Coming Together: Against the Odds NOW IN PRINT

The last time I promoted the newest compilation in the Coming Together series of anthologies, Victoria Day had fireworks exploding outside my window. Now it's nearly Canada Day, and I'm back to share the news that Coming Together: Against the Odds is now available in PRINT format for those of you who, like me, prefer to hold your erotica in your hot little hands.

I'm a proud contributor to three volumes in the Coming Together series, and I'm delighted that the fabulous Alessia Brio selected my poem Will She Kiss Me? to open the collection.

For those unfamiliar with the Coming Together series, it's a group of erotic anthologies whose profits are donated to various charities. It's a great way for us authors and all you erotica enthusiasts out there to "come together" (right? right?) and contribute to a worthy cause.

About Coming Together: Against the Odds...

All behavior is communication. The trick is to figure out just what it's saying. No behavior communicates as clearly or on as many levels as sex. All the physical and emotional senses are engaged. Add the element of intrigue, and the intellect is engaged as well.

Phaze Books, in partnership with editor, Alessia Brio, is proud to announce the release of Coming Together: Against the Odds, a collection of erotic fiction with a mystery theme, with an introduction written by the one & only Maxim Jakubowski.

All proceeds from the sale of this special anthology will benefit Autism Speaks.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction (Maxim Jakubowski)
• Will She Kiss Me? (Giselle Renarde)
• Under a Moving Star (Angela Caperton)
• Blind Tasting (EllaRegina)
• Undercover Angel (Alessia Brio)
• Always a Bridesmaid (Andrea Dale)
• Choke (Gregory L. Norris)
• The Booty Call Caper (Kathleen Bradean)
• Sen-Sen (Alicia Night Orchid)
• It Had To Be You (GS Wiley)
• Missing Pieces (Jasmine Black)
• Claim Mate (Brenna Lyons)
• Sixth Sense (Teresa Noelle Roberts)
• No Boundaries (Moondancer Drake)
• The Arch (Eva Batonne)

Are you CISSEXUAL? Keeping up with the Lingo...

Happy Pride Week!

Is everybody feeling queer? I certainly am! Today I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop intended for human services providers (more commonly known as social workers).

The official workshop title was something along the lines of “Providing services to the lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersex and queer communities,” but the focus was on providing inclusive services to trans women. All too often, trans men and women find themselves with no place to turn because our social services sector is still struggling to accommodate the trans community.

I’ve been to a number of these training sessions, but no matter how many I attend I always manage to learn something new. Today’s new information was some terminology I never knew existed. That’s the thing about LGBT lingo: it’s in constant flux. It can be hard to keep up. Ever heard the terms CISSEXUAL and CISGENDER?

Me neither! Not until today, at least. What do they mean? They are the contrast terms for the concepts of TRANSSEXUAL and TRANSGENDER.

CISSEXUAL – refers to people who are not transsexual and have only ever experienced their gender identity and physical sex as being aligned. (ie. A woman born with female genitals, who had only ever thought of herself as female.)

CISGENDER –refers to individuals whose gender expressions match the behaviours or roles deemed by society to be appropriate to that sex. (ie. A “girly” girl. There is a certain amount of cross-over here, though, as a passing transwoman who exhibits “feminine” behaviours and look would also be considered cisgender)

Until these words came along, we would express contrast by saying, “She’s transgender and I’m…normal…” but look at the opposition that sets up! It makes the trans person come across as abnormal.

So that’s the function of the terms cissexual and cisgender. They’re still contentious in their own ways, since terminology can never be perfect, and I’m somewhat doubtful these terms will catch on in a big way, but now we know they exist. By the way, the “cis” is pronounced “sis.”

End of language today’s lesson.

The thing I find most encouraging about LGBT workshops is that they’re taking place at all. The social services sector is addressing the fact that many of its professionals aren’t all that comfortable around all things transgender. If they’re walking on eggshells on transgender issues, imaging how they’ll react to real life trans people!

Oh, one last thing: if you’re in Toronto and you’re looking to support the transgender community, you’re in luck! This year, you can attend Toronto’s first ever Trans Pride March. Meet at Bloor and Church at 7 p.m. Friday June 26, 2009 for the 8 p.m. march to Church and Wellesley. It’s not a long walk due to permit denials or some such nonsense, but you can certainly show your support by attending!

Hugs and Happy Pride,
Giselle Renarde

Quick Six Interview with Sandra Fowke

Quick Six
Interview with Sandra Fowke

1. Hi Sandra! Would you be so kind as to tell us what type of stories you write?

Sure, I write erotic romance which is obviously a middle ground between erotic fiction and romance fiction. I don't just want my hero to lust after my heroine, I want him to love her too.

2. What are you reading right now?

Nylon Angel by Marianne de Pierres - I've never read cyberpunk before but I'm loving this - Parrish Plessis is one cool, kickarse heroine.

3. I hear music in the background…what’s playing?

Oh that's Angus and Julia Stone. They are at the top of my fave music right now.

4. Do you have a favourite naughty word?

lol yeah right now it's 'fuck' - I know it shouldn't make me blush, considering what I write, but it still does and when used properly it can really have a strong affect. I still blush though lol.

5. Is there a word or phrase that absolutely makes you cringe?

"Her heels clicked a deep tattoo in the concrete" I can't remember where I read that - but I hate it! I get it - I understand the metaphore - It just bugs me lol.

6. Be honest: What are you snacking on?

Almonds - can you believe that I'm snacking on almonds - They are not a bloody snack! I want snacks, I want chips and a chocolate bar... *Cough* and back to the almonds - only another five kilos and I'm at my goal... Breathe...

Promo time! Flog your wares. Any exciting new releases? How can readers find out more about you and your work?

Oh yes! I have two stories coming out with eXcessica. Fallen Angel - A naughty romp with one hot, sexy pirate and a headstrong vixen from the future and Blood Dance Club - Two old rivals play a game of sex and deviation in a forbidden vampire club. Check my website http://www.sandrafowke.com for more details on both of those titles!

Ah, yes. "Fuck" is one of my favourites too. There's no more satisfying word in my vocabulary, and it works in numerous contexts. Unfortunately, I've been using it a little too freely in my girlfriend's direction, and she isn't speaking to me at the moment as a result. But I can't blame the word for that...
Thanks so much for the interview, Sandra!
Cheers,
gigi

Calling all...Limericists?

Let's have some fun, everybody!

I just arrived home from the symphony (a diverse program of Bartok and Strauss), and after all that High Culture I'm looking for the low.

So let's hear your best limericks!

Queer limericks would be great, in honour of Pride, but any limericks will do! What'cha got?

I'll start the ball rolling:

Liar!
By Giselle Renarde

There once was a girl at my work
Who claimed she thought I was a jerk,
But when I came around,
I quite often found,
Her nipples would suddenly perk!

Ba-dum-bump-ching!

Who can reciprocate? Let's hear some limericks!

Hugs,
Giselle

Warning: Adult Content!

Happy Monday!

I'm full of burgers, rosé, and kettle chips at the moment, but I thought I'd mosey on down to the ol' blog to remind y'all about For The Girls. They've redesigned their website since last I visited, and it's looking very hot and very professional.

Karen and Debbie, the webmistresses at FTG, have a couple videos for all you girls who like boys. I'd love you to take a look. Be forewarned: these vids are not for young eyes. 18+ just like everything else related to me, my work, and my life. LOL

Alright, enough talk. Onto the moooooving pictures....

This one's a trailer for an exclusive movie For The Girls is very proud to share with the world:


This one? Well, if you like boys playing with their toys, have a look...

If you decide to become an FTG member, take note that a couple of my new stories are up in the Wicked Ways section. LILLIAN'S NEW TOY is the tale of an older woman who buys a strap-on vibrator to combat her husband's solitary nocturnal habit. COCK ADDICT is a monologue by a woman who likes to "steal" her boyfriend's cock.

Now that's got to have you curious! Check it out today!





Have a wonderful evening, friends!
Giselle Renarde

A Fisting Good Time

I never thought we’d make it to the knuckles.

But, then again, I never thought we’d try.


I made the mistake of letting my girlfriend Sweet read a fisting story I wrote for Ruthie’s Club. It’s called Slowly, Carefully, and it’s flash fiction--we’re talking under 300 words, here. Despite its length, this story had a huge impact on Sweet. Just further proof that size doesn’t matter among transgendered lesbians... *grin*

Slowly, Carefully focuses on the emotional component of fisting. Me, I’m more of a “yeah, fuck me, baby, anytime, anyplace” kind of gal, but to Sweet, the feely has to come before the touchy. So, now that she’s read this story showcasing the bonding aspect of a particular sex act, of course she’s determined to try it.

I’m young-ish, no kids, so my feelings around fisting have always been, “I’ve got a good thing going with this body. Why ruin it?” The increased appeal of fisting, for me, has come alongside the grounding of my sexual identity. If I’m a lesbian, what do I need a tight pussy for? Nobody’s going to be fucking it.

So, with Sweet and I firmly planted in the pro-fisting camp, the act keeps rearing its colossal head. We're working our way there. It could simply be that I have an especially sensitive lover, but so far I’ve had no pain or tearing whatsoever. (Is that too much information? Sorry.) It’s a slow-going process, but well worth the time for the interpersonal connection fisting has helped us deepen.
My advice to anybody thinking about fisting is to take your time. Take a lot of time. For Sweet and I, it hasn’t been a one-time event. We’ve been working at it for weeks. Now, recall that my partner, as a trans woman, doesn’t share my dainty little hooves. Honestly? She’s got big-ass man hands. That’s okay, it just means the process takes a little longer.

I’m the world’s biggest proponent of petroleum jelly (or a strong water-based lube if you’re using gloves), but Sweet’s outlook is, “You get so wet on your own. Why use lube?” Right. Okay. So, we’ve been going the bare-hands-no-synthetic-lube route. Thank god she’s gentle. If she weren’t this process would not work.

Oh, another piece of useful advice: Take off rings. Yikes.

Today, we reached a new peak in the process: Four fingers to the knuckles. No synthetic lube. And when I say, “take your time,” I mean we worked at this for nearly two hours.

Fisting is not a mad passionate event. It’s more along the lines of tantric sex, at least for Sweet and I. There has to be a tremendous amount of trust between partners to achieve this feat. It's a collective goal. I would say fisting has generated bonding feelings between us more than any other sex act…

…except kissing…

*smile*

Bright Blessings,
Giselle Renarde

Bjork Hits People in Airports

This isn’t recent news, but apparently elfin Icelandic singer Bjork has whacked a few guys in airports over the years. The first such event occurred when a member of the news media had the audacity to greet her with the words, “Welcome to Bangkok.”

I’m not sure that deserves a smack. Maybe if he’d said “You are welcome to bang my cock” or [insert your own Bangkok joke here], I’d be more sympathetic.

And, yes, I do realize there are plenty of other celebrities who hit photographers in airports…here’s lookin’ at you, Woody Harrelson. But, hey, I feel ‘ya, man! Sometimes photographers look exactly like zombies. Hell, sometimes I can’t tell the difference either.

I just related better to scrappy little pixies, I guess.

Anyway, all this gossip about assaults on photographers has me pondering the appeal of celebrity. According to a Pew Research Centre poll, 81% of 18-25 year-olds agree that becoming rich is their top (or at least second-top) priority in life. 51% said the same thing about becoming famous.

There you have it: Generation Y wants to be rich and famous.

Now, we all know there are three types of lies (lies, damn lies, and statistics), so I take any poll results I hear about with a grain of salt. That said, the rise of Reality TV stars is a pretty good indicator of what people will do for their 15 minutes of fame. Not that this is a new phenomenon. Think Gong Show. But the fact that people actually attain a certain level of notoriety—if not fame itself—despite a lack of any discernable talent is…well…it’s kind of pathetic.

It’s one thing if you have a great gift you absolutely need to share with the world…but I suppose the problem is that pretty much everybody thinks they’ve got talent. I’m still thinking Gong Show. Boy, do I need to update my points of reference!

The idea of celebrity doesn’t appeal to me one bit. I can’t stand the idea of half the world reading about my dating disasters in a gossip magazine. Sure, I share a lot about my life and relationships via my blog, but I feel like that’s on my terms. To the best of my knowledge, catty scandalmongers aren’t all that interested in where Sweet and I ate breakfast this morning. And I don’t like having my picture taken on the best of days.

The more I think about fame, planes, and paparazzi, the more I sympathize with Bjork and all the other camera-guy-smackers. I’m sure I could be pushed off the deep end easily enough. If there happened to be a photographer in my face at the time, he might just feel the wrath of my own fairy fists.

Bright Blessings to all you pixie people!
Giselle Renarde