Rachel Kramer Bussel's Blog
March 9, 2022
Erotica 201 Writing and Publishing Online Workshop April 30, 2-5 pm PT
My three previous online erotica writing workshops for She Bop were two hours long and we found that there were still lots of questions at the end I didn't have time to answer. So now I'm teaching a new three-hour Erotica 201 class, with both writing prompts and exercises and readings and lots of publishing information. Those who've attended previous workshops will get plenty of new information, with a little overlap, and beginners are welcome, especially for those interested in getting their erotica published. Includes a writing tips handout and bibliography/publisher listings handout. Registrants will have access to the live class Sunday, April 30, 2-5 pm PT/5-8 pm ET and a recording of the class accessible for a week afterward. Registration and details at She Bop. If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact She Bop.
February 17, 2022
Need help with your sex memoir or erotica manuscript? Hire me!
When I had my website redesigned in 2019 (shoutout to Hunter Rook of Rowdy Ferret Design), I knew I wanted to make a mission statement that would try to sum up all the various types of things I do with words (fiction and nonfiction writing, copywriting, anthology editing, consulting with authors, teaching writing classes). This was my best stab at it: I write memorable stories and teach people how to craft their own.
I work with aspiring and published authors of erotica, erotic romance and nonfiction around sexuality and relationships to sharpen their manuscripts, generate ideas, navigate building an author brand and platform and more. I'm part writing coach and cheerleader and part consultant, copyeditor and advisor on marketing and publishing based on my over 20 years of experience with erotica and writing essays, sex columns and journalism for print and online publications. You can learn more about my consulting work at EroticaWriting101.com if you're interested or know anyone who is. I offer rates on a per word basis for novellas, novels, memoir and essays and consulting calls for those who have general or specific questions. You can read what clients and students have said about working with me in the testimonials section.
I work with aspiring and published authors of erotica, erotic romance and nonfiction around sexuality and relationships to sharpen their manuscripts, generate ideas, navigate building an author brand and platform and more. I'm part writing coach and cheerleader and part consultant, copyeditor and advisor on marketing and publishing based on my over 20 years of experience with erotica and writing essays, sex columns and journalism for print and online publications. You can learn more about my consulting work at EroticaWriting101.com if you're interested or know anyone who is. I offer rates on a per word basis for novellas, novels, memoir and essays and consulting calls for those who have general or specific questions. You can read what clients and students have said about working with me in the testimonials section.
3 new erotica anthology calls for submissions
Good news: I'm editing three new Cleis Press erotica anthologies! Here are my erotic short story calls for submissions, with May 1 and June 1, 2022 deadlines, and payments of $100 for Couples Erotica and Sexy Strangers and $225 for Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 9, which has a theme of temptation.
The first two for Couples Erotica and Sexy Strangers are open to all writers, and Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 9 is open to authors who themselves are women, gender nonconforming, genderqueer and/or nonbinary who have not been published or scheduled to be published in the first eight Best Women’s Erotica of the Year volumes edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel; all volumes have this stipulation around authors' identity and I don't repeat authors in the series to make room for as many writers as possible. The first 8 volumes have included work by 146 authors. Everything I'm looking for is listed in the guidelines, but if you have any questions I don't answer in the guidelines, please email me at the address listed with the call. That's the only way you should be contacting me with questions about these anthologies.
Please spread the word! I've worked with over 700 authors in my anthologies so far and my goal is to get to 1,000 authors, so I'm hoping to fill these books with as many authors I haven't worked with before as possible. That's one of my favorite aspects of being an anthology editor.
The first two for Couples Erotica and Sexy Strangers are open to all writers, and Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 9 is open to authors who themselves are women, gender nonconforming, genderqueer and/or nonbinary who have not been published or scheduled to be published in the first eight Best Women’s Erotica of the Year volumes edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel; all volumes have this stipulation around authors' identity and I don't repeat authors in the series to make room for as many writers as possible. The first 8 volumes have included work by 146 authors. Everything I'm looking for is listed in the guidelines, but if you have any questions I don't answer in the guidelines, please email me at the address listed with the call. That's the only way you should be contacting me with questions about these anthologies.
Please spread the word! I've worked with over 700 authors in my anthologies so far and my goal is to get to 1,000 authors, so I'm hoping to fill these books with as many authors I haven't worked with before as possible. That's one of my favorite aspects of being an anthology editor.
February 4, 2022
Celebrate The Big Book of Orgasms, Volume 2 on Twitter Spaces Wednesday, February 9 with me
Get excited: On Tuesday, February 8, Cleis Press will publish my new erotic flash fiction anthology
The Big Book of Orgasms, Volume 2: 69 Sexy Stories
, which includes my new story, "Dirty Pictures," and then on Wednesday, February 9, from noon ET until 2 pm ET, Dr. J., aka Donna Jennings, Ph.D., another contributor to the book (her story is "Maintenance Needed"), will host me and other authors in a Twitter Spaces chat! I encourage you to follow Donna on Twitter and tune in to her weekly #TheSexualitySpace Twitter chats. We will be chatting about all things erotica with Ella Dawson, Meka James, Allison Hope, Evie Bennet, HL Brooks, Suzannah Weiss, Rien Gray, Heather Lin, jordan Monroe and Elle Stanger!
January 29, 2022
Online Erotica Writing 101 workshop Sunday, January 30
I'm late in posting this but wanted to let you know that Sunday, January 3, 2022, from 5-7 pm PT.8-10 ET, I'm teaching my online Erotica Writing 101 workshop for She Bop! All the details are over on the She Bop site and you can contact them if you have any questions. All registrants will get access to the live event, access to the video recording for one week, and two handouts, a bibliography and a list of five tips for writing sex scenes. If you're curious about how to write erotica, want to enjoy a fun and sexy pre-Valentine's Day date, or are looking to start an erotica writing career, this is a great workshop for you!
November 19, 2021
Bid on the Romance for Chencia auction for hotel stays, signed books and more
Romance author Chencia C. Higgins is facing homelessness and the romance community is stepping in with the Romance for Chencia auction. I'm part of that because I donated a bundle of signed copies of 3 books, Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 5, 6 and 7. Volume 7 doesn't hit stores until December 14 so you'll be getting your copy a little bit early and supporting a wonderful cause!
The auction has 144 items and runs from today through November 26. Check out all the items, including a stay at a Disney Hilton Head hotel, manuscript critiques, bookstore gift certificates and so many signed romance novels.
You can also donate to Chencia directly if you want to help. Via her Twitter feed, here are links to donate directly:
Cashapp
Venmo
PayPal
If you can't donate, please spread the word using the hashtag #romanceforchencia on social media.
The auction has 144 items and runs from today through November 26. Check out all the items, including a stay at a Disney Hilton Head hotel, manuscript critiques, bookstore gift certificates and so many signed romance novels.
You can also donate to Chencia directly if you want to help. Via her Twitter feed, here are links to donate directly:
Cashapp
Venmo
PayPal
If you can't donate, please spread the word using the hashtag #romanceforchencia on social media.
November 8, 2021
My op-ed on my first pandemic concert and pandemic socializing
For the Philadelphia Inquirer, I wrote about attending my first pandemic concert and pandemic socializing. Hope you'll check it out. Also, since I wrote it, I've gotten my first pandemic haircut!
October 12, 2021
Book launch event December 7 for Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 7
I'm very happy to share that the official book launch event for
Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 7
will take place on the release day, Tuesday, December 7, at 5-6 pm ET, 8-9 pm PT with The Ripped Bodice bookstore! You can watch free on The Ripped Bodice Facebook page and can RSVP here (optional). Joining me will be contributors Adriana Herrera, Lucy Eden, Corrina Lawson, Angelina M. Lopez, Holley Trent, and Erin McLellan, sharing a range of hot pansexual stories and talking about their writing process. Ask us anything! You can pre-orer the book from The Ripped Bodice and when you watch on the 7th you'll get a 15% off discount code for any books on their site.
In the meantime, a reminder that you have until this Friday, October 15, to enter to win Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 7 on Goodreads!
In the meantime, a reminder that you have until this Friday, October 15, to enter to win Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 7 on Goodreads!
October 6, 2021
Enter to win Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 7
We are just over two months away from the December 7th release of
Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 7
. I'm so excited about this book whose theme is surprise. It has 20 brand new erotica stories by amazing authors who all took that theme and truly ran with it. There's more info below, and stay tuned for details about our December 7th, 5-6 pm PT/8-9 pm ET virtual book launch on The Ripped Bodice Facebook page.
There's more info on the book below but for now, I wanted to let you know that you can enter to win a copy at Goodreads through October 15th (with a new giveaway starting the next day). It's only open to U.S. addresses (sorry). Good luck, and thanks for reading!
About Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 7:
Dive into these sexy surprises...
From a model and her hot security guard using a new sex toy to a shifter triad taking a major new step in their relationship, these sexy stories are sure to wow you. Lovers deviate from their set routine to explore the thrill of the unknown in "Tulsa," while one woman goes on a very "Wicked Ride" that takes her to a totally different kind of arousal. From fetishes to fantasies to the taboo, the women in these stories are ready to surprise you. Discover a new way of getting off with "Gravity" and unravel a "Puzzle" about a male stripper who's even hotter than Magic Mike. Whether you're new to erotica or a longtime reader, these scenarios deliver the heat.
Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 7 features the hottest erotic stories by popular authors such as Lucy Eden, Adriana Herrera, Erin McLellan, Angelina M. Lopez, Holley Trent, Sara Taylor Woods and many others, edited by the award-winning Rachel Kramer Bussel.
"Bussel serves up blistering-hot desire in this excellent addition to the annual anthology series. While geared specifically to women, there’s a little something for everyone here, with a variety of genres and fetishes and a diverse array of characters. This sizzling volume is sure to wow erotica lovers." -- Publishers Weekly
"Sensual and surprising, evocative and bold. This collection showcases a spectrum of sexuality, the one constant a poignant intimacy that resounds after the final page." -- New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren
"The Best Women's Erotica of the Year Volume 7 anthology delivers heat and heart on every page. The authors showcase a range of stories that titillate the imagination and wrap the reader in a warm embrace. This collection is spectacular with a diversity of stories coalescing into a read that will leave you breathless." -- Denise Williams, author of How to Fail at Flirting
"The anthology of my erotic dreams! This collection is perfectly assembled and has everything from a woman with synesthesia who creates erotic art to lion shifters to negotiating peace treaties with other planets. Each of these masters of the craft delivers on the promise of surprise and I couldn't put it down. I braced myself for each new story and was left breathless every single time." -- Bree Hill, co-host of The Categorically Romance Podcast
There's more info on the book below but for now, I wanted to let you know that you can enter to win a copy at Goodreads through October 15th (with a new giveaway starting the next day). It's only open to U.S. addresses (sorry). Good luck, and thanks for reading!
About Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 7:
Dive into these sexy surprises...
From a model and her hot security guard using a new sex toy to a shifter triad taking a major new step in their relationship, these sexy stories are sure to wow you. Lovers deviate from their set routine to explore the thrill of the unknown in "Tulsa," while one woman goes on a very "Wicked Ride" that takes her to a totally different kind of arousal. From fetishes to fantasies to the taboo, the women in these stories are ready to surprise you. Discover a new way of getting off with "Gravity" and unravel a "Puzzle" about a male stripper who's even hotter than Magic Mike. Whether you're new to erotica or a longtime reader, these scenarios deliver the heat.
Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 7 features the hottest erotic stories by popular authors such as Lucy Eden, Adriana Herrera, Erin McLellan, Angelina M. Lopez, Holley Trent, Sara Taylor Woods and many others, edited by the award-winning Rachel Kramer Bussel.
"Bussel serves up blistering-hot desire in this excellent addition to the annual anthology series. While geared specifically to women, there’s a little something for everyone here, with a variety of genres and fetishes and a diverse array of characters. This sizzling volume is sure to wow erotica lovers." -- Publishers Weekly
"Sensual and surprising, evocative and bold. This collection showcases a spectrum of sexuality, the one constant a poignant intimacy that resounds after the final page." -- New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren
"The Best Women's Erotica of the Year Volume 7 anthology delivers heat and heart on every page. The authors showcase a range of stories that titillate the imagination and wrap the reader in a warm embrace. This collection is spectacular with a diversity of stories coalescing into a read that will leave you breathless." -- Denise Williams, author of How to Fail at Flirting
"The anthology of my erotic dreams! This collection is perfectly assembled and has everything from a woman with synesthesia who creates erotic art to lion shifters to negotiating peace treaties with other planets. Each of these masters of the craft delivers on the promise of surprise and I couldn't put it down. I braced myself for each new story and was left breathless every single time." -- Bree Hill, co-host of The Categorically Romance Podcast
September 17, 2021
Online Erotica Writing Workshop Sunday, October 24
I'm teaching my next online erotica writing workshop for She Bop on Sunday, October 24, from 4:30-6:30 PT/7:30-9:30 ET. I made this one two hours because last time because there were so many questions from students and I want to make sure I answer them all. Space is limited so it's recommended that you sign up early if you're interested. There's more information at She Bop's site.
In this two hour virtual workshop, Rachel Kramer Bussel, professional erotica author and editor of over 70 anthologies, will take you through the ins and outs of modern erotic writing. Learn how to get started, develop your voice, easily find story ideas, pen sex scenes, and write from a wide range of perspectives. Through the use of writing prompts and examples from published erotica, you'll discover how to incorporate everyday scenarios as well as outlandish fantasies into your writing, and make them fit for particular publications.
In this two hour virtual workshop, Rachel Kramer Bussel, professional erotica author and editor of over 70 anthologies, will take you through the ins and outs of modern erotic writing. Learn how to get started, develop your voice, easily find story ideas, pen sex scenes, and write from a wide range of perspectives. Through the use of writing prompts and examples from published erotica, you'll discover how to incorporate everyday scenarios as well as outlandish fantasies into your writing, and make them fit for particular publications.
