) 2010
I found this story simultaneously fascinating and hot—a combination I appreciate.
***
"10 Minutes in the '80s" by Alison Tyler (Erotic Fiction, Voyeurism, Masturbation) 5/9/03
I find this story, by the legendary Alison Tyler, just powerfully gorgeous. Every time I've read it I've felt like my breath was suspended from the moment she gets into the car with him until the last line of the piece—with a hitch at "I felt as if I'd never . . . be nervous again." Breathtaking.
***
April 4, 2011
Stepping Up to the Plate at Good Vibrations Magazine!
The last few weeks around here have been devoted to what seemed like a slew of deadlines (I'm happy to say I made them all, except for one that happened to have been extended, so I might still make it!). The frenziedness was then capped off by attending the utterly incredible MOMENTUM conference, conceived and organized by Tess Danesi and Diva, over the weekend! Robin "Erobintica" Sampson and a friend of hers (and mine) came down to stay with me since the conference was local to where I live, and I look forward to blogging about how I experienced the weekend after I've decompressed a little. In the meantime, if you haven't yet, I recommend visiting Erobintica's blog to check out her interview from last week with Erika Lust, along with her review of Erika's book Good Porn: A Woman's Guide.
The main reason for this quick post now, though, is to say that I have (part 1 of) a new story published today at Good Vibrations Magazine! It's called "Out of the Park," and it will be posted in two parts—part 1 went up today, and part 2 is slated for next Monday (and will link back to part 1). I'm very excited to be published at Good Vibrations Magazine again—especially just in time for the start of baseball season, which opened last week! ;)
Love,
Emerald
Nevertheless, by the fifth inning I was so wet I wondered if I was leaving a spot on the seat. The energy of the game in front of me felt like it was physically permeating me, transferring directly to sexual heat and dispersing through my body like the players onto the field before each inning. In addition, the game was close, increasing the intensity throughout the stadium.
-from "Out of the Park"
March 30, 2011
Recommended Reading #40: Reflection
"Walk With Me" by Kathleen Bradean (Art, Non-sex-related, Self-Awareness, Sociology) 3/21/11
I adore the way this piece is written, the insights it offers, and the questions it invites. I love what it says about the picture, what it says about us, and how it relates the two. Even upon re-reading it I felt frequently energized by the experience of finding the next line even more striking than the last. Beautiful.
***
"Slow Blog Manifesto" by Todd Sieling (Non-sex-related, Technology, Sociology) Undated
Shanna Germain linked to this once on her blog quite a while ago, and I always really liked it. I feel like I slow down and center a bit even as I read it! I especially like what I interpret as its affirmation that not responding to all current events or goings-on online immediately is perfectly okay, as well as the emphasis on developing or allowing to percolate things that occur to us before or instead of reducing them to one line as may seem encouraged in certain social media contexts. The point, of course, is not that there is anything wrong with quick response or brevity-encouraging social media but rather the reminder that there are options, numerous important and effective ways to express ourselves online that do not necessarily adhere to the trends and/or structures of online behemoths (just as in non-online life our experience does not always resonate with behemoth structures or corporations).
***
"When Being Is Enough" by Monica Day (Relationship, Non-sex-related, Self-Awareness, Consciousness) 3/11/11
I find the message of this piece breathtaking and beautiful in its simplicity, straightforwardness, awareness, and truth. It expresses an epitome of truth (in my understanding) that I feel we would do so well to embody and understand.
***
