Sex, Food, and Writing

An Irresistible Offer

2012-01-19T11:42:00.000-08:00

My year has started off quite nicely with some exciting new anthologies hitting the stores. Just in time for Valentine's Day is Irresistible, an anthology of couples erotica edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. My story, "Pink Satin Purse," is one of my naughtier endeavors--for daring couples only. Plus Rachel has a very sweet deal going for anyone who purchases Irresistible before January 31--

All About Pleasure: Eat Chocolate!

2012-01-18T08:26:00.000-08:00

One of the many exciting new developments of 2012 is a new feature on the ERWA blog--a rotating roster of some of erotica's sexiest authors will post a column on specific days of the month. I get the 18th--my 18th year was a memorable one--and I plan to make it an exercise in self-indulgence. This month I explain how eating two different kinds of chocolate in one sitting will improve your

The Path to Publication

2011-12-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

The December-January ERWA columns are up, and this issue I conclude my writers' feast with a discussion of that most luscious of literary desserts (and deserts)--publication! Ah, yes, we all want to be published. We probably all want to be published more than we actually want to write. And there's no better way to get published than to to promise tips and strategies for other people to get

My Desire Made Me More Interesting to Myself

2011-11-13T19:46:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited to announce my latest interview over at the blog of Anna Cook, The Feminist Librarian. The interview is part of the blog tour for Women in Lust, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. Rachel's latest anthology is particularly strong precisely because it's about strong women who have the courage to explore their desires--it's a very inspiring and empowering read. My story, "

Sexy Writing Partnerships

2011-09-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

Writing and sex have a lot in common, and I explore another way this is all too true in my latest ERWA column, Sexy Writing Partnerships: Mastering the Art of Reading, Responding, and Roasting Brussels Sprouts. Originally I'd meant to put in a paragraph or two at the end of an earlier column about writing groups, but my memories of the good and the bad of writing feedback were so overwhelming, I

I Was (Almost) a Prostitute, Part 2

2011-08-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

Writing part 1 of my response to the “Hipster Hooker” story and its aftermath was therapeutic, but I’m still dismayed at how slut-shaming remains such an extraordinarily effective strategy to keep women in line. I mean, really, even today if you want to be a respected writer, ladies, stay away from any whiff of sex or you’re ruined. That’s why this strategy works so beautifully. If “serious,” “

I Was (Almost) a Prostitute, Part 1

2011-08-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is a blatant teaser of a title, but it’s relevant, and, if you’ll hang with me until the end of this two-part series, you’ll find it’s even (kind of) true. Recently I read an article at XO Jane that stayed with me, so much so that I decided I had to write about my reactions. It’s called “I Was a Hipster Hooker (And It Sort of Ruined My Life).” I recommend you read the column and

Sexuality as Art not Sport

2011-08-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying browsing the archives of Heather Corinna's columns at RH Reality Check: Reproductive & Sexual Health and Justice, and this thought from "Get Real: Male vs. Female Bodies--Why Go There?" really struck me: "Sex is a lot like art: it's a means of self-expression, whether you share it or not. A sexuality someone really, really enjoys tends to be a highly original,

A Dirty Smutter Writes to the New York Times Sunday Magazine

2011-08-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why I was so affected by Charles McGrath's profile of Nicholson Baker, "The Mad Scientist of Smut." There are certainly many more issues involving the future of our economy, the environment and education that I feel much more strongly about than an elite journalist's discomfort discussing sexual themes maturely and his glaring ignorance about sexually authentic literature in our

Are You a "Real" Writer?

2011-08-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

In all the excitement of early August, I forgot to post about my most recent column at ERWA, "Be a 'Real' Writer: Slowing Down, Seeing Anew, and a Fresh Take on America's Favorite Entree." In this installment I discuss the revision process in what I hope is a rather fresh way. That is, I don't focus on commas or grab-'em first lines or any sort of technical advice you might get in an SAT

I'm the Featured Author at ERWA!

2011-08-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

We all had a wonderful time in southern California, visiting Hearst Castle, Hollywood, Disneyland and capping it all off with a luxurious stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel (where they pipe classical music into the water in the pool). It's always a little tough to transition back into ordinary life after vacation, but the task was sweetened by a very special August treat--I'm the featured

Straight in the Eye

2011-08-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

The wonderful and clear-eyed eroticist, Shanna Germain, posted a challenge to erotica writers to show the world that Charles McGrath is wrong when he intimated in his review of Nicholson Baker's latest sex-themed novel that writers who dare to tell stories about sexuality have bad coloring and furtive gazes from too much masturbating. If you want to get riled up about the sad state of our

Juicy Summer Obsession

2011-07-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

It's been quiet around my blog recently. That's because I've been taking it easy this summer, enjoying the lazier days and the sweet summer fruits and writing a few hot, steamy stories. Oh, and I also collaborated with my son to make a delicious homemade cinnamon ice cream with chunks of fresh-baked Snickerdoodles blended in (destined to become a regular treat in our house). Now, with the

Seduce Your Reader--And Yourself

2011-04-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

The next installment in my writer's feast is up: Seduce Your Reader--And Yourself: Erotic Sex, Sexier Erotica, and Very Versatile Salads. I consider timeless questions such as "What's the difference between erotica and pornography?" (there is indeed a difference and I will go to the arm wrestling mat to defend my opinion); "How much sex does an erotic story need?" (as much as possible, silly,

"Velocity" at Good Vibrations!

2011-04-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce that my short-short story, "Velocity," is now up at Good Vibrations Magazine where I'm honored to be in the company of wonderful erotica writers such as Emerald. While I usually tend to write longer stories, because I just have so much to say about sensuality and pleasure, this piece is mini-skirt short and fast-paced all around, like a shot of espresso for the libido. My

Good Porn?

2011-03-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

Hey, I know it's been a while since I've blogged, lots going on, plus I've been wanting to reorient my focus from promotion to a more content-rich blog which explores erotic themes. For example, I've been reading an interesting book on the portrayal of sex in films from porn to mainstream to arty and wanted to discuss some interesting ideas presented in that book. I'm still mulling over those

Surrender to Pleasure

2011-03-01T08:56:00.000-08:00

Is that one gorgeous book cover or what? I'm delighted to announce the release of an amazing "best of" anthology erotic tales Surrender: Erotic Tales of Female Pleasure and Submission, edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. My story "Dear Professor Pervert" leads an amazing line-up of stories ranging from Emerald's breathtaking "Power over Power" to Shanna Germain's stunning classic "The Sun is an

Humphrey Bogart, Honeymoons, Naughty Interviews

2011-02-23T08:46:00.000-08:00

The gala celebration of the release of Nice Girls, Naughty Sex: 20 Erotic Tales continues over at Oysters & Chocolate with a series of interviews with the very naughty-but-nice authors. This week is my turn, and you'll find out about my inspiration for the story, my Hollywood erotic fantasy, and whether my story in the anthology, "Honeymoon Suite," is suitable to show your mother. I had lots

Nice Girls, Naughty Sex

2011-02-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

No, that's not my new personal motto (although it could be), it's the title of a fantastic new anthology that has just been released, Nice Girls, Naughty Sex: 20 Erotic Tales, edited by erotica mavens Jordan LaRousse and Samantha Sade of the delicious website Oysters & Chocolate.The list of authors is truly stellar and I cannot wait to get my contributor's copy to dig into the feast of

A Peep into Male Psychology

2011-01-31T14:41:00.000-08:00

My column "Cooking Up a Storey" is going to every other month this year so I can spend more time on my novel, but I do have a book review up in February for Have Him at Hello: Confessions from 1000 Guys About What Makes Them Fall in Love…Or Never Call Back by Rachel Greenwald. You'll find the review in the nonfiction section--but why, you ask, is a fiction writer reviewing a dating guide?Well,

Writers are not Things

2011-01-31T07:58:00.000-08:00

Loved this post by Sarah Ockler: "You're Not a Thing: 10 Anti-Insanity Tips for Writers." Every phase of the writing life has its challenges and when you first start out, you think being published will make all your dreams come true. But it just creates a whole new set of desires. As the Buddha said: "Life is dissatisfaction." If we take a step back and remember why we write, though, the

The Gotta Have It Book Trailer is Extraordinary

2011-01-30T19:46:00.000-08:00

The Gotta Have It book trailer is out today, and what a wonderful way to cap off two great book readings this past week! There is something so very sexy and tantalizing about hearing (and seeing) the authors read their own work. Each provocative snippet makes you want to read more, more, more. Check out the book trailer on blip.tv to enjoy offerings by editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, Helia

Magical Evenings

2011-01-29T12:21:00.000-08:00

Writing is a solitary endeavor, and most of the time I like it that way. Well, actually I'm not alone when I write, I'm fighting or flirting with or rolling around in bed with my characters, who always seem to know the right, or deliciously wrong, thing to do and say. Occasionally, though, I have a chance to step out of my small, cluttered office and share my stories with an audience. Such was

Come Together for Owen's Next Concert

2011-01-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

Owen's band "In the Moment" will be playing in their second concert at Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley at 4:30 pm on Sunday, January 23. Owen will be singing vocals for the Beatles' "Come Together" and Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Around the World" as well as for the group's original composition "Parallel Universe." And he'll be playing a mean bass line for the other fine songs as well.

Free Erotica Class with RKB at Good Vibrations on 1/27

2011-01-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

Writing is a solitary endeavor, but sometimes it's helpful to get advice from seasoned experts to help us map our course. That's why we pay big bucks to go to writers' conferences and take classes with established professionals. But what if you could get some distilled words of wisdom and experience for FREE, along with some delicious cupcakes? If you're interested in writing erotica, or

Two Weeks From Tonight (1/28)--Please Come!

2011-01-14T13:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's only two short weeks until a very exciting, I might even say orgasmic, erotica event at the venerable Booksmith at 1644 Haight Street, San Francisco's coolest 'hood. That's Friday, January 28 at 7:30 pm, and I'll be there in my corset (pictured above--and don't I look satisfied?) reading an excerpt from my story, "The Big O," in Rachel Kramer Bussel's very steamy anthology, Orgasmic.

Listen to Gotham Sex at Audible.com!

2011-01-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

My all-knowing, all-seeing erotica writing buddy, Jeremy Edwards, just alerted me to the fact that my story "Gotham Sex," published in Maxim Jakubowski's Sex in the City: New York, is the sample story at Audible.com. I have to say I really, really like the way Jenna Wilding reads the story. She definitely captures the spirit I was hoping to evoke. And since the book is full of excellent

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

2011-01-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you, my dear blog readers! I hope you had a lovely year-end holiday. I really enjoyed my "time-out-of-time" to hang out with my family, watch a lot of movies, eat a lot of cookies and celebrate my forty-ninth birthday. In our house, the birthday girl or boy gets to rule big time, and I took full advantage of my privileges to force my family to go to brunch at Ella's in San

"Fresh Canvas" in Best Women's Erotica 2011

2010-12-09T16:34:00.000-08:00

The end of the year brings many treats, not the least of which is the release of the latest volume in the Best Women's Erotica series, edited by sexpert superstar Violet Blue. This anthology is guaranteed to warm you up on a chilly night--the stories are without exception brilliantly written and fearlessly sexy. I'm honored to have a story included in Best Women's Erotica 2011, and in fact,

Spark Your Moment with Jeremy Edwards!

2010-12-07T01:00:00.000-08:00

With the nights growing chillier, and the soccer season over, I suddenly find myself with a lot more time to write--and read--the kind of books they never (unfortunately) assigned in any of my classes. You know what I’m talking about: red-hot erotica, of course! I don’t have to look far for this week’s indulgence as I sit by the fire and watch the logs crackle. My friend Jeremy Edwards,

The Erotic Feast Begins

2010-12-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

Tonight brings us Hanukkah's first candle plus here at the Storey household, we'll open the first door of the Advent calendar (actually we're doing seven Advent calendars this year as I want to use my extensive collection of German beauties before the boys get too jaded).It's also, of course, the day that the new columns go up at the Erotica Readers and Writers Association and my offering, "Seeds

Choose My New Author Photo?

2010-11-29T08:28:00.000-08:00

As a 13-year veteran of the writing life, I've long since accepted the fact that half the fun in life is getting there and most of the other half of the fun involves writing about the trip afterward. So, I'm back from New York and my boudoir photo shoot with the very talented Laura Boyd, and now it's time to tell you all about it! Today I'd like to begin by asking for your help.Like most

The Gift of Sensual Pleasure

2010-11-27T15:38:00.000-08:00

The year's end is a time for reflection, thanksgiving and expressing appreciation to our loved ones in many ways, including gifts. What better gift that keeps on giving than a delicious book, in particular an erotica anthology, that is like a box of fine chocolates for the imagination? I say this not only because I'm an author. I've always loved giving books and loved receiving them as gifts.

Celebrating "Spring" in November

2010-11-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

A lot's been happening this month, and you'll hear all about it once I've unpacked my suitcase and settled back into my writing, but I just wanted to announce that my story "Spring Pictures" is up at Clean Sheets this week. Set in Japan, this story celebrates my fascination with erotic woodblock prints and illicit getaways to elegant Japanese inns. The print you see here, by Suzuki Harunobu,

Sexy, Secret Gardens

2010-11-05T07:46:00.001-07:00

You all remember those sizzling Nancy Friday "studies" of female sexual fantasies back in the 1970's that blew the cover off of the Victorian myth that women were sexless creatures who only engaged in the marital act out of their innate maternal instinct? They certainly inspired me to get wilder in my daydreams and ultimately to write my own fantasies out for publication throughout the

Sex With Pilgrims

2010-10-31T15:49:00.000-07:00

A happy All Hallow's Eve to you! It's been a fun fall weekend starting with a funky theatre-in-the-park experience called Persephone's Roots where we all took a trip to the underworld to learn that Persephone actually wanted to embrace her shadow side (and don't we all at times?)Today we're carving fancy pumpkins and assembling the candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters. It's hard to believe

"Just Words" at Erotica for All

2010-10-28T14:08:00.001-07:00

Just in time for Halloween, I have a special treat on offer over at Lucy Felthouse's hoppin' erotica blog, Erotica for All. No, it's not a handful of miniature Snickers' bars, it's a very spicy story called "Just Words" with plenty of verbal seduction. Sometimes words can be enough to do the trick!Also check out my profile at Erotica for All. If you're an erotica reader, you can browse the

Passion in Beverly Hills

2010-10-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hot sex with someone you love on a great big bed in one of the most romantic hotels on the planet--that's my recipe for passion in "Big Bed Sex," my story that appears in Rachel Kramer Bussel's latest anthology, Passion: Erotic Romance for Women."Big Bed Sex" is a story I knew I had to write the moment I stepped into the Beverly Hills Hotel in the fall of 2008 when I was on the L.A. leg of my

No Penis Pictures, Please!

2010-10-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

I just had to post a link to Bill Maher's column on our latest celebrity sex scandal--that is, Brett Favre's embarrassing attempts to woo a reluctant woman with photos of his private parts. Maher's observations are hilarious and true and in ways that go beyond Brett's equipment.As much as I'd argue men and women share much more as fellow humans than a few overrated differences that have

A "Rare" Story at Oysters and Chocolate

2010-10-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

(Photo by Igor Amelkovich)Ah, the Friday of a hectic week, what better way to relax than to lie back with some oysters and chocolate and a steamy erotic tale of a group spanking? After all, the more, the merrier when it comes to blushing bottoms!I've posted an appetizer excerpt below. To enjoy the entire feast, check out "A Rare Find" and don't forget to vote and comment if you feel so

Edith Wharton's Erotica?

2010-10-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

I came upon an interesting Internet resource for erotica writers, The "Eros Issue" of Lapham's Quarterly (that's editor Lewis Lapham of Harper's fame) with a veritable smorgasboard of erotic excerpts from ancient Rome to Edith Wharton to a scene from The Graduate. These tasty morsels prove erotic writing (and perhaps sex itself, too?) has a long history. I've been enjoying this trip back to the

How to Sell Your Erotica!

2010-10-06T14:39:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to announce an event that is happening this Friday, just days away, in San Francisco on a topic very dear to my heart--writing good erotica and getting it out to audiences hungry for smart sex. I'll be on a panel with some amazing writers and publishers, but why not let the press release do the talking? Hope to see you there, because I'm sure we'll all learn a lot!How to Sell

Naked for Halloween

2010-10-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's the name of my latest ERWA column, and in the spirit of writerly revelation, I thought I'd post one of my boudoir photos from a while back as illustration. I'm happy to say I'm back at work on the novel, discovering all kinds of sexy things about myself, my story, my yoga teachers.... Not to mention October is one of my favorite months with Herr Doktor's birthday opening the

Kiss and Spank!

2010-09-15T07:17:00.000-07:00

Today marks the official release date of Spank!, a brand-new, rosy-bottomed anthology edited by the Queen of Spankings, D.L. King. So there’s no need to wriggle and bite your fingernails as you wait for your just desserts. You can buy it on Amazon or the Logical-Lust website before you can say “Please, sir, may I have another.” The list of authors alone will make your derriere warm; each one

Happy Birthday, Danielle!

2010-09-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

It's a busy morning in the kitchen today as I whip up some of my famous Mexican chocolate brownies for an annual all-day-and-night "Games Party" friends give to celebrate the coming of autumn. But I'm also virtually baking up one of my signature treats for a very special cyber-friend, Danielle De Santiago, who is celebrating his birthday today (Germany time).My almond cake is the perfect way to

Can Erotica Change the World?

2010-09-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

While I was on vacation, I had the pleasure to be guest blogger at the Romance Writers of America, New York City chapter's blog, Blogging in the Big Apple. My post, "The Erotic Revolution," is a very intimate, stripped-down-to-the-panties confession of my "mission" in my erotica writing. Grandiose and almost tongue-in-cheek as it might seem--I aim for such lofty goals as a healing of the

E-Books and Great American Novelists

2010-09-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's September already? The kids are back in school, and now I have no excuse not to do lots and lots of writing. I'm sure I'll find plenty of excuses anyway, but one reason to get serious is so that next month I don't have to confess to the ERWA community that I've been a slacker. That's what I had to do this month in my "Cooking up a Storey" column, "Talkin' About an

What's Your Real Net Worth?

2010-08-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

You'll never believe this. I'm actually doing a blog post that does not involve some sort of promotional push for a book I'm in. Yep, this is just a "sit around on a Sunday and contemplate the writing life" kind of post. It's a nice change.My motivation for this musing is a blog post, "How Writers Really Make Money," that a writer friend forwarded to me. It's from the blog of Tim Ferriss, the

Fast Girls Who Wax Eloquent

2010-08-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

Late summer is the height of the harvest when the summer crops like nectarines, green beans and melons are still sweet, and the fall vegetables such as grapes, tomatoes, peppers and even early apples are piled high in the greengrocer's to tempt our palates. This golden abundance is one of life's pleasures, and I'm happy to say my harvest of erotica anthologies this season is equally delicious.

Names and Nudity

2010-08-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hey, it's Sunday, my first back at home in a while, and what should greet me upon my return but a witty new post at F-Stop by Lucy Felthouse on the exposure erotica writers face when they use their own names, along with musings on the questions we're all asked about the work we do.The most popular--"Do you write from experience?" Lucy has her illuminating answer, and I know it's different for

Legacy of a Catholic Girlhood

2010-08-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

My grandmother used to have religious pictures like this all over her house, and I'll admit I found them both soothing and strange, as if the past and my future in heaven (or so I hoped) existed in cartoon-like color. My Catholic upbringing lingers on in my memory in other ways as well, some that definitely inform my writing today! If you're curious just how that might be, check out my guest

Summer Fireworks at F-Stop

2010-08-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

F-Stop is back with one of the most provocative pieces yet, by that timelessly prolific author with thousands of titles to his name, Anonymous. I found this essay especially touching because it deals with the intimate relationship between a writer and his/her material with great honesty. "Erotica is not just about sex, it's about feelings," Anon writes, "Wonderful feelings, terrible feelings,

It's Good to Be Bad!

2010-07-31T11:55:00.000-07:00

In my feverish summer imagination, July has always been a woman, with flowing, flag-colored skirts offering me juicy peaches and melons. August? A fiery male, half-dressed in an imperial toga, face as sun-baked as the Tuscan hills. He offers iced tea and a thick-fingered, ready hand to smear my back with sunscreen, but he also waves around "back to school sale" flyers, when I'd really rather

John Updike Made Me Do It

2010-07-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to announce that my story, "John Updike Made Me Do It," is now available in its full natural splendor at Clean Sheets as of today!This story is a favorite of mine, originally written for a themed anthology on polyamory, Swing!, edited by Jolie du Pre. (Check out that steamy book for an entire feast of polyamorously perverse short stories). When the call for the book went out, I

Sex as Performance not Commodity

2010-07-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

Summer has always meant lazing around with a good book on a long, hot afternoon, and this year I've discovered a fascinating and inspiring book called Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power & A World Without Rape (thanks to a recommendation from Emerald).Last night I read an essay by Thomas Macaulay Millar called "Toward a Performance Model of Sex," which opens with a provocative

Alison's Wonderland and Magic in My Hands

2010-07-06T09:22:00.001-07:00

The fireworks aren't over, folks, because today I'm being interviewed over at Alison Tyler's blog about my story in her hot new erotica anthology, Alison's Wonderland. My story, "Managers and Mermen," is inspired by "The Little Mermaid" of course, and it's guaranteed to have you craving sushi. Having read many of the delicious stories which provocatively rewrite classic tales from "Snow White"

Voices in My Head

2010-07-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know, I used this photo in my last post, but I have a good reason for the repetition. The latest edition of ERWA's newsletter, which includes my column, Disorderly Departures: Discovery Drafts, Summertime Salad, and the Wisdom of “The Voice,” features none other than a recipe for my very July-friendly Grilled Ratatouille Salad. I also 'fess up about those funny voices I hear in my head

Grilled Ratatouille Salad

2010-06-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a recipe I prepared yesterday for a summer picnic dinner party, as a few people asked me how you make "grilled" ratatouille. It's really tasty and has earned its place our favorite summer company dish. Don't be too worried about over-grilling. Deeply browned veggies make for a very rich, smoky flavor. This pairs well with a hearty red country French wine like Clos La Coutale

Conversing with Your Hips

2010-06-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Life slows down in the summer, but this month has been pretty hot on the short story front. Some new ones written, some finished ones accepted for publication, and the sweetest treat of all, a few old favorites released to a wider audience online. Today my story "Yes, Master" appears at The Erotic Woman, a fantastic erotica site that frequently publishes all my favorite writers like Craig

18 and Naked

2010-06-20T07:10:00.000-07:00

Today at F-Stop, Kirsty Logan takes on the writer's--no, really our human--urge for attention, the desire to be seen and appreciated. At 18, Kirsty posed nude for a series of amateur photographers. At 26, she looks back on those days, her motivations and her decision to reveal the fact that because of these images floating around in the ether, an educated, articulate writer is literally "naked

The Chemistry of Collaboration

2010-06-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

Bare naked fiction and nonfiction writing, editing a hot anthology, making a sexy book trailer, posing for a luscious boudoir session--today at F-stop we'll get a peek at the secrets of all of these creative endeavors as noted writer, editor and blogger Rachel Kramer Bussel stops by for a revealing interview. I know I keep saying this, but those gorgeous boudoir photos make me want to hop the

The "Red Dress" Anniversary

2010-06-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

Herr Doktor and I celebrated our twenty-third wedding anniversary on Sunday, and while our wedding was truly a fantastically fun weekend-long party, so many years later we had a very fine time just hanging out and going out to dinner. We went to a place called Bay Wolf (yep, a cute literary pun), one of the earliest temples to California cuisine that is still going strong.Since this blog is

Are Dentists Erotic?

2010-05-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

After you read Marcy Sheiner's essay at F-Stop today, I guarantee that your answer to that question is going to change forever! Provocative, sexy, funny, yet very serious indeed, Marcy's essay is the perfect mind-awakening complement to your morning coffee. Cosmic visions and sexual response await, so even if you've just had your teeth cleaned, the dentist is waiting! It's a special honor to

An Encore of My First Sexy Radio Interview

2010-05-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

If you missed it the first time, back in July 2008, you have another chance to hear me talk about sex, Japan, and my novel Amorous Woman with Ellen Shehadeh on her weekly View Point Radio show. I blogged about the behind-the-scenes experience here, and I'll tell you as I look back, the interview with Ellen was one of the highlights of promoting my novel. Her questions enabled me to learn more

Sex and Poker: Susan DiPlacido's Shuffle Up and Deal

2010-05-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

They say the best way for a writer to improve her craft is to read well-crafted stories in the genre of her choice. My goal is to write smart, sexy page-turners, but good educational materials are not always easy to find. Derivative bestsellers that stroke the same old synapses bore me, even if they are dressed up in flashy vampire or alien costumes. Stuffy, self-important “literature”

The “Cure” for Low Sexual Desire

2010-05-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

One of my guilty pleasures since forever has been reading glossy, capitalist magazines (while always careful to preserve a modicum of leftist critical distance from their overarching message that salvation lies in consumption). I used to browse Cosmo and Glamour, which were always loaded with research materials for a student of popular culture, especially sexuality. But after a

Emerald Exposes the Omniscent Eye

2010-05-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous photograph has a title. "Pause." And if you have a moment to pause and reflect, I highly recommend you head over to F-Stop to read Emerald's moving and thought-provoking essay, "Choice and Tyranny." Be prepared for a shocker. Emerald not only exposes herself, she sheds light on the ways the omniscient Eye of religion and other authorities hijacks our choices and in fact deprives

BAK and Gina: Erotica's John and Yoko

2010-05-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

I've been away from blogland for various top-secret reasons (don't ask, 'cause I'll never tell) but now I'm back, and I've got some catching up to do with F-Stop's latest literary gems. Over the past two weeks, we've had some awesome posts from erotica's most inspiring and free-spirited couple: Brad Garber and Gina Marie. I first met Gina over a year ago at her luscious blog, Aphrodite's Table

D.L. King Unveiled

2010-05-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

A beautiful May Sunday--what better time to take a tour of the world of one of the wittiest and most skillfully willful erotica writers today, D.L. King? You know just where to find her, "Naked on the Page" over at F-Stop. If the sly mention of a certain Brooklyn salon piques your interest, you can read a detailed report right here. A truly unforgettable education for this innocent and indeed

What's Your Sign, Baby?

2010-04-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

The May-June columns are up early over at ERWA including my offering, "Getting to Know You: Character Profiles, Star-Gazing Shortcuts and Quick Culinary Getaways." Besides a delicious recipe for Japanese-style Vegetable Soup, which will take you on a quick trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, I share my special approach to creating characters. It's really pretty easy. I just

The Secret Eroticist

2010-04-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

I had another one of those encounters last weekend. Someone who knows me from my soccer mom life recently discovered my erotic writing. She said she enjoyed it, but that I was doing a great job of "hiding" what I did. She never would have suspected from looking at me.Which raises again the question, what does an erotica writer look like? Large breasts? Tight leather pants? Lots of make-up?

Erotic Doppelgangers

2010-04-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

To think I used to go to church on Sundays way back when, but now I head on over to F-Stop for my spiritual fix. This week M. Christian discusses the intriguing split between our erotica-writing persona and our "true" self. I'm not going to post the actual image from the essay here though, and if you want to see why, well, you'll have check out "He and I." And maybe you'll be inspired to

Talking Back to Shame

2010-04-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

Our bodies are wondrous. Why should we be ashamed? Because just about everything we’ve ever heard our entire lives has told us that we should be. Afraid. Ashamed. Of who we are, what we are.So says poet and erotica writer Erobintica in this week's brave and gorgeous essay at F-Stop. I found so much to relate to in her discussion of the fear and shame we all feel and the liberating power of

Please, Sir--Pasta, Anyone?

2010-04-16T12:58:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to announce that Please, Sir, Rachel Kramer Bussel's latest--and hottest--erotica anthology is now available at Amazon and finer book stores everywhere. The penultimate story in the book, "Just What She Needs," is definitely one of my smuttiest tales, plus, like a repeat viewing of The Godfather, it's going to make you yearn for a big bowl of fresh pasta puttanesca accompanied by a

The Tangible Mirage

2010-04-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Today's offering at F-Stop is a beautifully-written and thought-provoking exploration of erotica writer Thom Gautier's relationship with Penthouse over the years. It's sure to bring back memories of your own erotic education, so lock that bedroom door (we don't want any parents barging in unannounced) and head on over to spy on a very special couple's pictorial: the fascinating interplay

Creativity and Darkness

2010-04-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

Janine Ashbless takes the spotlight at F-Stop this Easter Sunday with an extraordinarily moving and courageous essay on depression and its role in her life as a writer. I find myself at a loss for words to describe its power--best perhaps for you to experience her journey through the darkness and return to the light for yourself. Thank you, Janine, for taking F-Stop to a new level of honesty

Stories in Our Bodies?

2010-04-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

A while back I posted an article by Dani Shapiro on the challenges of the writing life, written no doubt as part of the promotional campaign for her new memoir, Devotion. (Shapiro is a publishing veteran, and I'm sure she knows it's best to get your name out there in every way possible when a new book is released). I somehow assumed the memoir would deal with the same topic, so I requested it

Plotting and Planning at ERWA

2010-03-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

It's not quite April, but those fast girls and boys over at ERWA have already posted next month's columns, and of course "Cooking Up a Storey" continues with my latest report from my novel-writing adventures. In Plotting and Planning: NaNoWriMo, Novel Outlines, and the Linear Comforts of Asparagus I talk about the benefits and drawbacks of outlining your novel and offer up a simple and

A Swinging Good Time at F-Stop

2010-03-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Has another week flown by so fast? Yes, it's time for a new author to take the stage at F-Stop. This week is an especially entertaining post by the prolific and always witty Ashley Lister, who shares with us some poetry, some literary analysis, and a lot of laughs.As always, revelations abound, so head off to the swinger's party with "Betty & I." See you there!

A Very "Rude" Interview!

2010-03-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to announce I have a new interview is up at a cool new UK website called "Rude Words: For Readers and Writers of Erotic Fiction." You might think that I've done so many interviews, I have nothing new to say, but in fact, I actually covered some virgin ground in this interview, or maybe I'm just becoming more comfortable with myself and what erotica means to me? The real thrill

Jeremy Edwards Naked in Reykjavik

2010-03-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

This Sunday at F-Stop we have a new and fascinating take on self-exposure by master wordsmith, Jeremy Edwards. If you're curious about what it's like to lead two lives, why showing your face is braver than taking your clothes off, and what the hell Reykjavik has to do with this, then grab your coffee and scone and head on over to the F-Stop studio where a courageous and eloquent erotica writer

An Inspiring Threesome

2010-03-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday again and time for another fascinating confession over at F-Stop: Expose the Naked I. This week co-hostess Neve Black reveals a complicated love life involving a broadminded spouse and an irresistible lover. It's a threesome that rang true to me, and might even change your way of looking at your writing, too.So head on over to F-Stop--it's worth it just for the picture of Neve in

Singapore Slings at the Tiki Hut

2010-03-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

Come join me for a Singapore Sling and some delicious excerpts from my story "Comfort Food" in The Cougar Book and from my novel, Amorous Woman over at Author Island's Tiki Hut today.You can also win a copy of Amorous Woman, which is the book of the day over at Author's Island, so hey, lie back, enjoy the Pacific breeze and some smokin' sexy prose, too!

Sacred Writing

2010-03-09T14:20:00.001-08:00

This past Saturday, I attended the Bar Mitzvah of my college roommate's younger son, a day-long party beginning with the ceremony in the morning, followed by a bagel lunch, then hanging out at my friend's house, and finally a "clowning around" party at night with circus food and lessons from professional performers in plate spinning and feather balancing for the kids.I was raised Catholic myself

Naked Men at Naked I

2010-03-06T22:14:00.000-08:00

It's time for a new F-Stop post and this week we have a meditation on the pleasures of the male body by one of my favorite erotica writers, Susan DiPlacido. Susan provides our first sampling of original art, the eye of the artist. I'm so thrilled with the amazing variety and depth each writer is bringing to the topic of self-exposure. So head on over to F-Stop and start thinking of your own

Plotting a New Course at ERWA

2010-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Say what, it's March already? You know what that means--another installment of my sex-food-and-writing column, "Cooking Up a Storey." You may have noticed last month I moved to a new address in Author's Resources. That's because I'm trying to focus on this new novel and I figured if I kept a sort of journal of my process, the column would be less distracting from my work. Perhaps more

Craig Sorensen Shines This Sunday

2010-02-28T09:13:00.000-08:00

Today at F-Stop we have our first male artist revealing himself and his art in a rich and moving essay "Warm Comforts on Naked Flesh." This photograph of the author in his writer's "zone" was taken by Craig's talented wife, DeDe Sorensen--I just love that spiritual glow. When you read Craig's essay, I'm sure you'll be inspired to expose yourself at F-Stop, too, so hop on over for a true Sunday

I've Been Tea Bagged!

2010-02-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

I just got a Google Alert for a mention at the right-wing blog "Side-Lines" in "Yet Another Liberal Who Loses It by Just Thinking About Sarah Palin." They also post the first paragraph of my Clean Sheets story "Chasing Sarah Palin" followed by some ill-aimed slams of yours truly.One says: Porn is a writer's way of saying, "I'm out of imagination."We all know better and if you read the story you

Beauty in the Eye

2010-02-20T20:20:00.000-08:00

Well, this week it's my turn over at F-Stop to reveal my "naked I," or at least a few choice body parts. I'd say my first entry falls on the shy, virginal end of the spectrum, but then again I am describing my first experience in public erotic self-expression. We're open to all forms of self-exposure at F-Stop.Let me know what you think, and get working on your own post for us--pretty please!

The Accidental Ambassador

2010-02-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

Today I'm making a very special kimono-clad appearance at Yvonne Burton's Japan-U.S. Business blog. I met Yvonne on my New York stop of my Amorous Woman book tour, and we had the most inspiring breakfast at French Roast in the West Village. Every time I talk with Yvonne, I feel so positive, like I really can make the world a better place by telling others what I've learned in my Japan travels.

F-Stop Debuts with a Very Naked Truth

2010-02-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

It's Valentine's Day, the we celebrate erotic love and chocolate, and what better occasion to kick off our new blog F-Stop: Expose the Naked I? Today Shanna Germain pulls down the sheets to reveal herself in a way that--to take my turn at revelation--grabbed my insides, shook me up and really turned me on. Click on over and see what you think. There will be a new erotic artist revealing her/

A Roaring Interview at Logical Lust

2010-02-13T07:43:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I have roaring good news to share with you on official blog day. Valentine's Day is tomorrow, bringing not just just chocolates and flowers, but the release of an awesome new erotica anthology, The Cougar Book, edited by Jolie du Pre.Today I'm interviewed over at the Logical-Lust blog, with some insights into the inspiration for my creamy story, "Comfort Food." It's all about the

How to Write Good Sex

2010-02-11T10:35:00.000-08:00

Can't keep me away from my blog, can you? Well, I'm just popping in to let you know about a very educational interview over at The Loft Literary Center's website called Capturing Chemistry: Writing Good Sex. Veteran erotica writer Catherine Lundoff mentions yours truly as one of her favorite erotica writers in company with some of the best writers in the genre. Thanks so much, Catherine, and

Amorous Woman at Fleshbot!

2010-02-10T13:14:00.000-08:00

Well, just when you thought Lydia had truly taken her vows, she's back to her old tricks at the super-sexy site Fleshbot, with an excerpt from the ever-popular threesome scene with Kimura and Naomi from my novel, Amorous Woman. If you'd like a little nibble of some Japanese delicacies, stop on over and enjoy!

What's in a Name?--A Website for Writers

2010-02-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is about my novel. Really. I'm researching names for my third major male character and I found this website which lists the most popular names by year. I own a copy of Beyond Jennifer and Jason as a professional resource (somehow using both Jennifer and Jason a lot in my stories), but this site really is more useful in terms of placing names historically, whether it's Edna in the

An Insight About CEO's Who Like to Bottom

2010-02-09T19:07:00.001-08:00

So, I was on my walk this morning and somehow I got to thinking about the phenomenon of CEO's or other powerful men who like to be sexually dominated, and sometimes use their great wealth to purchase the services of a dominatrix. I read an article about this in The New Yorker back in the Tina Brown days, and ever since it seems that even minimally savvy people know this is a truth of human

Crappy Novels and the Years in the Cold

2010-02-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

In honor of the big snow storm on the east coast, I thought I'd pass along this essay by Dani Shapiro that I saw reprinted in a friend's "room" at the Zoetrope writing workshop. This essay really touched on a lot of topics I've been pondering recently. It's long, but worth reading. Dani Shapiro is a "literary" writer, but her work has appeared in Best American Erotica as well.This article is

I Love Sex With Strangers

2010-02-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

Well, not exactly, but "Sex with Strangers" is title of my guest blog over at the wonderful "Oh Get a Grip!" today. I weigh in on the relative merits of sex versus love in erotica and life, and of course, given my focus on writing new stuff, I tie it all into the theme of "keep writing." I guess I'm just an obsessed would-be second novelist! And special thanks to Ashley Lister for inviting me

A Call to Expose Yourself

2010-02-02T08:47:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited to announce a new blog project that Shanna Germain, Neve Black and I are starting up called “F-Stop: Expose the Naked I." Our goal is to create a space for erotic artists working in a variety of media to reveal themselves and promote their work in a sensually and intellectually stimulating way. And we started with our awesomely lush and sexy banner designed by Cyn Sorensen (

It's My Pleasure

2010-02-01T07:32:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to let you all know that an excerpt from my "I Dream of Jeannie" story, "Yes, Master," appeared in Fleshbot's book club feature. This ode to genie power is part of a very spicy anthology edited by Alison Tyler, Pleasure Bound: True Bondage Stories. I'm really thrilled my story was chosen from so many excellent, spell-binding pieces. I probably have Barbara Eden's magic to thank for