I’m proud to announce that my story, An Unfortunate Discharge Early in My Naval Career, has been selected for Best Sex Writing 2012!
I’m so pleased. The Best Sex Writing series is from Cleis Press and has been around for a few years. Rachel Kramer Bussel edits. I went to see her at Elliott Bay when she was promoting Best Sex Writing 2010 with Kerry Cohen and the amazing Janet Hardy.
Rachel is incredible.
As I remember it, she was feeling sick, but had showed up in the most amazing slinky black dress with these incredible red platform shoes and she slowly walked from the back of Elliott Bay to the lectern in those fabulous shoes – clipping, clopping – and we were all watching and she was just so poised and graceful and you could tell it was a hard night for her, but she was there, daintily dabbing her nose with a tissue, and looking so good, and so professional, and I thought: I must work with this woman. She is just amazing. If you try to friend her on Facebook, you get a little note from Facebook that says, Rachel Kramer Bussel has too many friends already. Fuckin’ A, baby. How awesome is that?
This year Susie Bright selected the stories. I’m so proud. I wonder if Rachel will organize a reading tour for this one, as she did with Kerry and Janet. Now that I realize how difficult it is to get the book stores to let you give a reading, I have new found respect for authors and editors who somehow find a way past the gate. I’ve been turned down by a few of the big stores already. Maybe working with Rachel I will finally get my heart’s desire.
Present Tense 
Congratulations! How wonderful.
Thank you, Shannon! I’m getting a kick out of thinking about myself as a Sex Writer. What an awesome new hat for me to try on.
Congratulations, Tim! Though I likely won’t buy the book. *blushes* That’s not your fault, though; I liked your story.
Thank you, Deanna!
In defense of the book, I really believe they’re coming at sex from a social and political place with this work. Of course, I say that and the next thing you know it comes out with totally hot, steamy stories. I know Rachel has promised to reveal the table of contents soon, so we’ll have to see. I’m so looking forward to it. I might just have to send you a copy, so you don’t have to buy it (kidding!). 🙂