A New Year, A New Look at my New Book!

Happy New Year and best wishes for a happy, healthy and creative 2013!  I'm starting off the year by joining in a popular writer's activity of 2012:  The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.  I was tagged by Emily Jane Trent, who appears with me in the very sexy and slinky Vixotica: Sexy Short Stories by Best-Selling Erotica Authors.  Emily is the author of the Masquerade Series, a five-part tale which starts with Passion Unleashed and ends with Passion Embraced.  Although it was first published in paperback in 2008, I am very proud of my beautiful new ebook version of Amorous Woman which was released this past autumn.  The blog hop gave me an opportunity to share some information--including a few new secrets--about my book.

What is the title of your book?

Amorous Woman

What inspired your book?

I spent several years living in Japan in the early 1980s.  Immersion is such a different and fascinating culture made a deep impression on me.  Amorous Woman is not completely autobiographical, but the sensual memories and the yearning to become closer to Japan are very much my own.  Of course, my greatest inspiration was the many wonderful people I met in Japan: friends, boyfriends, mentors, courteous strangers.

How would you classify it in terms of genre?

Literary erotica.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Ken Watanabe as Kimura.  Emma Stone as Lydia.

Give us a short synopsis of your book.

It’s about an American woman's sexual awakening in Japan as she tests the limits of love and sensual pleasure.  She almost always gets an A on the test.

Can you tell us about the publisher?

The new ebook version is with Iro Books, the erotica line of Stonebridge Press.  If you have an erotica manuscript set in Asia, send it to them!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I’d been wanting to tell the story since the 1980’s, but when I was commissioned to write a book for Orion’s Neon erotica line in 2005, I finally had the chance to write it down.  I spent about six months writing intensely for the deadline—and I made it!  Thanks to too many cases of diet Snapple....

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

It’s not unlike Memoirs of a Geisha with more sex.  Lots more sex.

Describe an ideal setting for enjoying your book.

I suggest you take a long soak in a hot tub, then wrap yourself in a silk kimono and lounge on a futon (or bed) with a flask of sake and some sushi by your side.  Soft koto music is good accompaniment, although I listened obsessively to Tupac’s “All Eyez on Me” as I was writing the novel, so that’s an authentic alternative.

If I read your book, what’s in it for me?

My novel will take you on an intimate trip to a Japan few tourists ever see for much less than a plane ticket to Tokyo.  I’m talking threesomes, orgies, pornographic comics come to life, passionate affairs with married men, true love and descriptions of Japanese feasts to make your mouth water.  Believe me, it’s a bargain.

The Q&A is over, so what are you waiting for?  Pick up a copy of Amorous Woman for your e-reader right now.  If you’re looking for more delicious erotica to satisfy your appetite, check out these new works by some wonderful erotica writers:

Kristina Wright's Best Erotic Romance 2013 with a wonderful story by the very poetic Erobintica.

Lisabet Sarai's Coming Together In Vein, an anthology of sexy vampire tales.  Lisabet is a true master of our genre.

Emerald embodies the spirit of sex-positive warmth and wisdom and her latest publication appears in the Mischief anthology, Too Fast For Love.

Learning to Say "Yes" to Sex

I have a lot to be thankful for this month, including a recent visit to Beyond Romance, the blog of Lisabet Sarai, with my post "Discovering Sex and Self in a Foreign Land."  Lisabet's novel Raw Silk was one of the inspirations for my novel, Amorous Woman, so it's a special pleasure to be her guest. 

In this post, I discuss perhaps the master narrative of erotica:  an innocent woman's discovery of sexual pleasure.  Let's face it, even in our supposedly sex-saturated age, we are all bombarded with messages about the dangers of sexual desire, but women particularly still run the risk of being slut-shamed at any sign of erotic curiosity or pleasure.  The excerpt I posted at Lisabet's blog represents my protagonist's first moment of awakening--that saying "yes" does not mean the sky will fall on your head.  On the contrary, it can well be the first step on a wonderful journey.

The Accidental Ambassador

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. Plus, you know, I used to want to be in the Foreign Service, and in a very strange way my dream has come true.... So check it out and let me know what you think!

Reading IS Sexier in Paris!

Bonjour, mes amis! My big news today is that my novel, Amorous Woman, has taken a special flight over to the City of Lights to be featured on Maitresse, the very smart and elegant blog of Lauren Elkin, a literary lady who divides her time between Paris and Tokyo. Lauren's interview questions definitely got me thinking in a new way and I really enjoyed answering them--the flavor is definitely gourmet. So, if you're in the mood for an exquisite buttery croissant and a bowl of cafe au lait, please pop on over to Paris and leave a comment, if you are so inspired. Bon Appetit!

(Illustration:Utagawa Kunisada II, 1823-1880)

Amorous Notes

Mmm, thank you, Craig, for ordering in the frosty cold mugs of Paulaner and trays of sizzling wursts to satisfy the appetites your excerpt aroused in all of us. Like Aimee, I think we're all wanting more, more, more!

Just a quick announcement for those of you who'd like to take a peek at my earliest notes for my novel, Amorous Woman, which are posted over at Alison Tyler's blog, Trollop with a Laptop. Those notes make me blush, maybe even more so than the picture of my butt which debuted on her blog, and for a different reason. Why don't you pop over and guess why?

And if you haven't bought yourself a copy of Amorous Woman yet, Alison has the PERFECT incentive for all amorously-inclined readers. Thank you, AT! (I'll be offering a teasing tidbit from Alison's story in Do Not Disturb: Hotel Sex Stories a wee bit later....)

Do You Like Your Lingerie with an Amorous Twist?

Hey, the holiday treats just keep coming! It's not just the cookies. I have the sweetest pleasure to be featured on an awesome web site I've been lurking about on for some time now, ever since Jeremy Edwards introduced me to the pleasures of apricot panties and antique kimono.... Anyway, Ms. Slip of Girl got a copy of my novel, Amorous Woman, from her girlfriend Gracie Passette (a girlfriend after my own heart) and she liked it, too, and posted a wonderful review on her site.

She's also running a contest until December 18 where you can win a copy of Amorous Woman for yourself or a friend by doing one simple thing:

"All you have to do is tell me the most embarrassing place you've been caught reading erotica -- or, if you've never been caught, you can tell us your favorite place to read erotica &/or what's your favorite piece of lingerie to wear when you want to enjoy yourself reading erotica -- we're easy like that *wink*"

Now that's pretty easy, and it's also fun, so get your satin-clad booty (or boxer-clad booty or G-string or briefs or tap pants or whatever you wear under there-booty) over to Slip of a Girl and enter to win. I don't mind sending extra copies to my friends. I'm sure you have a girlfriend who'd like a little trip to Japan this holiday season?

Amorous Woman Makes Violet Blue's Top 10!

Woo hoo! Pop open the champagne, not that we ever need an excuse, but I do have most excellent news: Amorous Woman made Violet Blue’s top ten sexy book list for this Christmas! The list is in no particular order, but I did come first, which I usually do, but I’m getting off topic here. The holidays have a way of putting me in the mood!

Anyway, Violet knows a good dirty story when she sees one, as is clearly evident in this year’s hotter-than-ever Best Women’s Erotica 2009. I’ll be talking more about this soon, but it always is a special December treat, and definitely a good way to cap off my writing year.

Alison Tyler's inspiring Never Have the Same Sex Twice and Rachel Kramer Bussel's delectable Tasting Him and Tasting Her are also on the list. As I said, Violet has the very best "taste" when it comes to these matters! And that makes for an offering that is sure to please for almost everyone on your winter solstice gift list....

My HOTTEST Interview Ever!

My favorite part of book promotion has definitely been the interviews. Each host who’s been kind enough to me into their airy salon has asked thought-provoking, intelligent questions and helped me see my work in a new way. I’ve felt true support and interest and each time my life feels a bit richer for the experience. Of course, radio has its restrictions and the George Carlin rules shaped our discussions, but rather like a good bondage session, sometimes restrictions can increase the pleasure.

Then again, sometimes it’s fun just to say, forget rules and let it all hang out! That’s what I’ve done on my interview with the charming and provocative Dr. Dick. Thanks to an introduction by the awesome Jeremy Edwards, Dr. Dick invited me to be part of his series of interviews with artists who explore the erotic in their work, called The Erotic Mind.

The first part of my interview on Dr. Dick’s Sex Advice: Sex Advice With An Edge is available for your listening pleasure right here. I read from a shamelessly juicy part of Amorous Woman and tell all about how I started writing, why I write under my own name, the allure of multi-cultural erotica and much more. And if you like part one, you are really going to enjoy part two. That’s when things get really steamy!

An Armchair Trip to Japan's "Floating World"

My promotional activities for Amorous Woman have led me to some very entertaining and educational locales in cyberspace. Today I make a stop at Readerville.com's "Odd Shelf" feature with my list of favorite books on Japan's after-dark entertainment districts. Geisha, love hotels, spring prints, bar hostesses, pink salons and soaplands, the notorious Abe Sada, exquisite kaiseki dinners. If you have a vivid imagination--and I know the readers of my blog most definitely do--you can experience them all with my selection of elegantly written and beautifully illustrated books. Check out some of the other lists, too--and leave a comment if you're so inspired!

Amorous Woman Gets Even Spicier!

The big day has arrived! Come join me for a fun-filled barbecue book roast of Amorous Woman on Monday, September 22. There will be jokes, laughter, spicy comments, bawdy insinuations, and best of all, one lucky winner will take home their own Amorous Woman!

I hope that lucky winner is you!

Book Roast Alert!

Anticipation is half the fun—at least when it comes to sex, food and writing. So, to get the saliva glands working just a bit, I wanted to let you all know about a saucy event coming up next Monday, September 22 over at the Book Roast, where they serve ‘em juicy.

My friend, Xujun Eberlein, has already been well-grilled by the Roast Masters with her book, Apologies Forthcoming, and I’m looking forward to my own spicy feast. Like all barbecues, it will be more fun with good friends in attendance, so sharpen up your wit and get ready for a party next Monday. Can I count you in? (For those who already have a copy of Amorous Woman, if you win, I can substitute chocolate or another anthology with a DGS story!)

New Amorous Excerpt at Frequently Felt

The Amorous Woman makes a stop at a wonderful blog of sexual curiosities, M. Christian’s “Frequently Felt.” This name derives from a nineteenth-century joke: “old hat” is a slang term for women’s private parts as they were frequently felt.

Let’s hope so for the happiness of all.

I'm not sure what it is about sex in the nineteenth century that seems, well, naughtier. Maybe it was the greater obstacles presented by hoop skirts, petticoats and corsets, not to mention so many rules of propriety?

Anyway, in honor of the eclectic nature of Frequently Felt, I chose an excerpt about the sexual hobbyist, Mr. Kimura, who wows Lydia with his knowledge and prowess. I hope the excerpt pleases you, too!

Erotic Encounters Under the Blossoms

The Amorous Woman blog tour has pulled into Grand Central Terminal, baby, with a toot-your-whistle visit to Susie Bright’s Journal. Join me for an illustrated journey through the Gion I described in my Best American Erotica 2006 story, “Ukiyo.” Some stops are familiar, some brand-new, and you definitely won’t want to miss the provocative manga showing misbehavior under the cherry blossoms in as lascivious detail as the Japanese censors allow (I’m sure you can fill in the blanks)!

Bon Voyage! And please leave a comment on Susie's blog if you have the chance....

A Sexy Threesome at ERWA

This month I am all over ERWA with lots of love and kisses. First there’s my August installment of Cooking up a Storey: I’m Easy, But I’m No Slut: Why I’m Hot for Passionate Plumbers, Vibrating Mixers, and Heirloom No-Fail Fudge. Do I have to say more?

Then I make an appearance in the charming Ashley Lister’s column, “Between the Sheets”…oops, I mean, "Between the Lines." I talk about getting past first base, passionate getaways at country inns, theft, adultery, secrets of novel-writing and other topics pertinent to the writing life.

Finally, I review a fascinating book about the notorious knife-wielding geisha, Abe Sada, made famous in the West by Nagisa Oshima’s art film, In the Realm of the Senses. Read my take on Geisha, Harlot, Strangler, Star: A Woman, Sex and Morality in Modern Japan by William Johnston right here.

A Happy—and Sizzling Hot—August to you all!

Mad-Libs Results

The results are in! Eleven mad-libbers over at Lust Bites took on the challenge of rewriting my love hotel passage from Amorous Woman, and I have to say the results are brilliant.

Here’s the blank passage:

"Yes, Miss Evans," he'd sigh as I [VERB (PAST TENSE)] him. Thoroughly converted to the path of [NOUN]-[GERUND] [NOUN], he'd [VERB] and [VERB] me with his [BODY PART] under my [ADJECTIVE] [NOUN], until his [BODY PART] was as [ADJECTIVE] as a [COMESTIBLE (ADJECTIVE + NOUN)].

Here are the clever revisions:

Jeremy Edwards: "Yes, Miss Evans," he'd sigh as I avoided him. Thoroughly converted to the path of mind-broadening travel, he'd see and hear me with his foot under my blue blanket, until his shoulder was as deep as a hot brandy.

Janine Ashbless: "Yes, Miss Evans," he'd sigh as I passed him. Thoroughly converted to the path of butt-naked gardening, he'd turn and root me with his long-handled fork under my automated sprinkler, until his shaft was as purple as a prize-winning beetroot.

Ashley Lister: "Yes, Miss Evans," he'd sigh as I edited him. Thoroughly converted to the path of proofreading copy, he'd rewrite and correct me with his fingernail under my purple prose, until his finger was as red as a cochineal sandwich.

Madame Butterfly: “Yes, Miss Evans,” he’d sigh as I sprayed him. Thoroughly converted to the path of binge-drinking people, he’d lash and fan me with his finger under my bodacious lampshade, until his head was as lusty as a doughy bagel.

Kirsten Monroe: "Yes, Miss Evans," he'd sigh as I sparkled him. Thoroughly converted to the path of hair-parting games, he'd pillage and wrestle me with his left nipple under my fluffy merengue, until his cleft chin was as berserk as a fiery comet.

Neve Black: "Yes, Miss Evans," he'd sigh as I choked him,. Thoroughly converted to the path of vanilla-flavored sex,, he'd spank and tickle me with his toes under my cherry umbrella, until his cock was as rigid as ripe bamboo.

EllaRegina: "Yes, Miss Evans," he'd sigh as I hand-blocked him. Thoroughly converted to the path of hat-fondling study, he'd press and iron me with his tonsil under my curly steamer, until his elbow was as limber as a thinly-sliced bologna sandwich.

Kristina Lloyd: "Yes, Miss Evans," he'd sigh as I gerunded him. Thoroughly converted to the path of logic-fucking grammar, he'd comma and comma me with his chomsky under my split infinitive, until his colon was as semi as a dangling modifier.

Dennis Mahagin: "Yes, Miss Evans," he'd admit as I passed him. Thoroughly converted to the path of Hotwheel Racing, he'd squeal and tailgate me, with his fingers under my Grand Prix Boot, until his Hotwheel Car was as blistering as a lit Trader Vics Matchbox.

Emerald: "Yes, Miss Evans," he'd sigh as I dusted him. Thoroughly converted to the path of bicycle-promoting umbrellas, he'd battle and jump me with his elbow under my fringed cape until his cheek was as glittery as a strawberry-shaped clown hat.

Maryanne Stahl: "Yes, Miss Evans," he'd sigh as I basted him. Thoroughly converted to the path of egg-beating goddesses, he'd somersault and poke me with his spatula under my knee until his belly button was as fiery as a dynamite-filled croissant.

And here is the original, which, I now see is in fact sadly lacking in originality! Dynamite-filled croissants, strawberry-shaped clown hats, thinly-sliced bologna sandwiches, doughy bagels, not to mention dangling modifiers…I’m getting hungry. But first, the original passage:

“Yes, Miss Evans,” he’d sigh as I straddled him. Thoroughly converted to the path of teacher-pleasing diligence, he’d lick and strum me with his tongue under my careful direction, until his face was as slick as a glazed doughnut.

Glazed doughnuts? Well, maybe that part will do. I’m off to the doughnut shop, but thanks to all who joined in the fun!

Love Hotel Madness at Lust Bites

Tomorrow is a special stop on my Amorous Woman blog tour. I myself play tour guide to the wonderful world of Japanese love hotels over at Lust Bites. It's going to be quite a party. First, you can play a very exciting game called Love Hotel Madness, where everyone is a winner. Then you can join in some mad-libbing with my co-host and Lord of Misrule, Jeremy Edwards. One lucky mad-libber will win a copy of my novel, Amorous Woman, which is like a trip to Japan all in itself.

Don't we all need a vacation?

See you there!

The "Next Oprah" Interviews Me!

Actually, I wonder if Oprah could do as well--could you resist spilling all of your secrets to those dreamy brown eyes? Maryanne Stahl, author of Forgive the Moon and The Opposite Shore, a wonderful writer and an immensely generous mentor to so many writers, interviewed me for the July/August issue of Eclectica Magazine, which offers a delicious buffet of poetry, short fiction, essays, reviews and interviews with creative types--even, gasp, erotica writers. This interview explores bold new territory for me, in particular my take on feminism and creativity, why I like writing sex scenes, why submission can be empowering and all sorts of other juicy topics. It's like listening in on an intimate conversation between two friends telling all over tea--and believe me, this one is worth eavesdropping on! So pop on over to the interview and let me know what you think.

Amorous Woman Gets Sage and Vivacious

Lydia's safely back in the pages of Amorous Woman, acting out all of her steamy scenes with renewed enthusiasm, and so we've chugged on to the next stop on our amorous blog tour: a little chat with Sage Vivant about sex and Japan, love hotels, more confessions about autobiographical moments in the novel and plenty of other spicy topics.

When I first started blogging, I made a list of seven writers' soirees I'd like to attend. One involved talking shop in a low-lit San Francisco tapas place with Sage and M. Christian. Sometimes wishes do come true! Sage and I have had many delightful lunches in San Francisco, although mostly in a charming French bistro, called The Butler and the Chef. I can't resist their fabulous beet, walnut, and goat cheese salad--and am totally enchanted by the complimentary truffles for dessert. (However, if you're there around Thanksgiving, you must try the French-style pumpkin pie, the best on earth!)

Sage is definitely one of the writers who makes erotica a fun place to hang--she gives good blog, too! So check it and leave a comment and maybe we'll invite you along to The Butler and the Chef next time for some delicious talk....

I've Found Her!

I am SO relieved to tell you I've finally found Lydia. Of course, I should have expected she'd head over to the blog of Jeremy Edwards--that picture of him in his boxers is pretty irresistible. First my wayward storyteller gives Jeremy a no-holds barred interview on what she really thinks about naked men, me as an author, and her life on "the other side" in Fictionland. Then she disappears into the fedora cupboard and then all we hear is soft moans and heavy breathing. Good thing for me her lust got the better of her this time around, too. I'm standing outside the cupboard door, my now-mostly-blank copy of Amorous Woman open to page one. Jeremy's going to lure her out with some feint about taking off his boxers and when she responds, which she always does to something like that, I'm going to snap the book shut on her and put her right back where she belongs! Come on over and join the fun--that is if you like to watch ;-)

Spicy Secrets with Mars, Venus and Alana

My Amorous Woman blog tour continues with a stop at Alana Noel's very cool blog Mars with Mars and Venus. There's a (literally) steamy excerpt from my novel and a wonderful Q & A that was incredibly fun to do. You'll learn a lot of things about me I've never shared in public before: my pop culture indulgences, advice I'd give to my 13-year-old self and why I'm indebted to Diane di Prima. Alana's questions made me feel very clever and interesting and urbane, as if I were sitting in a cafe in Paris uttering witty, but significant things. I also mention the work of my good friend Susan DiPlacido, one of my favorite erotica writers and why I love her stories, so do go check it out. It's a whistle stop for artisanal ice cream in a homemade cone!