Bite Me! Now Available from Torquere Press

Well, here it is!

Bite Me, the delicious sequel to last year's Love Bites is NOW AVAILABLE from BBA/Torquere Press.

About Bite Me: A BBA Menage Anthology

Stories by: Sean Michael, Marie Carlson, Joyce Sully, Mercy Loomis, CC Bridges, Julia Talbot, Giselle Renarde, Vic Winter, J. Rocci, and BA Tortuga
Edited by: KIL Kenny
165 pages / 62300 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-790-9, 1-60370-790-5
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, epub, Sony-optimized pdf , paperback

Hidden in plain view, taboo lovers bond in ways mundane eyes cannot see. When two are not enough, "Bite Me" shows how three can seal their truest carnal connections. When Needed, by Sean Michael, starts off with Jen, whose two faithful canine companions might be more than they seem. In Like a Thousand Miles of Fire, Marie Carlson's half-demon Crystal Andraya finds strength in the arms of her vampire lovers as war between their races looms. In Joyce Sully's Roll Up, a joyless student falls for a sideshow huckster and a cannibal queen.

In Julia Talbot's Changing Shifts, Dave has to explain to his roommates why he's suddenly shunning sunlight. Mercy Loomis unmasks a vampire demon in Empusa, whose lovers don't usually live to tell the tale. A different kind of mystery hooks Monica in CC Bridges' Dog Days. Her best friend has disappeared, and the two strangers who show up in her life have secrets they want to keep.

In Giselle Renarde's Shadow People, PI Anna Fairclough is chosen to investigate the elusive Inuit Shadow People. Vic Winter's Owen thinks he might be crazy when he finds a strange woman in the park, but his lover Tommy knows what to do. In This Home We Defend, by J Rocci, Zev unwittingly brings his pack into danger when a new Alpha issues an unusual challenge. Finally, in A Family Business, by BA Tortuga, Kit has a hard time juggling the family demon hunting business with two vampire lovers.

So, as you saw above, my story is called Shadow People.

Traditional stories tell of Inuit who have crossed into the shadow world. No one has ever returned.

Paranormal Investigator Anna Fairclough hasn't had much luck in getting the interesting assignments. When her boss, Gentle Geoff, chooses her to investigate the existence of the elusive Inuit Shadow People, Anna is delighted. When he decides to come along for the trip, she's over the moon. But when their attempts to find the mythical Shadow People fail at every turn, Geoff doesn't seem so gentle anymore. In fact, he seems to think it's all Anna's fault. Will the novice parapsychologist discover the secret of the Inuit Shadow People? And have rumours of their shyness been greatly exaggerated?

Well, I hope you're all tempted to pick up a copy of Bite Me, now available in e-book and print formats.

Big Hugs,
Giselle Renarde

Quick Six Interview with D.B. Story

Quick Six Interview with: D.B. Story (aka DB_Story)

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

Simplest answer: I write the stories that I would like to be reading otherwise and just wasn't finding.

Longer answer: I write sweetly romantic, most often HEA romances that don't shy away from the sexual aspects of the beautiful characters involved in them. Because Sex is the true Final Frontier, this has moved me just enough out of the mainstream to need a publisher who really understands what my stories are all about. Fortunately, I have found just such a publisher.

Because I write Stories – not Stroke – if it were up to me I would give everything I write a heat level of delightful simmer. The only reason(s) in my mind for the required higher heat levels on some of my titles is that most of my stories involve humans in romantic relationships with robots (female, and occasionally male), mythological beings, paranormal encounters, unconventional sexualities (occasional GLBT+H/I), and fantasy creatures – all in exotic locations. As a result, while I clearly label all my work Adult 18+, I'd also give them all Heat Level 1 if that were allowed since Romance is Romance wherever you find it. While there are deeper themes in my work as well, it's presented through the romantic lens.

One thing I do require of my readers is that they have an imagination of their own. I'm not going to spell out every last second of every sexual encounter because less here is often more. What is perfect for one reader is completely out in left field for another. As such, I set the scene and let each reader fill in what works best for them afterwards. Although occasionally criticized for this, I'm more often praised for how well it works out.

But wait! You wrote "Hooker, Wife, for Life" and that only has normal human M/F protagonists in it doesn't it?

I must reply to that baseless allegation by pointing out that the beautiful prostitute with the heart of gold is one of our most endearing fantasies.

2. What are you reading right now?

"Illustrator CS for Dummies". I create my own bookcovers where possible in Photoshop and Illustrator and am trying to improve the Illustrator side of my skills. The Adobe Illustrator night class I've tried for at my local community college has now been cancelled twice out from underneath me for lack of enrolment so far.

3. I hear music in the background, what's playing?

My personal playlist of my favourite 453 songs, 90% of them from the 60's. There has never before been a group with the impact of The Beatles, and I don't see how there ever will be again.

4. Do you have a favorite naughty word?

Frak! (Battlestar Galactica)

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

Harsh language spoken loudly in anger, regardless of the words or phrases used, affects me the strongest.

6. Be honest: What are you snacking on?

72oz bag of Nestle Real Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels together with a 24 oz can of Mauna Loa Dry Roasted Macadamias with Sea Salt – both from Costco.

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

On Monday August 31, 2009 my newest title "Lisa's Tale – A Courtesy Suites Story" will be released to all of the main eBook vendors (except Sony, who my publisher just can't figure out how to get onto, and the new Barnes & Noble eBook store, which only carries my stories from the time of their purchase of Fictionwise). This is the first of a planned eventual 9 titles – most in print as well as eBook – in my fembot universe. If I am said to own any tiny sub-genre many of my readers have told me that it is this one. Other writer's have compared their own fembot stories as in the DB_Story Fembot Universe already.

You may find more information on all of my titles at:

http://excessica.com/index.php/search-by-author/db-story/

I've got to say, DB...I think "fembot" is my new favourite word. Reminds me of Bender from Futurama. It's right up there with "palimpsest," which they kept saying in the episode of Sherlock Holmes I just watched (The Golden Pince-Nez). I just about peed, I was so excited to hear it in conversation. Palimpsest! Also, I submit: "filigree, apogee, pedigree, perigee."

Thanks so much for the interview!

gigi

Bye Bye Ruthie!

I received sad news the other day.

It seems Ruthie's Club, one of my favourite erotica sites of all time, is closing down for the next little while, perhaps returning in 2010.



As a writer, I found Ruthie's Club very exciting to work with. Every story was expertly illustrated, which let me watch my erotica come to life. Each time Desdmona added one of my pieces to the schedule, I tingled with anticipation to see how the assigned artist would interpret my work visually.

I do hope Ruthie's Club will be off her back and putting out superb erotica once more in the new year. It was always one of those sites I could log on to knowing I would find quality erotica.

Kinky. Classy. Literate. Smut.

Giselle + Ruthie 4ever!

Hugs and Bright Blessings all around,
Giselle Renarde

Bite Me, Sexy Man!

There's a new paranormal MMF anthology on the way, and I want to share its majorly gorgeous cover art with you right away.


If there wasn't already a heat wave here in TO, this cover would certainly have me panting! Hot stuff, am I right?

Bite Me is a BBA/Torquere Press compilation of stories from some of your favourite authors (and me...LOL) and I believe the release date is scheduled for August 26, 2009, but I will certainly keep you updated and tell you a little bit about the story I've included in this antho when it comes out.

Release will be in e-book format and print. I may be an environmentalist, but I still think paper is sexy.

Sticky hugs,
Giselle Renarde

Let's get MOIST!

How do you react when you hear the word moist?

If it's anything like this guy, you're in the majority.

You know how I'm a huge fan of CBC Radio Two? Well, I was listening to the supremely cool Rich Terfry's show Drive last week, and he was talking about commonly-despised words. Apparently linguists have concluded the following are some of the most hated words...especially by women:

moist
panties
goose pimples
squat
cornucopia

Okay, panties I agree with. What a stupid word. But I'm kind of sad about moist. Why are women so opposed to moist? I spend most of my life moist! (Reading, writing, and watching porn has that impact) It's a useful word, along with juicy and wet. Seems to me the discomfort bred by this most-hated of all words stems from a sexual source. Are women uncomfortable with their own moisture? With the state of being moist? With the perception they might be moist at any given moment?

Am I saying moist too much?

Please, let me know why women hate this word. I don't understand the actual visceral reaction people have against it. Enlighten me!

My vote: moist, wet, juicy...all good words.

I've interviewed countless other erotic fiction authors on my blog, and I ask them all, "What's your favourite naughty word?" Seems to be a tie between "fuck" and "cock." I also ask, "Is there a word that makes you cringe?" A lot of authors say they can't stand the word "cunt." I guess it's a jarring word; I'm trying to reclaim it...like "dyke." My girlfriend hates the word "queer" but, again, I see that as a reclaimed word.

So, what do we think? What words do we love? What words do we hate?

Do tell!
Cheers,
Gigi

Pains, Trains, and Shimmering Nails

On Saturday morning, I walked home from the train station.

The two-hour walk was for old times' sake. It was one year ago that I took the train home from my Sweet's house outside the city after a whirlwind overnight adventure. The summer morning was cool and the air fresh--a rarity in a major metropolitan centre--so I chose to walk instead of taking the subway home, clinging to my memories of sleeping over at Sweet's house.

When I arrived home that day, I wrote a story called THIRD RAIL. If you've ever tried getting literary transgender erotica published in a fairly narrow marketplace (narrow when it comes to gender identity, I mean) you'll know how difficult it can be to get even really great work out there for all to read.



Well, boys and girls and everyone in between, today the fictionalized version of my overnight with Sweet is up and available at RUTHIE'S CLUB. I love Ruthie's Club! Like a picture book for grown ups! And the illustration by Dan Skinner does a great job in representing the emotion of the piece in addition to the eroticism. I just love his work.

So go read THIRD RAIL! After that, read my flash fiction LITTLE LAMB ON BAY STREET, a short short about lesbians playing in public (and in costumes!). Ruthie's Club is a membership site, so join up. It's worth it. And, by joining, you're helping to put kibble in my kitties' bowls, so you can feel extra good about that.

Bright Blessings,
Giselle Renarde

GENDER OUTLAWS: THE NEXT GENERATION

Hi All!
I'm very excited about this upcoming anthology, so I'm sharing the call for subs here at Donuts & Desires in hopes that some of my fellow allies and transgender readers (or should I say authors?) will join me in submitting a little something. Please have a read below.
Hugs!
Giselle Renarde

Call For Submissions
GENDER OUTLAWS: THE NEXT GENERATION
Kate Bornstein & S. Bear Bergman, eds

Deadline: 1 September 2009

In the fifteen years since the release of Gender Outlaw, transgender narratives have made their way into cultural locations from the margins to the mainstream and back again. Today’s trannies and other sex/gender radicals are writing a radically new world into being. GENDER OUTLAWS: THE NEXT GENERATION (Seal Press) will collect and contextualize the work of this generation’s most forward-thinking trans/genderqueer voices—new voices from the stage, on the streets, in the workplace, in the bedroom, and on the pages and websites of the world’s most respected mainstream news sources. Edited by that ol’ original Gender Outlaw herself, Kate Bornstein and writer, raconteur, and theater artist S. Bear Bergman, GENDER OUTLAWS: THE NEXT GENERATION will include essays, commentary, comic art and conversation from a diverse a group of trans-spectrum people who live and believe in barrier-breaking lives.

*What we’re looking for*

GENDER OUTLAWS: THE NEXT GENERATION wants to collect work that represents a quantum leap forward in thinking and talking about gender and the gender binary, in the same way Gender Outlaw did almost twenty years ago. So blow us away. Bring the smart, bring the sexy, blind us with science, break the gender barrier, shine a bright light (or a disco ball) on the whole gender situation. Tell us about your future, what you imagine, how you want things to go and what you (and your friends) intend to do about it. Think big.

We’ll look at whatever you have for us – essays, graphic art, interviews/conversations, haiku, rants – as long as you’re thinking smart and fresh about sex and gender (and being an outlaw, of course). We will feel especially keen about your work if it adds to or advances the conversation about gender (as distinct from simply reflecting it, or lamenting it).

People of any identity are encouraged to submit work. This means you – yes, you!

We intend to privilege non-normatively gendered/sexed voices in the book but will include all the good stuff we can, regardless of current identifiers of the author.

*The Details*

Deadline: Sept 1 (early submissions are encouraged). Submissions should be unpublished; query if you have a reprint that you think we’ll swoon for. While we hesitate to list a maximum, please query first for pieces over 4,000 words. If you have an idea and need help writing it out, contact us to discuss an interview-style piece or other accommodations.

Submit as a Word document or black/white JPEG (no files over 2MB). Please include a cover letter with a brief bio and full contact information (mailing address, phone number, pseudonym if appropriate) when you submit. Submissions without complete contact information will be deleted unread. Payment will be $50 and 2 copies of the book upon publication in Fall 2010. Contributors retain the rights to their pieces. Send your submission as an attachment to genderoutlawsnextgeneration@gmail.com.

~please repost lots and lots, as appropriate~

I'm Ba-a-a-a-ack and Happy Holiday!

Hi everybody!

I'm back from a very restful vacation--one week at the lake, one week at the girlfriend's house--and my cats have never been more affectionate. Whoever said cats don't miss you when you're a way is a dirty rotten liar. (Hugs to my sister for taking care of the hairball twins!)

Well, it's time to get back to writing, promoting, editing, revising, submitting, and all the good stuff an author has on her To Do list.

Bah!

It's so hard to get back into work mode after two weeks of barely looking in the direction of a computer screen. I spent most of this morning in front of the Mac with a pair of scissors in hand, trimming my split ends. After revising three pages of a manuscript due today, I called my mother and we engaged in an hour's worth of mutual procrastination. She had work she was trying not to do as well.

And, anyway, today is a holiday here in Canada. It's a weird non-mandatory holiday called:

• CIVIC HOLIDAY in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut

• NEW BRUNSWICK DAY in New Brunswick

• NATAL DAY in Nova Scotia and PEI

• SASKATCHEWAN DAY in Saskatchewan

• BRITISH COLUMBIA DAY in BC

With all those holidays going on today, why should I have to work? Right? Right..? Okay, I know what you're thinking: "Get to work you lazy bastard!" That's what I'm telling myself too. So, I'll quit procrastinating here with you and get writing.

Hope you enjoyed the mini-lesson in unofficial Canadian holidays!

Hugs,
Gigi