Rachel Kramer Bussel describes herself as a "people person," and nothing could be a better description -- there's no one more perfectly adapted for showcasing the fount of creativity that is today's world of literary erotica. Each month, Bussel has been hosting the In the Flesh Erotic Reading Series at Manhattan's Happy Endings Lounge, and by all accounts the series just keeps getting better and better.
In March, Bussel will really be outdoing herself -- In the Flesh features a group of writers who will knock your socks off. Literally. You think I'm joking -- but I know many people who've been inspired to remove at least one item of clothing during a reading by any one of these kickass writers. To start with: Laura Antoniou's following within the BDSM community is well nigh fanatical; her Marketplace series remains, without a doubt, one of a small handful of classics in modern BDSM erotica. If Laura's not enough to tempt you, you'll surely be seduced by the promise of the prolific Maxim Jakubowski, visiting from London. Maxim has edited a mind-boggling array of anthologies in virtually every field; he was an important force in the development of the new British Noir movement -- Ian Rankin fans take note! -- and is probably best known in the US as the editor of the Mammoth Book of Erotica series -- now in its 13th volume. Though he travels widely, Maxim almost never performs publicly in the US, so this is a chance not to be missed. Last but oh-so-far from least is widely-anthologized erotica author Debra Hyde, famous for her blog Pursed Lips, which was, back in the day, one of the very first sex blogs in existence, and has recently expanded into the podcast format.
Bussel herself will also be reading; check out her profile, also in this very issue of Eros Zine. She will be reading her story "Taking it All" from the new anthology Aqua Erotica 2.
Come on down, have a drink, and hear some of the best smut in the world today. What's more, if you can't make it, you can always check out the audio and video of February's event. This is one of the hottest literary events in the NY scene -- be sure you don't miss it!