Best Sex Writing 2012: The State of Today’s Sexual Culture
April 8, 2012 § 29 Comments
I’m going to nutshell it for you: sluts, politics, pleasure, religion, cash, queerness, STDs, youth, age, crime, violence, body image, history, lust, leather, blow jobs and F bombs. What else do you need to know?
In her introduction, Susie Bright aligned the curation of this anthology with the childhood fun of building a time capsule in a Tupperware bowl, to be buried for posterity. I can see that. There are pieces that exemplify our times. But there are also essays I believe will stand the test of time.
My favorites being To All the Butches I Loved between 1995 and 2005: An Open Letter about Selling Sex, Selling Out, and Soldiering On by Amber Dawn. And not just because we toured together for a month while performing with the Sex Workers Art Show back in 2004. (OMG… best tour mate ever!) But because Amber writes from her heart and with a perspective that is raw yet inviting. She’s easy to love.
I also love the warmth of Lynn Harris’ Dating with an STD. Gone were the scare tactics and judgments. Left behind were her words of kindness and notes on the realities of lives touched by STDs.
I was soaking in nostalgia as I read Abby Tallmer’s Losing the Meatpacking District: A Queer History of Leather Culture, as the ol’ NYC meatpacking district was once one of my beloved, gritty stomping grounds. (Where else could one chat up a transgender hooker and a blood splattered meat packer while wearing greasepaint? And that was just a normal course of my work day!)
I also enjoyed Rachel Kramer Bussel’s Penis Gagging, BDSM, and Rape Fantasy: The Truth about Kinky Sexting where she addresses the hotness of sexting and how, when taken out of context, lustful words can be twisted in the worst ways.
Selected and introduced by Susie Bright, edited by the very prolific Rachel Kramer Bussel, inside you’ll find this book to be a very thoughtful collection of essays on sex.
Leave a comment to this post (before 11:29pm (eastern time) on 4/8) and you are entered to win a copy of Best Sex Writing 2012! (Contest is over. CONGRATULATIONS to Heather! Much thanks to everyone who entered… there will be more contests. I promise. xo)
You might also enjoy: Books My Friends Have Written | Phone Sex Operators | Disaster Was My God: The Outlaw Life of Arthur Rimbaud
How can I lose? Even if I don’t win the book, I still get to read this blog!
Awww… xo
Awesome deal. Hope I win! I’ll check out your top-reviewed sex toys while I wait for the results, ha!
Good writing everywhere.
Not sure if it’s possible to follow a comment as fab as Tomio’s, but I think I have to throw my hat in the ring anyway!
Thank you for all that you do, Ducky…keep up the fab work!
How can I say no to that nutshell?
we are always interested in what you have to say. Carol and beth from Oh My sensuality shop
I want to win!!
Love the blog! Sounds like some awesome writing.
This book sounds wonderful…plus I’ll do anything Ducky tells me to do.
Since the day I met you, you inspired me to toss the taboo and educate myself and others to have healthier communication for a better sex life. I can’t wait to read the book and if I don’t win it the book needs to live on my book shelf. Thanks, Ducky.
Would LOVE to get this book
Hello bomb’shelles…
i hope i win…so i can sell it, and buy a starbucks tripple latte mocha expresso coffee drink
WIsh me luck!
I had a friend randomly draw a winner and HEATHER! IT’S YOU!!!! Please email your mailing address to me. ducky at duckydoolittl.com xo
Apparently I can’t figure out how to use your blog, because I couldn’t actually see if I was THE “Heather” but I AM(I figured out how to view the comments.. obviously ha)! And I’m excited.. and I sent you an email from “weather.hallin@gmail THANK YOOOU!! Can not wait!
Yup! It’s all YOU YOU YOU Heather! Got your email and your book is on it’s way! xo – Ducky
On my to read list. Thanks for the interest piquing review.
Ever since I went to the pop his rocket class I’ve been so much more open minded and been following your page. I would love to get a copy! Think this will help me expand on my lustful knowledge
Rachel’s work is always outstanding and I’m sure this will be no different.
Ducky you are an amazing role model. thank you!
Sounds like an excellent read. Would fit in nicely with my collection of erotica. I hope I win. Thanks for the opportunity, Ducky!
I hope I win, but either way, I’ll read this!
As a longtime fan of both Bussel and Bright, I’m sold on this anthology whether I win or not. What a great review!
The time mentioned on Twitter stated that I still have two more minutes to enter. Then again, Twitter might be off, regardless I’m taking a chance to see if I can still enter since I usually love everything from Cleis Press.
[...] Cow Girl: Dominatrix Mommy Blogger March 6: Lusty Lady March 7: Knob-Slobbing Feminism March 8: Lipstick Stains On Your Pillow (Ducky Doolittle) March 9: Susie Bright March 10: Donuts and Desires March 11: The Erotic Literary Salon March 12: [...]
Love the blog! Will buy the book if I don’t win it
Ducky, it’s Amber Dawn, thanks for the wonderful book review. And you were the awesome tour mate. You practically taught me how to be on stage. xoxo Much love.
Can’t wait to read it, great review!