Passion: Erotic Romance for Women - Available Now!

Another release!  It's a real honour to be published in Passion, which is edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel and published by Cleis Press.  Here's the book trailer:



For great reviews of the book, go here and here.

With contributed stories by Donna George Storey, Jacqueline Applebee, Angela Caperton, Wickham Boyle, Suzanne V. Slate, Isabelle Gray, Lana Fox, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Monica Day, A.M. Hartnett, Annabeth Leong, Justine Elyot, Charlene Teglia, Lizzy Chambers, Saskia Walker, Emerald, Teresa Noelle Roberts, Delilah Devlin, Portia de Costa, and Kathleen Bradean.

By the by, speaking of Rachel, she has a fascinating article up at The Nervous Breakdown.  The whole site's great actually -- I have been exploring it, in my foxy way.

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Pure: An Audio Story

I have a new erotic story (published in audio) up at the Good Vibrations Magazine.  It's called Pure.  Hope you enjoy.

Pic: Prism Sublime by Tamara's Fine Art Photography

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Willow & Tara: Surge, Collision, Climax!

Willow (Riff Regan) & Tara (Amber Benson)

I was watching the Buffy episode Hush tonight with a couple of friends.  What fun!  Those of you who've seen Hush will know that the gang have to fight off the "Gentlemen" - monsters who wish to cut hearts from human chests.

Gore, panic.  Awesome.

Anyway, there's a point where Willow and Tara, who both have natural talent as witches, are running away from these fiends.  (I should say:  though they're not dating each other, they share a sexual charge).  The girls trap themselves in a campus room, which contains little more than a drinks machine that's far too heavy for them to physically move.  When Willow falls to the floor to nurse a sprained ankle, Tara crouches by her.  The eerie Gentleman are in the corridor just outside, and the door has no lock...

At this point in the evening, I mention to my friends that the coming scene is one of the most erotic I've ever seen on TV.  "The coming scene?" they cry.  "No!  It isn't erotic!"  We return to the show.

Willow is now focusing on the drinks machine, clearly willing it to move against the door - and yes, it starts to wobble, but she hasn't enough power.  Tara notices, however, and laces her fingers through Willow's.  (At this point, one of my friends concedes, "Actually, that is pretty hot").  The girls look into each other's eyes, sharing a dark understanding...and, hand in hand, they simultaneously turn to the drinks machine, which shoots with a sudden magnetic force against the door.  Crash!

This is when I announce, somewhat loudly, "And if THAT isn't an orgasm I don't know what is."  My words are greeted with a considerable amount of mirth.

The scene ends with Willow and Tara sharing an astounded look, apparently stunned by what just passed between them.

Why do I think this scene is hot?  Because it's about two women discovering what can happen when they join, through touch, and let their power flood out.  Unrestrained, they merge, and whack, bam, whollop! there's a sudden surge, a collision, a climax.

There doesn't have to be sex for a scene to be sexy.  All we need is an elegant metaphor that reflects the emotional reality.  Master that, and it's showdown.

And Whedon et al. are pitch perfect.  Buffy the Vampire Slayer is sheer flipping genius.

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Photos From October's In the Flesh (by Anya Garrett).

These photos, taken by Anya Garrett, are from In the Flesh (October 2010).  They are of:  Graydancer, Beth Rayner, Dusty Horn, Heidi Champa, Velvet Moore, Daniel Allen Cox, Rachel Kramer Bussel & Lana Fox.

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In the Flesh (or You Knock My Fishnet Stockings Off).

On Thursday night, I read at the In the Flesh Erotic Reading Series, founded and hosted by Rachel Kramer Bussel, and what a wonderful event it was. I was fortunate enough to be sharing the spotlight with Laura Boyd, Heidi Champa, Velvet Moore, Beth Raymer, Dusty Horn, Daniel Allen Cox, Graydancer, and, of course, Rachel herself, who also read on behalf of the brilliant Neve Black.

Not only am I a fan of all the work that these gifted writers shared, but I was also taken with their presentations. Laura Boyd's photographic eye is second to none, and she has a wonderful, warm philosophy underpinning her work. Beth Raymer's biographical Lay the Favorite sounds sparklingly good, and Dusty Horn's reading was as vivid, uproarious and gutsy as the story she read from Orgasmic: Erotic Stories for Women. Other Orgasmic readers included Velvet Moore with her gorgeously inventive Chemistry and the delightful Heidi Champa, who gave us quite a luxurious wake-up! Graydancer and Daniel Allen Cox brought laughter, charisma and wit; and naturally it was a joy to hear Rachel read her work -- she really does merit her reputation as one of the top authors and editors in the genre. I must add, having run and hosted reading events myself, Rachel held the whole night together wonderfully, bringing an open and inviting energy to the venue. We enjoyed ourselves immensely.

The Happy Ending Lounge was jam-packed with a fun and lively audience, and meeting fellow artists from the world of sex was nothing short of inspiring. We all seemed to know exactly when to laugh about sex and when to take it seriously, and I felt a real shared pride, which (to borrow a phrase from Audrey Niffenegger) knocked my fishnet stockings off.

My only sadness? I have yet to receive my copies of Passion: Erotic Romance for Women (which are on their way to me in the mail), and I didn't really have time to take a look at the ones that were on sale. I did sign copies, but does that count? Yes! The audience was so enjoyable - these folks really made the night.

An orgasmic evening with a happy ending. Who could ask for more?

Thanks to Rahadyan for taking the above photo & sending it my way.

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Best Women's Erotica 2011 (or "Excited to the Point of Silly")

Yes, I'm excited to the point of silly to be appearing in Best Women's Erotica 2011 among a star-studded cast. And there's even a sneak-peek of the introduction to the book on the Cleis website. Here's the Cleis blurb:

"Suddenly this year, every single story is layered top to toe with explicit sex—hard and wet and mean and sweet, flowing with love and fused with characters who finally feel like us, with no apologies..." —from the Introduction by Violet Blue.

In Best Women's Erotica 2011, women are ready to stake their sexual claims like never before—with characters created by some of the most famous names in the erotica genre. Alison Tyler's naughty roommate threesome get more than they bargained for in the dangerous and delicious "Want"; an athlete in Sommer Marsden's "Laps" finds herself doing anything to please her trainer; and a mistress in Rachel Kramer Bussel's "Espionage" commands her lover for herself, if only for a searing moment, during a dinner party where she meets his wife.

With stories contributed by Alison Tyler, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Sommer Marsden, Jacqueline Applebee, Donna George Storey, Cecilia Tan, Louisa Harte, Louise Lagris, Chrissie Bentley, Alyssa Turner, Lana Fox, Amelia Thornton, Giselle Renarde, Valerie Alexander, Velvet Moore, Lola Olson, Kirsty Logan, Cynthia Hamilton, and Janine Ashbless.

The official release date is at the start of December. Pre-order on Amazon if you're as downright restless as I am!

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Sex is Art, Sweet Baby

I have a new story up at the Good Vibrations Magazine: Sex is Art, Sweet Baby. (Which, of course, it is).

The photo is of Kiki De Montparnasse, an artist's model who has been preserved in sepia for posterity. Beautiful, wasn't she?

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Just One X in Sex: Lana's Editing, Teaching & Audio Services

I'll be writing more soon, folks. This is just to let you know that I'm now offering professional editing, teaching & audio services, which you can read about here.

Obviously, the image you see on your left is a picture of me in my office.

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The Foxpod No. 2

Yes, I've been recording myself by candlelight again. This time, I sing the praises of Anais Nin and read from some of her gutsiest work. To listen to the Foxpod No. 2, go here. To buy and read Incest: From a Journal of Love, go here.

By the by, if any of you would like me to read excerpts from a certain erotic writer, please do get in touch or comment below.

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Orgasmic: The Book Trailer

Isn't Rachel gorgeous? Will she come and read me Orgasmic stories before I go to sleep? ;) By the by, the frosting story Rachel reads from is mine. I do like my sugar.

Getting Orgasmic Next Thursday, with Cupcakes (Who Wouldn't?)

Orgasms all around! In The Flesh turns 5 and celebrates orgasms with readings from host Rachel Kramer Bussel's Orgasmic: Erotic Stories for Women, an insider look at boudoir photography and more. Featuring boudoir photographer Laura Boyd (ownyoursexy.com), Graydancer (Ropecast), novelist Daniel Allen Cox (Krakow Melt), gambling memoir author Beth Raymer (Lay the Favorite) and Orgasmic contributors Neve Black, Heidi Champa, Lana Fox and Velvet Moore. Giveaways include Astroglide lube samples, rabbit vibrator, leopard print blindfold and wrist and ankle cuffs, and chocolate body paint kit from EdenFantasys, plus 100 free copies of SexIs Magazine. Free Baked by Melissa cupcakes, candy and chips will be served. This is the countdown to the final In The Flesh December 16th so don't miss a very special night!

Photo by Laura Boyd at ownyoursexy.com - visit her site for sexy photos of you (yes, you!). The above post was written by Rachel Kramer Bussel.

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Erotica Matters

What matters? Having friends in my life who make me tea when I go to pieces, and tuck me up in front of episodes of Hustle. Peace, where we can make it. Sexual politics and freedom. Kindness, hope, empathy. And, of course, erotica.

See, erotica matters to me. I've been broken and battered in love as much as the next guy, and one of the places I mend myself is on that beautiful page. What's more, erotica is the ultimate in loving gestures. When we cherish our own sexuality, we cherish others' too.

And right now, that keeps me going. Thank God.

NB. Here is a quote from an anonymous fan of Good Vibrations, the company I loved way before I started writing for their magazine. It really speaks to what I'm trying to say above - after all, one of the reasons we write and read erotica is to arouse, to comfort, to liberate:

"For those of us who didn't grow up in a sex-positive environment, or have had damage done to us, finding a source of frank, friendly information and TONS of options is really life changing. For me, being able to play with toys myself, taught me how my body could still be a source of pleasure, and put the power to explore it in my hands. I can't thank you enough."

The photo is of Anais Nin, who wrote the first collection of erotic stories I ever read: Delta of Venus. Having said that, her diaries are actually sexier... She burned her way through life.

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New Story at Good Vibrations: Tiger's Maid

This year, I'm going to a Halloween party dressed as a French Maid. (It's a long story that ends with me donning an apron and fishnets!). The costume's what inspired the French Maid piece that's now up at Good Vibrations. After all, isn't there something wonderful about the world of outfits? In a jiffy, we can become our lover's favourite fantasy -- and what's more giving than that?

While there's lots of riotous sex in Tiger's Maid, I wanted to quietly hint at another important truth: Choosing when to have sex and when not to is just as much a part of our sexuality as screwing and making love. In fact, the other forms of intimacy that become part of a sexual relationship can give rise all sorts of pleasures.

Sex and Sexuality. One's a part of the other.

Photo: "French Maid Fetish" by Diana Blackwell

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The Unveiling of the Foxpod

Late at night while her housemates were sleeping, Lana Fox sat in a candlelit room and, in whispered tones, recorded the first ever Foxpod. Featuring a little intro from yours truly and a reading of Sol*, the first podcast is a taster of what's to come. In the future, I'll be sharing erotica and sex writing by other published authors, and am particularly looking forward to Foxpod no. 2, which will feature Anais Nin. I plan to record every two weeks, so do stay tuned.

Thanks so much for listening. And please either comment or email to let me know your thoughts -- I'd love to make this little audio program enjoyable for as many listeners as possible.

Photo by DeeJayTee23

*Sol was first published in Clean Sheets and currently appears in audio at the Good Vibrations Mag.

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Lana's Head Turners: Recommended Blogs and Authors

I often feel like a slender string in the gargantuan spider's web of sex writing! And wouldn't I be Scrooge if I didn't showcase our legacy of authors and artists? So I've made a list. (Always start with a list). In it, you'll find authors of erotica, hot romance, political commentary and smart, literate smut -- I hope it will prove an eclectic mix to suit a range of tastes. The page is in its infancy and I'm sure will only grow. In future, I plan to include sections. And if you send your own recommendations, I'll heart you.

Love yourselves today, folks. It's Friday.

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