Call for Submissions: True Sex Essay Anthology

Reposted with permission from Lusty Lady:

True sex essay anthology deadline extended to January 6th (earlier submissions get priority)

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so though I had so hoped to be done with this anthology by tomorrow, I'm still one third short on my word count. That means I'd love it if you'd spread the word (either en masse or to someone you know who has an amazing sex story they might want to share in writing). I do NOT need any stories about sex work, but I would love an essay by an asexual person and I'd also love an essay by a transgender person (essays don't have to necessarily be "about" those topics). Those are just two potential ideas on my editorial dream wishlist. The truth is, the essay I'm looking for is the one I don't yet know exists but that keeps me riveted, awed, amazed, and sure that my readers will be too. In other words, I'll know it when I see it.

Queries or questions? Email me at truesexantho at gmail.com - earlier submissions get priority and I'll be filling the anthology as I go. I will consider anything that comes in by December 6th, there will just be fewer spots available by then most likely. If you are waiting to hear back from me, I will get back to you as soon as I can, by the end of January at the latest. I have wanted to do this book since I first started hosted True Sex Confessions nights in 2006 at In The Flesh. If you want to know the type of essay I love, read "Silver Baling" by Stacey D'Erasmo in Best Sex Writing 2009 and "It's a Shame About Ray" by Kirk Read in Best Sex Writing 2010 (or any personal essay I've published in Best Sex Writing 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013. I hope it's not just a dream that never sees the light of day, and I have a feeling that this will be a wonderful book. Thanks!



Call for Submissions
True Sex essay anthology
Edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel
To be published by Cleis Press

Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel is looking for true (nonfiction) essays about your most powerful sexual experiences. The final book will feature a wide range of scenarios, settings, writing styles, ages, races, genders and sexual orientations. These should not be academic in tone or about theory, though there can be a political or serious element; I’m mainly looking for extremely personal, one of a kind essays focused around compelling sexual events in your life. I’m looking for your hottest sex, or the worst sex, or the kinkiest, or the funniest, or the meanest, or the most unexpected. Sex with a celebrity? Sex with someone forbidden? Sex you’ve never told anyone about? Sex on vacation you wouldn't have had at home? Sex on drugs? Group sex? Sex on camera? Sex you paid for or were paid for? Sex that surprised or confused you? Sex that changed your life? I want the story that most speaks to you about your sex life, either as a defining moment or simply one you’ve never been able to forget. No poetry. First or second person POV welcome. See the Best Sex Writing series and videos of true sex confessions from my former In The Flesh Reading Series for an idea of the types of essays I’m looking for. Please keep in mind that the more original and unique your essay, the better its chances. I want the story that only you can write told in a lively, compelling, can't-put-down way. Original essays will get priority, but I will consider reprints as long as you retain the rights; you MUST include the previous publication information with your submission.

Payment: Contributors will receive $100/essay and 2 copies of the anthology on publication. Contract is for one-time rights.

How to submit: Send only the final version of your proofread work along with your bio and mailing address. Include essay title and byline at top of first page. Send double spaced Times or Times New Roman 12 point black font Word document OR RTF of 1,500-3,500 word essay. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) required. Include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable), mailing address, and 50 word or less bio in the third person to truesexantho@gmail.com. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you’d like to be credited as. Cleis Press has final approval over the manuscript so you can expect a final answer by April 2013.

Deadline: January 6, 2012 (earlier submissions get priority)

The Political is Personal #IdleNoMore

Until now, I've been quiet about my heartfelt alliance with the Idle No More movement.

For those worldwide readers who may not be aware of the goings-on in Canada, I won't paraphrase.  Instead, here's a quote from the mission statement from the Idle No More website:

Idle No More calls on all people to join in a revolution which honors and fulfills Indigenous sovereignty which protects the land and water. Colonization continues through attacks to Indigenous rights and damage to the land and water. We must repair these violations, live the spirit and intent of the treaty relationship, work towards justice in action, and protect Mother Earth.

You can read more here: http://idlenomore1.blogspot.ca/p/blog-page_11.html

As you may or may not know, Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence is well into a hunger strike our Prime Minister Stephen Harper has chosen to ignore. All she's asking is to meet with the PM, the governor general (who acts as the Queen's representative here in Canada), and Ontario's Premier, to discuss Aboriginals affairs, treaty matters, and environmental issues.

They are ignoring her requests for a meeting.

There are others around the country who are now fasting in solidarity, including 10 women in Regina, who began their hunger strike yesterday and will fast, I believe, until December 31st.

Today I'm joining those women, fasting in alliance and solidarity with the Idle No More movement. (Hello from Toronto!)

I actually didn't want to blog about this matter. I just wanted to do it.  The only person I'd planned on telling was my girlfriend, who expressed her full support for the cause, but worries about my health.  To be honest, I've been suffering blood loss and anemia lately due to a medical concern.  Not eating probably isn't the best idea, but this is something I need to do, personally.

The reason I'm telling you about it is that my personal reasons for the fast are intensely political, so if I don't come out and explain what I'm doing and why, it has no political bearing beyond my own mind.

Stephen Harper does not speak for me.  I never voted for him, and his weighty silence does not carry my voice.  I stand in solidarity and alliance with the Idle No More movement, and I urge the Prime Minister, Premier, and Governor General to meet with Chief Theresa.

That's my voice.  I'm speaking with my hunger.

Peace,
Giselle

Festive Frenzy ~ La Posada

Title: La Posada
Author: Kate Roman
Genre: M/M

Blurb:

Twenty-one-year-old Clay Garcia is obligated to take part in the posadas, his family's traditional Mexican Christmas celebration. But while Clay's spirit is willing, his flesh dreams of the return of his older ranch hand lover. On December 23rd, the eighth of nine nights of festivities, the wise man returns, and Clay finally has something to celebrate. Now if only he can keep his family from finding out…

2nd electronic edition, originally published by Dreamspinner.

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_108&products_id=3766

Festive Frenzy ~ Wrapped Up With Tinsel

Title: Wrapped Up With Tinsel
Author: Kanata Pierre
Genre: M/M

Blurb:

Fifty years ago, “Nick” vowed never to be alone on Christmas Night again after Mrs. Claus left him. He dieted, shaved, and dyed his hair and, with his charm and appeal, made his way through the naughty list. Now, Nick finds himself alone on Christmas Night, Ms. “I-Starred-in-Three-Movies-Last-Year” cancelling their date at the last moment.

Tinsel, Nick’s assistant elf, struggles to find Santa a date and ignores calls from his unfaithful gift wrapper of an ex, prompting Nick to invite Tinsel to an impromptu Christmas dinner. Amidst burgers and merlot, they enjoy each other’s company and begin to wonder if there’s more to their relationship than boss and subordinate.

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_108&products_id=3768

#SixSunday Teaser from Sugar Bush

It's getting close to Chriiiiiiistmaaaaaaas. Had you noticed? Perhaps by the number of new Christmas stories on the market?

Every year I put out at least a couple new holiday releases.  This year, one of those is a lesbian BDSM short called Sugar Bush, available now from Torquere Press.

Six Sentences from Sugar Bush:

The vines feel like plastic cords around my ankles and wrists.  They’re tight, and tighter when I struggle, but that doesn’t stop me writhing against them.

Nanaate laughs, “I haven’t even started, and already you’re going crazy?”

Her eyes blaze in the firelight.  She wants to burn me.  She can’t wait.

If you like lesbian kink, give Sugar Bush a go:


Get Sugar Bush from Torquere: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_108&products_id=3767
All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-sugarbush-1026862-149.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Bush-ebook/dp/B00AQNFVTQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1355982115&sr=1-1&keywords=sugar+bush
Rainbow eBooks (save 30%): http://www.rainbowebooks.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=9764

New Vampire Anthology! Coming Together: In Vein

Is something missing from your holiday season?

Did you say yes?

Did you say VAMPIRES?

Good.  Let's proceed.

An amazing new anthology just hit the market.  Coming Together: In Vein is full of vampire stories by some of the best erotic writers in the business. And me. (Is that joke getting old?)

And the best part?  All proceeds from the sales of Coming Together: In Vein go to Médecins Sans Frontières.  I submitted my lesbian knife play story "Cat" (which appears in Best Lesbian Erotica 2012 as "Blood Lust") so long ago I'd completely forgotten which organization would benefit from this particular collection.

As a Canadian, MSF (Doctors Without Borders) is particularly close to my heart. They do amazing work all around the world, and when you buy Coming Together: In Vein, not only do you support this valiant organization, but you get to read an amazing erotic anthology!

Do you love the undead? Coming Together: In Vein features the crème de la crème of vampire-themed erotica and erotic romance.

Buy Now from All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-comingtogetherinvein-1028715-139.html
or in print from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Coming-Together-Vein-Lisabet-Sarai/dp/1479125555/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356116259&sr=8-1&keywords=coming+together+in+vein

Festive Frenzy ~ Merry Christmas?

Title: Merry Christmas?
Author: Raven de Hart
Genre: M/M

Blurb:
It’s Christmas Eve, and Skyy has one thing on his mind: sleep. But when he gets in the car after work, he finds a gift someone left for him. It’s just a note, but that is not by any stretch all there is. That note is just the first step in a long path to his merry Christmas.

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_108&products_id=3759

Festive Frenzy ~ Adding to the Collection, A Roughstock Holiday Story

Title: Adding to the Collection, A Roughstock Holiday Story
Author: BA Tortuga
Genre: M/M Cowboy

Blurb:
Rancher and homebody Derrick loves going to the bullriding finals in Reno, especially when he gets to see his favorite rider, Stone. This year he gets way more up close and personal with Stone than he ever expects, and all of his fantasies come true.
After Reno, though, Stone has nowhere to go for Christmas, so he shows up at Derrick’s ranch, knowing there’s something about Derrick that makes him think of settling down. Will Derrick panic and send Stone away, or will he had the rodeo cowboy to his collection?

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_85&products_id=3765

Festive Frenzy ~ The Secret to a Perfect Latke

Title: The Secret to a Perfect Latke
Author: Foxglove Lee
Genre: LGBT YA

Blurb:
Noah has never been on TV before, but he dreams of having his own cooking show one day. When he's asked to help a gourmet chef prepare latkes for a Hanukkah segment on the Sunny and The Bear show, his family is proud but suspicious. Sunny and The Bear is a "lifestyle" show that's popular among straight women, but it's hosted by gay men. What's more, the guests on this show have an uncanny tendency to come out of the closet live on national television...

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=83&products_id=3761

Festive Frenzy ~ Wicked Gift

Title: Wicked Gift
Author: Sean Michael
Genre: M/M BDSM

Blurb:
Alec has the perfect gift for his lover Kono this year -- his best friend Swan.
Kono has a lot of fantasies about being a submissive, while Alec likes to watch and Swan is the best Dom he knows, so a week together fulfilling Kono's fantasies seems like just the ticket.
Of course, he hasn't taken into account that maybe there are stronger feelings at play here between all of them. Will these three men turn out to be exactly what they each need for Christmas this year?

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_85&products_id=3764

Festive Frenzy ~ A Mistress' Christmas

Title: A Mistress' Christmas
Author: Giselle Renarde
Genre: Adultery Erotica/Flash Fiction

Blurb:

As a career-Mistress, Giselle knows very well how hard it is to find a good Christmas gift for a married man. She can't buy him anything meaningful—where would he put it? Besides, she isn’t even sure how much Winston really cares about her. He doesn't seem terribly invested in their relationship. Just when Giselle convinces herself finding him a gift of consequence isn't worth worrying about, Winston surprises her with a Christmas present both magnificent and heart-felt.

Buy Link: http://www.loveyoudivine.com/index.php?main_page=document_product_info&cPath=2&products_id=573&zenid=040fd7da815f21d89a78ba7c81d3626e

Brand New FREE Christmas Story, and a challenge...

Despite the 4 million items on my To Do list, I couldn't resist the writing challenge Sommer Marsden posted on her blog today. Read about it here: http://sommermarsden.blogspot.ca/2012/12/just-for-fun-first-unapologetic-fiction.html

In short, she dares writers to create a story that incorporates the following words:

tinsel, balls, carpet, fuzzy, wind, firetruck

So here's mine.  I'm revisiting my roots in this one.  I have a secret love of unhappy endings.  Oops... maybe I've said too much.  Oh well, it's a very short story. Check it out:

Christmas Cat Toy

by Giselle Renarde

 

“So… why are you doing this?” he asked as I hung strands of tinsel over his naked cock.

“Oh, baby.”  I smiled up at him.  “You’ll see.”

I’d undressed Kurt methodically, building suspense.  He was already rock hard by the time I’d slipped his pyjama pants down his muscular thighs.  His erection begged to be sucked.  I licked my lips as his cockhead pumped out sweet pearls of precum.  Part of me wanted to just damn well do it, but I was a man with a plan.  Well, a woman with a plan.

“Do you think it needs more tinsel?” I asked, tracing my fingers through the fuzzy ginger hair on his balls.

He hissed and stood up perfectly straight.  “I don’t know, hon.  I guess so.”

I cupped his balls gently, and then I squeezed.  I wasn’t so gentle with the squeezing.  He arched abruptly, then stumbled until his back me the wall.  The carpet burned my knees as I followed, but I refused to release my hold on him.

“God, you’re killing me,” he whimpered.  The strain in his voice made me grin.  “I’m gonna come so fast when you swallow my dick.”

I chuckled without meaning to.  “Oh yeah?”

“Oh yeah…”

Letting go of his balls, I reached back to the Christmas tree.  I needed something with a bell on it… something with a bell… ah!  The little golden firetruck.  It jingled when you shook it.  Perfect.

The ornament hooks we used were wire coated with soft green plastic.  I strung a few together like a festive daisy chain, then circled it around Kurt’s thick erection.  He moaned, though I’d barely touched him.  Maybe the weight of the firetruck was enough to get him excited.

“That looks just about perfect,” I said, sitting back to admire my handiwork.

“Perfect… for what?”  He waggled his eyebrows.  I knew what he was expecting.

He wasn’t going to get it.

Leaning forward, I blew on my creation.  The hanging tinsel waved in the warm wind of my breath, and the firetruck jingled just a little.

Kurt groaned, and then laughed.  “Hey, that got the cats’ attention.”

I turned to see four little cats’ eyes peeking through the slats in the plastic room divider we’d put up to keep our pussies away from the tree.  They were certainly interested.

“Let’s talk about this book.”  I plucked up the paperback Kurt had given me for Christmas.

“Yeah, okay.”  He was starting to look nervous now.  Good.  “Sommer Marsden—you like her, right?”

“Oh, I do.  She’s my favourite author.”

I looked at him expectantly, but he didn’t seem to get it.  He just said, “I hope you haven’t read it already.”

“Oh, but I have read it, baby.”

He was sweating.  Actually sweating!  “That’s too bad.”

“Yeah.”  I opened up the front cover and showed him the inscription.  “See, here’s the thing: this is the book I gave you last year.  See?  These characters reminded me so much of us. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Merry Christmas, blah blah blah.  I wrote that. Last Christmas.  You regifted my present right back to me.  Smooth move.”

Kurt usually had an excuse for everything, but now his mouth moved silently, open and closed like a goldfish.

Rising from beneath the tree, I walked over to the room divider and flipped the safety latch.  The cats were sharpening their claws, their eyes fixed on Kurt’s jingling crotch.

“Any last words?” I asked.

“I… it was… I guess…”  He started backing away along the wall, but that just made matters worse.  His cock tinsel shimmered against the Christmas tree lights.  The cats’ pupils were dilated to the max. They were ready to pounce.

Kurt could never just say I’m sorry.  So I opened the gate, and the cats sprung into action…

The End

Who ever said Christmas stories had to be happy?

Now, there's still time to participate in Sommer's writing challenge. Go here for info: http://sommermarsden.blogspot.ca/2012/12/just-for-fun-first-unapologetic-fiction.html?spref=tw

Festive Frenzy ~ 100 Days of Christmas

Title: 100 Days to Christmas
Author: Delilah Storm
Genre: M/M

Blurb:
After nearly a year of online video chatting and text messaging, Jackson and Steve are finally going to meet in person. Jackson is a successful New York City lawyer. Steve owns a popular bakery called Sweet Cheeks, in San Diego – and with that bakery comes a touch of a dough boy body. Steve is understandably nervous and desperate to make a good impression on the man he’s fallen in love with, who has only seen him through a computer screen. Steve has a hundred days to Christmas to become the perfect package he believes Jackson wants to unwrap, over and over again. But can a clumsy chocolate fanatic more interested in feeding his personal trainer chocolate éclairs than in doing push-ups manage to stay the course?

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_91&products_id=3762

Festive Frenzy ~ On Top of the World

Title: On Top of the World
Author: G.R. Richards
Genre: M/M

Blurb:

Brett's got the world's noisiest neighbors. Day and night, it's loud music and raucous parties. Maybe Brett's getting old, but he just wants to come home after Christmas shopping, wrap his gifts, and watch a made-for-TV holiday movie in peace. Is that too much to ask? Apparently so, because the music coming from the apartment upstairs is so loud Brett escapes to the cone of silence that is the stairwell. When he climbs up to the rooftop, he's surprised to find... no, it couldn’t be! Santa?

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_108&products_id=3760

Festive Frenzy ~ Santa's Naughty Helper

Title: Santa's Naughty Helper
Author: Ari McKay
Genre: M/M

Blurb:
When shy attorney Kevin Anderson draws Erik Wilson, his hunky co-worker, in their office’s secret gift exchange, he realizes this might be just the opportunity he needs to make Erik notice him. Erik seems to enjoy the game of twelve days of naughty gifts, but can Kevin overcome his fear of rejection enough to go through with his plan and offer himself to Erik on Christmas Eve?

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_91&products_id=3763

Evernight Holiday Blog Hop

Welcome to the Evernight Holiday Blog Hop!
 

We love the holidays, we love making our readers happy and we love giving away swag. What better way to do that than to hold a blog hop?

Here's how it works... the more blogs you hop to (shown below) the more chance you have of winning prizes. Each site on the hop is offering a prize and Evernight is offering an iPad 2 as the grand prize! To be in with a chance of winning the site prize simply follow the blog you're visiting and leave a comment which includes your email address. Each entry on each blog is then counted towards the grand prize draw. The more entries you have, the better your chance of winning that iPad 2! You also get extra points for liking the Evernight Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/evernightpublishing. Just make sure you let us know in the comments that you've done so.
 
Happy hopping!

I happen to love Evernight's anthologies, and I'd like to highlight a couple of KINKY Christmas collections my work appears in.

Vanilla-Free Christmas ~ contains my MMF menage story "Three in a Tub:"

This Christmas, Cathy's elderly mother is coming to stay... and staying forever. Cathy's not delighted that her mother is moving in. How is she going to hide her romantic relationship with Jeremy, the young tenant in her basement suite? In preparation of her mother's arrival, Cathy brings in sexy Vance to install a new bathtub that will be easy for her mother to use. She never imagined Jeremy and Vance would team up to give her the gift of a lifetime!

And my story's only one of NINE in this 70,000-word anthology.

If you're interested, get your copy today from Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/vanilla-free-christmas/

Or All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-vanillafreechristmas-1011004-147.html

Vanilla-Free Christmas: Manlove Edition ~ contains my romantic comedy "Enough About Earl:"

This Christmas, good will isn’t all these sexy men are going to get…

Ménage loving and chance encounters will make the holidays merry and bright and hot enough to keep out the cold. From a romp in Santa’s candy house to a dinner party where chains and collars are required attire, Christmas for these naughty men is going to be anything but vanilla.

Be Warned: m/m sex, m/m/m ménage sex, BDSM, sex toys, rimming

~5 Author Kink Anthology~
Boughs of Love by Rebecca Brochu
Dressed for Dinner by Pelaam
Tied with a Bow by Nicola Cameron
Enough About Earl by Giselle Renarde
The Christmas Cookies by Troy Storm  

Even though this antho isn't all about the cutesy, "Enough About Earl" is actually kind of an adorable romantic comedy:

Cam is sick of hearing about Earl, Earl, Earl from his best friend Jodee. Jodee talks about this coworker so often Cam wonders if she's about to dump him for another gay BFF. When they arrive at her office Christmas party, he finally gets to meet this Earl he's heard so much about, and he's surprised that, actually, Earl's not to bad. Who'd have thought two rivals for Jodee's friendship would end up gettin' it on right there at the office party?

Vanilla-Free Christmas: Manlove Edition is now available from Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/vanilla-free-christmas-manlove-edition/

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-vanillafreechristmasmanloveedition-1011107-145.html

You know what I just realized? I still have one e-copy each of two friends-to-lovers anthologies published by Evernight that I can give away.  One is Lover Unexpected: Manlove Edition, and the other is Lover Unexpected: Sappho Edition.  If you'd like to win one of these two collections, mention the title in your comment.

Happy Holidays!
Giselle Renarde