Archive for Sex+ Diversion
Passion, Recitation, and Celebration in New York
Photo by Laura Boyd
Left to right: Sarah MacLean, Donna George Storey, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Emerald (me), Monica Day
So I’m now finally getting around to blogging about the reading for Passion in New York, which was organized by Rachel Kramer Bussel (Passion‘s editor) and a truly delightful time. Donna George Storey, one of my favorite writers and people, was there all the way from Berkeley, California, and, of course, it was such a treat to see her. She sent me the picture below that she requested be taken of us be taken prior to the reading (I apologize that I don’t remember who the actual photographer of it was!)—I love that there is a poster above us that says, “Beautiful Children.” ; ) (It may be necessary to click on and enlarge the photo to see this clearly.)
Following the reading, we went to a lovely restaurant to celebrate Rachel’s 35th birthday, which was the day before; I found it a fabulous time with magnificent food and even more magnificent company, and I’m so glad I got the chance to be there to celebrate with her!
Lastly, the reading was videotaped, and the video of my reading is now available and embedded below. I myself feel it’s hard to hear me—there was no microphone, and I think I forgot to be conscious of projecting accordingly, lol. ; ) Regardless, here it is (video of the other readers of the evening may be seen as well at Rachel’s YouTube channel):
Love,
Emerald
-OneRepublic “Good Life”
December’s Philadelphia Erotic Literary Salon!
I am very excited to be scheduled to be December’s featured reader at the Philadephia Erotic Literary Salon on Tuesday, December 21! The official press release is here.
The Salon’s gracious host, Susana Mayer, invited me last week to come up to November’s Salon as well, where I got to see Jeremy Edwards and Robin Sampson (Erobintica) as the featured readers for November. They were both (deservedly) huge hits, and it was an honor and pleasure to get to be there to see them! (Note: Jeremy has posted videos of his delightful readings here.) I did a five-minute reading (an edited version of “Play for Me”) at the mic as an audience member, and I very much look forward to returning to the Salon next month. Big thanks to Susana for inviting me to do so, and to Jeremy for affording our introduction. : )
So, if you’re in the Philadelphia area or will be on December 21 and would like to come join us, here are the details:
What: The Erotic Literary Salon
Where: TIME (The Bohemian Absinthe Lounge), 1315 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
When: Tuesday, December 21 @ 8:00 p.m. (doors open 7:30)
Admission: $10 ($8 senior and student admission)
I’ll be reading “Power over Power,” my story from Please, Sir: Erotic Stories of Female Submission edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. : )
Love,
Emerald
I wanted him to throw me down, ram his cock into me and fuck me hard, take full control of me, of him, of—everything. I tried to wiggle impatiently and realized that despite the calmness of his movements, the grip he had on me was like a clothespin on tissue paper. I felt his breath on my ear, steady in comparison to my almost frantic panting. Slowly he moved his hand from my breasts to the back of my neck again, sliding up through my hair and gripping into a fist. I caught my breath.
-from “Power over Power”
Philadelphia Tonight!
Even though I’m just back from my trip to New York for the Passion reading, I am headed right back to the train station today and excited to be attending The Erotic Literary Salon this evening to see Jeremy Edwards and Robin Elizabeth Sampson/Erobintica as the feature readers!
Jeremy will be reading from his comedic erotic novel Rock My Socks Off, which I, given how behind I am on my reading list, am still in the middle of reading (and laughing out loud at!). Robin will be reading a selection of her erotic poetry, including her two poems that were finalists at the 2010 Seattle Erotic Art Festival’s Literary Art Showcase. (I just recommended one of them a few weeks ago.)
I am delighted by the opportunity to support Jeremy and Robin tonight, and I will also be taking the opportunity to read as an audience member (audience members get the chance to read for five-minute increments). In addition, I am honored that The Erotic Literary Salon’s founder and host, Susana Mayer, has invited me to appear at next month’s Salon as the featured reader. More on that to come—in the meantime, if you’re in Philadelphia tonight and want to come out and see us, you can find all the detailshere!
Love,
Emerald
NYC: Come Out Tonight for Passion!
This is just a quick reminder (has to be because I’m running behind already today!) that I’m reading tonight at Word bookstore in Brooklyn for Rachel Kramer Bussel’s Passion anthology reading! The event is from 7:00 to 8:30, and we’ll be not only reading from Passion but also helping Rachel celebrate her 35th birthday, which was yesterday!
If you’re in the area, we’d love to see you there! : )
Love,
Emerald
As we entered the formalwear store I held back a groan, suddenly realizing that if there was one thing I didn’t need the temptation of seeing Hayden in right now, it was a tuxedo. I looked around and tried to quell the simmering in my stomach as Sarah talked to the salesperson. After a brief interim of vest and tie collecting, Shawn and Hayden disappeared down the hallway to the changing rooms.
Moments later they both emerged in tuxedoes, and my insides melted a little bit.
-from “If,” my story in Passion
A Big Thank You to Couple #1!
I was of course excited to see my story referenced as such in a complimentary way, but I felt truly and deeply heartened to see what the contributor from Couple #1 actually said about the reading of it. The implication seems to be that reading “Shift Change” ignited an enjoyable sexual encounter between this couple, and when I read that I was practically giddy. Especially since she indicates that it is “rare” for them, to have contributed as such, well…pretty much represents a significant part of why I (and a number of other erotica writers, I have had the impression) do what I (/we) do.
Love,
Emerald
-Eric Carmen “Hungry Eyes”
One Week Until Passion Reading and Happy (Belated) Halloween!
This year for Halloween, I dressed as the Queen of Hearts. Depending on how one interprets the costume—I did so as supportive of and honoring the heart; thus it seems romance could fit in there somewhere ; )—it seemed an appropriate prelude to the upcoming reading! So, amongst my slate of Halloween pictures this year, I included the one above posing with the book in anticipation of this event. : ) I’m very much looking forward to a heart-filled evening next Thursday, November 11, as I read from my story “If” in Passion with the fabulous lineup of other authors editor Rachel Kramer Bussel has scheduled to read!
As I’ve already mentioned, the reading will be the day after Rachel’s 35th birthday, so it is in part a celebration as such! There will be free cupcakes, and in addition to Rachel and myself, Passion contributors Donna George Storey and Monica Day and historical romance author Sara MacLean will be reading!
The event is at Word bookstore in Brooklyn (126 Franklin Avenue) next Thursday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m. If you’re in the area, we’d love to see you there! : )
Love,
Emerald
“You gave me the answer, I knew right from the start…they say that love’s a gamble, but I got the Queen of Hearts…”
-Whitesnake “Queen of Hearts”
Here and There
I am honored to be the guest blogger today at the magnificent Oh Get A Grip!. The topic for this week is Back to Square One; in my post, “Here,” I discuss my experiences around the MFA creative writing program I attended several years ago.
“Here” is up at Oh Get A Grip! now—big thanks to C. Sanchez-Garcia for inviting me to be the guest blogger this week!
Love,
Emerald
It was late summer 2002. I had packed up my apartment in the Washington, DC, area, where I had just acquired my master’s degree in the field of politics, and was preparing for the cross-country drive to Washington state. I had been accepted into a Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing there and would be starting in just a few weeks. I was thrilled. Finally, creative writing was going to be not only one of my utmost loves but a “legitimate” responsibility as well.
-from “Here” at Oh Get A Grip!
Passion Reading November 11 in New York City!
I am very excited to be participating in a reading for Rachel Kramer Bussel‘s forthcoming anthology Passion: Erotic Romance for Women in New York City on Thursday, November 11! Since that is the day after Rachel’s 35th birthday, the event will be in part a celebration thereof! I am really looking forward to seeing Rachel, celebrating her birthday, having (free!) cupcakes, and reading with fellow authors from Passion!
Emerald
With my eyes closed, body pressed against the mattress, I basked in the heavy warmth of Chris’s weight and his cock sliding in and out of me. I gripped his fingers as he slid his hands over mine on the pillow, and he squeezed back before letting go to slide one hand under my body. I came silently and quickly, the only outward indications the audible quickening of my breath and the tensed pressure of my body against the mattress and Chris’s fingers.
-from “If,” forthcoming in Passion and from which I will be reading at Word on November 11
