June 17, 2011 – PIRATES Cyber Launch Party – Now in Progress!

Today at AuthorIsland’s Cyber Launch Party blog, Nobilis Reed will be responding to questions and comments about PIRATES, the second book in The Orgone Chronicles!

The party started at 10 a.m. EST and lasts all day/night, so stop by and leave a comment. Those who do enter a drawing to win a copy of PIRATES!

The Cougar Book – interview with Jolene Hui

This just in! Authors can be very busy working on various projects, but Jolene Hui has managed to take time and talk about her story, “Shelly’s Mom” and The Cougar Book.

What made you decide to submit your work for inclusion in The Cougar Book?

I’d worked with Jolie du Pre before and I know she turns out a quality product and is passionate about her work. I knew if I was accepted into the anthology I would be housed in between some very talented writers. Plus, I think it’s very exciting that it’s FINALLY socially acceptable for older women to have sex with younger men.

Tell us about your story. Give us a little teaser.

My story, “Shelly’s Mom,” is based on my mother who has been known to get a little cougar action. She has also been known to do a little partying with her children. Being a young mother, it kind of made sense for her. In the story, Helen is a mother who meets a hot surfer friend of her daughter and hits it off with him (and hits it with him, of course).

Here’s a very small taste:

I closed the door and silently led him to the couch. His hands slid behind my back. His lips went to my neck. His warmth rubbed off on me through his soft, thin, blue t-shirt. I could feel his muscles rubbing against my breasts. I tightened my arms around his shoulders and returned the kiss to his neck.

“Is anyone here?” he whispered.

“Just you and me,” I answered.

We slid to the couch, kissing furiously. I’d been thinking about him since our encounter that night in the garage. He seemed like he’d been thinking about it too.

I was glad I had a reclusive urge and not left my curtains open this morning. Probably better that I didn’t broadcast my sex just yet.

I wanted to feel exactly what he was packing. I slid my hand to his crotch and felt the stiff mass. He let out a little moan and pulled away from kissing me.

“Well you don’t mess around, do you?” he said with a pleased look on his face.

Could you see yourself being a cougar?

Although I find myself attracted to men of any age – I tend to like to partner up with men closer to my age. However, I should tell myself, “Never say never!” I’m not sure what I’m going to want in ten years. I’m still too young to be considered one, and I don’t have a crystal ball, unfortunately.

Does your writing turn you on?

This is a silly question. Of course it does! I love writing erotic fiction because it turns me, and hopefully others, on – that’s the point, right?

Your birthday has been declared a national holiday. How do you want people to celebrate?

I want people to eat their favorite meals and have sex with their lover(s). Great food and great sex are essential to a happy and satisfying life.

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can only have one book, one album/CD, and one person with you—what would they be?

The Giver by Lois Lowry, Steely Dan’s Gaucho, and my partner in life – I’d be way too lonely without him. In fact, I could do without the others as long as he’s with me.

What’s your vice?

Anything with sugar. My favorite thing, though, is Sprinkles Cupcakes. They kill me.

Where can we find you on the Web? Do you have a website or blog(s)? Any social networks?

I have a website and a blog. My website needs to be updated so you might not want to go there. The blog is a good place to go since I typically report news there. I’m hoping to revamp it when I have some time over the summer.

http://jolenehui.blogspot.com/

The Cougar Book – interview with Sascha Illyvich

For the last month on the Logical-Lust blog we have had interviews from the authors of The Cougar Book, edited by Jolie du Pre. Today we are wrapping up the series with Sascha Illyvich, author of “Whiskey Spread.”

Sascha Illyvich is the type of man your mother warned you about, but you’re drawn to him anyway. This is good because Sascha will teach you things and take you places. Not only that–he’s everywhere–in print, online, on the radio, and right now, he’s on the Logical-Lust blog.

What made you decide to submit your work for inclusion in The Cougar Book?

Jolie du Pre is a leading erotica author and to be in an anthology with one of my students is an honour.

Tell us about your story. Give us a little teaser.

Morgan, owner of a famous cigar bar in San Francisco, has it for one of her younger regulars and vows to seduce him through a private scotch tasting.

Could you succumb to a cougar?

All day. In fact, are you a cougar? If so, ask Jolie for my home address… and then get here. *wicked grins* Come here. No really. Come here. Sit on my lap. I wear a kilt…

Does your writing turn you on?

Yes. Doesn’t everyone’s?

The Cougar Book release is in print and ebook formats. With ebook readers becoming more and more popular, what are your views on ebooks and their effect on the publishing industry?

I’ve been in ebooks for ten years. You tell me.

What do you find difficult about writing? What comes easy for you?

Sobriety is the hardest part about writing. Also, having to remind myself that it’s not complex character plots that drive a story, but a story that can accommodate the widest range of readers – that’s what sells. Easy parts about writing? The actual writing most of the time.

Your birthday has been declared a national holiday. How do you want people to celebrate?

Everyone should go light up a cigar and pour themselves a drink or six.

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can only have one book, one album/CD, and one person with you—what would they be?

One book – The Cougar Book anthology of course! One CD: Tough call. Probably…Alpha or Chapter VII by Sevendust. Person: My soul mate.

What are you working on now? Do you have a current release or a new release coming soon?

Lots of things. A motivational book on success, a faery/wolf BDSM male dominant story involving hot sex and cyberpunk themes, and getting an Agent.

Where can we find you on the Web? Do you have a website or blog(s)? Any social networks?

Twitter: twitter.com/saschaillyvich
Web: www.saschaillyvich.com
WriteSEX – www.writesex.net – a blog defining erotica for authors of all genres
Radio Dentata – Host of the UnNamed Romance Show – www.radiodentata.com
Secret Whispers – www.secretwhispers.com (it’s bisexual erotica)

COUGAR ON THE PROWL! Get your copy of THE COUGAR BOOK now!

The Cougar Book – interview with Jolie du Pre

All this month on the Logical-Lust blog we have had interviews from the authors of The Cougar Book, edited by Jolie du Pre. Today, we hear from Jolie herself as she talks about her inspiration for The Cougar Book and what went into creating the anthology.

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Am I a Cougar? I’m certainly old enough. Cougar women are typically 40 and over, and I’m in my 40′s. As a woman who has been married for over 20 years, I’m not in the market for a younger man. However, if I weren’t married I wouldn’t be opposed to it.

I consider myself young at heart, as well as physically young. Life doesn’t end at 40. Indeed, for some it’s the beginning of a new life. At 40, you are more aware of you who are and of what you want. If you’ve had children, chances are those children are teenagers or out of the house. This is the time when many women, who have spent the earlier part of their lives taking care of others, begin to take care of themselves. This may be the part of your life when you start an exercise program or when you finally get the courage to wear an item of clothing that you’ve avoided, like that short skirt!

Although I don’t live my life as a Cougar, I have a huge appreciation for Cougars. That’s the reason why I decided to pitch to Logical-Lust, The Cougar Book. I enjoyed editing Swing: Adventures in Swinging by Today’s Top Erotica Writers and I enjoyed working with Logical-Lust. Therefore, I knew that if Logical-Lust accepted my idea, The Cougar Book would be a great collection. And it is. The Cougar Book contains 23 stories about older women with younger men, and they are all beautifully written.

What bothered me most about putting this collection together was the amount of stories I had to reject, including some from those who submitted to Swing. I could only accept 23, and it was a tough decision. In the end, the stories I did accept best represented what I wanted for the book. I am also very proud of the fact that these stories represent some of the best in erotica. It is wrong to assume that a small press is unable to put together a collection of stories by some of the best names in erotica. The Cougar Book contains stories by authors Bill Brent, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Donna George Storey, Jeremy Edwards, Madeline Moore, Shanna Germain, and more.

The Cougar Book is my tribute to older women. Older women are not only smart and nurturing, but energetic and sexy. I am very pleased that Valerie Gibson, the original Cougar woman, agreed to write the introduction. Valerie has had a distinguished career introducing the Cougar phenomenon to the US. In addition to authoring Cougar, A Guide for Older Women Dating Younger Men, Valerie has appeared on a variety of radio and television programs including NBC’s Today Show, The Montel Williams Show, The Dr. Phil Show, ABC’s PrimeTime Live, Geraldo-at-Large and more.

COUGAR ON THE PROWL! Get your copy of THE COUGAR BOOK now!

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Jolie du Pre (Joliedupre.com) is a full-time freelance writer who writes for a variety of sites, including Associated Content and Seed.
Jolie is also an editor and author of erotica. Her stories have appeared in a variety of Web sites, in eBook, and in print anthologies including, Cream: The Best of ERWA edited by Lisabet Sarai, Best Lesbian Erotica 2007 edited by Tristan Taormino, Best Erotica 2007 edited by Berbera and Hyde, Purple Panties, edited by Zane, and Making the Hook-Up, edited by Cole Riley, among others. Jolie is the editor of Swing! Adventures in Swinging by Today’s Top Erotica Writers, published by Logical-Lust and Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of Lesbian Erotica, published by Alyson Books.
Jolie is the founder of GLBT Promo (GlbtPromoBlog.com), a promotional group for GLBT erotica and erotic romance. Her lesbian dating site is MeetHerHere.com.

The Cougar Book – interview with Keeb Knight

All this month on the Logical-Lust blog we will have interviews from the authors of The Cougar Book, edited by Jolie du Pre. Today is Keeb Knight, author of “Illicit Intentions.”


Keeb Knight was born in London. He grew up in the cities of Detroit and Philadelphia. Currently living in Philadelphia, he enjoys writing erotic, multicultural, urban, and romantic suspense stories. His story “Mandatory Overtime” was featured in Zane’s New York Times Bestseller Caramel Flava: The Eroticanoir.com Anthology. His most recent story “The Gerswins” was published in SWING! an erotica anthology published by Logical-Lust Publications, edited by Jolie Du Pré. He’s currently working on a romantic suspense and an urban erotica novel.

What made you decide to submit your work for inclusion in The Cougar Book?

I was already working on a cougar story as a side project knowing that this was a subject growing in popularity then an announcement came from Jolie and Logical-Lust Publications that they were doing The Cougar Book. So my casual side project then turned into a project with a deadline. I figured I’d submit my story while it was still fresh and had steam.

Tell us about your story. Give us a little teaser.

My story titled “Illicit Intentions” is about a beautiful, youthful-looking, future mother-in-law who is a professional woman and has a high sexual vibe for life. And some how, some way (with out giving too much away) her future son-in-law gets trapped up in her vibe.

Here’s an excerpt:

In true feline fashion, she snuck up elegantly and quietly. “Can I help you find something a bit more your size, sir?”

He was a bit startled, but the alluring voice sounded familiar to him. “Uh, yeah,” he said as he slowly took his attention away from a sheer, periwinkle teddy to that of the woman whose beauty was as youthful, natural, and fresh as he’s ever seen. He was almost a loss for words. Whoa! he thought. “Oh, hi, Ms. Thomas,” he said looking at her as though he could fuck her where she stood.

Dr. Lauren Xhang-Thomas was a psychiatrist. She specialized in sexual and behavioral therapy. She kept her married name after her divorce, but she let most people call her “Ms. Thomas.” She was of mixed decent: part Chinese, part African-American. Her light-sepia skin was like an exotic coffee mixed with just the perfect amount of cream. She had the most alluring honey-brown eyes; her long, raven hair framed her flawless oval face. She was a natural beauty.

“You know if you keep staring at me like that, young man, you might just go blind.”

“Well, you’re a very stunning woman, Ms. Thomas.”

“That’s very flattering, Kyle. I may have to marry you myself if you keep that up.”

“I’m just surprised to see you.”

“I can say the same. So, are you trying to find something for yourself or for my daughter?”

“Funny, Ms. Thomas.”

“Just asking. And you do know you won’t be calling me Ms. Thomas for much longer.”

“Uh, yeah. I guess you’re right. That’s going to take a little getting used to.”

“Don’t you worry your handsome face about that, dear. I’ll help you get more comfortable with calling me mother, mom, or mommy.”

“Mommy would be a bit much don’t you think?

“No. It just depends on what context is agreeable between the two of us. You’ll come to find I’m a very open-minded woman, Kyle.”

Could you succumb to a cougar?

Yes, I could. Have I ever? No, I haven’t. I’ve dated women who weren’t far older than me, but I’ve come across women about 10 years my senior who have passed through the sexual fantasy mill of my mind to the point where I could see myself with them.

Does your writing turn you on?

Absolutely! During and after I write a story I walk away from it briefly and become the reader (not the writer) and I have to be turned on by it. After all, the goal is to turn on my readers so it only makes sense that I too get turned on by what I write.

The Cougar Book release is in print and ebook formats. With ebook readers becoming more and more popular, what are your views on ebooks and their effect on the publishing industry?

I think ebooks are great. It gives readers another option of a format, portability, and lower cost. And it’s basically the same the publisher as well. Giving their readers other format option(s) and lower production costs. There’s always going to be a gray area though for publishers depending on how big or small they are as an entity in this competitive market. At the end of the day they have to find the balance of what works to their benefit. I’ll say this. Over the last few years there has definitely been a shift heading in the direction of people buying more ebook formats. Portable ebook readers are still on the expensive side, but now with the fact that people can read ebooks via some of the more popular mobile phones that alone is huge because people won’t have to carry around an extra gadget just to read their ebook. And this may be a niche market of people who were (or are) on the fence about buying an ebook reader. When consumers have a cell phone that can do the same function publishers now have the opportunity for another market of potential ebook buyers.

What do you find difficult about writing? What comes easy for you?

Starting a story is the difficult part for me. I don’t know about other writers but I have to know what the title of my story is before I write it. That being said, even at the point of have a working title I still have a rough start beginning a story. I battle with the fact that I have to think about hooking the reader from the beginning. Finding the best hook can be chore, but once you have it – the first few paragraphs or pages, then rest of the story is just a matter of finding what direction your characters are headed.

The part I find easy about writing is writing the dialogue in my stories. And I find it moves the story along more fluidly if done right. I like to put my characters in interacting situations as often as possible. Keeping the narration aspect down to a minimum. It gives the feel of realism in the fictional world I create.

What are you working on now? Do you have a current release or a new release coming soon?

Right now I’m currently working on a romantic suspense novel. A project I’ve been working on and off for a while now. I hope to complete by or before summer.

Where can we find you on the Web? Do you have a website or blog(s)? Any social networks?

I can be found on www.myspace.com/keebknight .

COUGAR ON THE PROWL! Get your copy of THE COUGAR BOOK now!

The Cougar Book – interview with Rachel Kramer Bussel

All this month on the Logical-Lust blog we will have interviews from the authors of The Cougar Book, edited by Jolie du Pre. Today is Rachel Kramer Bussel, author of “What Pretty Girls Do.”

Rachel Kramer Bussel is an author, editor, and blogger. She’s Senior Editor at Penthouse Variations, has edited over 30 anthologies, including Peep Show, Bottoms Up, Spanked, Tasting Him, Tasting Her, and The Mile High Club, and hosts New York’s popular monthly In The Flesh Reading Series. She teaches erotic writing workshops and does readings nationwide.

What made you decide to submit your work for inclusion in The Cougar Book?

I had this story “What Pretty Girls Do” kicking around for a while and kept trying to find the right home for it. Let that be a lesson–never give up! It got rejected I think three times before being accepted for this book. It was inspired by a Kirsty MacColl song, “What Do Pretty Girls Do?”

Tell us about your story. Give us a little teaser.

As I said above, it’s inspired by the Kirsty MacColl song, which I encourage you to listen to, and made me think about what a woman who’d always been known for her looks would do once they started to go. Here’s the first two paragraphs:

Sheena looked in the mirror, peering at the fine lines that had crept into her skin over the years, and in the last month or two, it seemed, suddenly taken up permanent residence. She smoothed her cheeks, the ones that used to glow, smooth and sparkling as peaches. She used to thrill to the compliments that were passed her way, gracing every such stranger with a smile that would make his day, perhaps even his week. Being a model, she’d gotten used to the looks, the covert glances, the whispers, the constant, eternal adoration. She’d worshipped herself too, always had, ever since she was a little girl, twirling by every mirror she passed, learning early on to toss her hair back and bat her eyelashes at every man or woman she came across. Those skills had come in handy, and she’d certainly bedded some of the best. But she’d never expected to be washed up at 40. She’d had surgery to make sure of that. Sheena had never even really thought about what life might be like once she stopped being perfect.

The thing of it was, it was only up close that one would notice any crack in her armor, any slight imperfection to mar her otherwise magnificent body. She’d made sure of that, visiting the gym so regularly she didn’t even need to flash her card, simply gave a divine nod before heading off into the back to sweat and sweat and dream about being able to lie back and have handsome waiters bring her elegant drinks while she floated in the pool. If she even had a pool. She’d been reduced to living in a small cottage, just far enough away from the major Hollywood players, the ones who’d undoubtedly made it, no questions asked, to make visiting her not-so-desirable. And today was her birthday. Her 40th–although officially, on the record and in the press, she was only 35–and intended to remain so for some time. She’d been lying about her age for so long that even she had to double check, and realizing that the big four oh was approaching had shocked her to her core. She remembered starting out, a bright, young, eager wisp of a girl, and that was often how she still felt.

Could you see yourself being a cougar?

Maybe when I’m older, though probably not, since I tend to like younger men, but I have been with a few younger guys who were a lot of fun.

Does your writing turn you on?

Once in a while it does. The more personal stories, the ones inspired by a lover or a crush, often move me. Others turn me on more mentally than physically. It’s often in rereading my work, whether live at my reading series, In The Flesh, or to myself, that the power of it truly hits me. I sometimes go into a little writing trance and forget exactly what I’m writing, perhaps as a way to protect myself from fearing publishing truly filthy thoughts or feelings.

The Cougar Book release is in print and ebook formats. With ebook readers becoming more and more popular, what are your views on ebooks and their effect on the publishing industry?

I’m curious to see what happens with ebooks. I don’t have an e-reader and am pretty removed from the whole genre, plus I love physical books and cart at least 3, usually more like 5 or 6, around with me all the time, so I don’t think I will ever stop reading print books.

What do you find difficult about writing? What comes easy for you?

On most days, I’d say “everything” to the first question. I love writing but also hate it sometimes when the ideas in my head don’t work out the same beautiful way on paper.

Your birthday has been declared a national holiday. How do you want people to celebrate?

Naked with cupcakes!

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can only have one book, one album/CD, and one person with you—what would they be?

Oh wow, what a question! I’d say The Glass Castle, The Reputation by The Reputation and…well, I probably can’t steal my friend’s baby or my baby cousin, so I will say my boyfriend.

What are you working on now? Do you have a current release or a new release coming soon?

I have, crazily enough, 10 books coming out this year – 8 anthologies, and my first novel (Everything But…, Harlequin Spice) and my first nonfiction book (The Art of the Erotic Love Letter, Cleis Press). Plus I run a monthly reading series in New York, In The Flesh, and am doing a mini West Coast and Minneapolis book tour for Best Sex Writing 2010, my annual nonfiction anthology. So there’s that, plus I have a full-time job at Penthouse Variations so I keep plenty busy.

Where can we find you on the Web? Do you have a website or blog(s)? Any social networks?

I’m all over the Internet: my website is www.rachelkramerbussel.com, and my blog is http://lustylady.blogspot.com. I’m @raquelita on Twitter and have a Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Kramer-Bussel/122880675514?ref=search&sid=572008831.53549185..1

Please come out for the free cupcakes and hot stories every month at In The Flesh: http://www.inthefleshreadingseries.com

THE COUGAR BOOK IS AVAILABLE NOW!

The Cougar Book – interview with D. L. King

All this month on the Logical-Lust blog we will have interviews from the authors of The Cougar Book, edited by Jolie du Pre. Today is D. L. King, author of “A Great Commute.”

D. L. King publishes and edits the review site, Erotica Revealed.  The editor of two, soon to be three, anthologies, find her in Best Women’s Erotica, Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica, Best Lesbian Erotica and many others. She is the author of two novels. Find her at dlkingerotica.com.

Could you see yourself being a cougar?

Could I see myself being a cougar?  Honey, I AM a cougar!  I particularly like sweet, young computer boys.  I’ve had, um, used, um, worked with two of them.  After the HTML is put to bed—well, let’s just say they can be quite flexible, at times, and rock-solid when you need them to be.

Tell us about your story.  Give us a little teaser.

I live in New York and commute to and from work every day via subway.  That’s something with which I’m really familiar; all New Yorkers are.

Most of my best ideas come to me when my mind is in a relaxed state, like the period just before full wakefulness in the morning.  I usually doze on the train to work (because I’m not a morning person and want to get in that last hour of sleep…) and I often get ideas for stories.  The germ of an idea for this story came from a commute.  I was thinking about all the people I tended to see every day, and my mind naturally drifted to how nice it would be to see some hunky boy get on the train.  I just took it from there.

Here’s a short excerpt:

A Great Commute

“Ma’am is fine, Justin.  You can call me Ma’am if it makes you more comfortable.  Shall we?” I said.  I got up and walked out the door, turned right, and continued around the corner, sure Justin was following me.  I had a small boutique hotel in mind.  It wasn’t far, and I had a corporate account.  I stayed there on occasion, when I worked late, rather than make the commute home.

As we got closer to the hotel, I turned to see Justin following three steps behind me.  I took his hand, drawing him parallel, and put my arm around his waist.

“Good morning, Ms. Shepherd, nice to see you back with us,” the doorman said as we entered.  I could feel Justin’s intake of breath when he saw the lobby.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be all right.  I’ll just be a minute,” I said, leaving him to try to look without gawking.

We had the elevator to ourselves, and as soon as the doors closed, Justin closed in for a kiss.  And what a lovely, sweet kiss it was.  His tongue gently prodded my lips open and so sweetly explored my mouth as a hand tentatively slid its way up my body to my breast.  I allowed him to continue in this manner until we reached our floor.  As the doors opened, I wrapped my fingers around the front of his belt, inserting them between the leather and the denim, and then gently pulled him after me down the hall.  I held him like this while I opened the door, and then pushed him into the room, still holding onto his belt.

Once inside, I closed and locked the door behind us.  Pulling him along behind me, I opened the bathroom and looked inside—’cause that’s what you do—then continued on into the room.  All this time, Justin hadn’t made a sound.  I backed him up to the king-sized bed and forced him into a seated position.  Removing my fingers from his belt, I stroked his crotch and felt the growing bulge in his pants.  Giving it a squeeze, I buried my face in his neck and inhaled.

“Mmm, you smell nice.  You must have headed for the train fresh out of the shower.”

“Yes Ma’am,” he said, shivering as I licked his jaw.

“Be a good boy, and get out of those clothes while I call my office.”

(If you want more, you’ll have to buy the book!)

Does your writing turn you on?

Absolutely!  I was once told that if what I wrote turned me on, it would, most-likely, turn others on too.  I’d like to take that a little farther and say that I don’t believe I can hope to arouse any reader if what I’ve written doesn’t get me at least a little bit hot.

The Cougar Book release is in print and ebook formats.  With ebook readers becoming more and more popular, what are your views on ebooks and their effect on the publishing industry?

I love ebooks.  They’re convenient and a great source of instant gratification.  I’ve read tons of them on my Palm in the Mobipocket format and, now that I have an iPhone, I read them in ePub on Stanza.  And I haven’t just read a bunch of dirty books on electronic devices. I’ve read mainstream best sellers as well because of that whole instant gratification thing.

I like instant gratification.  You could probably tell that about me by reading a few of my stories.  Yep, I’m definitely the “Whirr, birr, thank you Sir” kind of gal.

But that doesn’t mean I think ebooks will be replacing print books.  I don’t believe that will happen, at least not in my lifetime.  I love books in print!  I like holding them and touching them and turning their pages.  I also like signing them for readers.  I’m glad The Cougar Book is being released in both print and e formats—something for everyone!

What do you find difficult about writing?  What comes easy for you?

Sometimes I find getting the initial idea for a story the most difficult thing.  As I mentioned earlier, sometimes ideas just come to me when I’m most relaxed.  Perhaps that’s the problem: I don’t get a chance to relax that often.

I’m also a big procrastinator and inherently lazy.  Yes, yes, it’s true, I am.  So most often I’d say the difficult part about writing is sitting down and actually getting started.

As far as easy, once I get started, if the story is engaging, things usually tick right along.  I write erotica exclusively so interestingly, perhaps, I often find the sex scenes the most difficult.  I can get really bogged down in the sex.  I’ll write like gangbusters, right up to the sex, and then take a break!  (That’s a little secret.  Don’t tell anyone, OK?)

What are you working on now?  Do you have a current release, or a new release, coming soon?

I’m in the middle of editing a spanking anthology for Logical Lust Publications as we speak!  It’s called, oddly enough, Spank! and I’m excited about it!  I’ve been reading some dynamite stories.  If you’re the least little bit into spanking, I think you’ll find it irresistible.

My latest anthology, The Sweetest Kiss: Ravishing Vampire Erotica, from Cleis Press, was released this past October 1.  It’s been getting killer press and reviews, which I guess is appropriate for an erotic vampire anthology!

I’m writing stories that will, hopefully, turn up in various places, and I’m thinking about possibly writing another Melinoe book.

Where can we find you on the Web?  Do you have a website or blog(s)?  Any social networks?

Oh, boy, I’m all over the place!  I have a website that, among other things, lists my upcoming appearances and latest reviews.  Check it out at http://www.dlkingerotica.com.  I have a blog that I could keep up more regularly… Find it at http://www.dlkingerotica.blogspot.com.  I can be found on Facebook (D L King), Twitter (d_l_king) and FetLife (D_L_King).  Come by and say hi.

The Cougar Book – interview with Adriana Kraft

All this month on the Logical-Lust blog we will have interviews from the authors of The Cougar Book, edited by Jolie du Pre. Today is Adriana Kraft, auhor of “A Taste of Ginger.”

What made you decide to submit your work for inclusion in The Cougar Book?

First off, we’re huge admirers of its editor, Jolie du Pre, and thrilled to be included in one of her anthologies. We’re a married couple writing erotic romance together under the pen name Adriana Kraft. This theme seemed like a natural for us because many of our heroines are older women and we love to fulfil their fantasies. We like having our characters go against the grain some, to do the unexpected. Sometimes, as with the Cougar in this story, they are most surprised by a turn of events that seemed so unimaginable, yet turns out to be incredibly fun and explosive.

Tell us about your story. Give us a little teaser.

Our short story, “A Taste of Ginger,” offers an incredible night of decadence and sensuality for our newly divorced mid-life heroine. Against her better judgment she’s let a co-worker talk her into an evening at a swing club. When Annette tells her a handsome young man at the bar is checking her out she wants to run the other way—but Annette abandons her to pursue her own interests, and Ginger must make her own choice for the night of a lifetime!

Excerpt:

Nathan Samson was indeed easy on the eyes—dark hair, Roman nose, solid chin, and penetrating brown eyes. How could he be so young? How young was he? Way too young. Annette had led a mid-thirties guy out of here just minutes ago. But that was Annette. Ginger swallowed. And this was her. And there was no misreading the lust growing in those brown eyes that didn’t hide their appreciation for a particular full body—hers.
“Where are your girlfriends?” Ginger asked. “I thought they’d have you in one the bedrooms by now.”
He chuckled. “Why would you think that?”
“They were draped all over you. Isn’t that every guy’s fantasy—two girls satisfying his every whim?”
“Whoa, lady. Draw your talons back in.” Nathan gave her a brilliant smile. “I do like a woman who isn’t afraid to use her fingernails but…”
Ginger scowled taking in his meaning.
“Besides. That really depends on the women.”
“Huh?”
“Being with two women can be fantastic, but they have to be the right two women.”
“Oh.” She glared at her wine. She’d gotten them into this discussion. How could she get them on safer ground? “How old are you?” She’d blurted out the question without warning—herself, or him.
“I’m twenty-five.” He pursed his lips. “Not that it matters, but how old are you?”
“Fifty-five,” she squeaked. “God, I am old enough to be your mother.”
His fingers slid along the top of a bare thigh. She swallowed hard but couldn’t find the energy to pull away.
He leaned over close to whisper in her ear. “Ginger, when I look at you I don’t see my mother.”

[Ladies]Could you see yourself being a cougar?

For sure! Part of what inspired us to write this story was the delicious fantasy of having an evening with a young virile hunk so totally focused on adoration and giving pleasure – I’m a little jealous of Ginger, and I hope she inspires everyone who reads her story to want to be her!

[Men] Could you succumb to a cougar?

Absolutely! If she’s engaging, attractive and eager to experiment, I’d be pleased to be her laboratory!

Does your writing turn you on?

Yes, over and over! And if it doesn’t, we re-write and edit, edit, edit until it does. We’re fond of a quote by gay erotic author Lars Eighner from his book Elements of Arousal:

“The erotic scene is the jewel of the erotic story. The writer may justify the effort of rewriting this scene many times. When a writer finds himself as much physically affected by the tenth draft as he was by the first, he knows he is onto something.”

What do you find difficult about writing? What comes easy for you?

The tenth editing pass-through can become tedious. Writing the first draft when the characters are eager for us to capture their personalities and helping us get the plot just right—that’s the most fun. Also, doing the background research can be a lot of fun. Most of the time we’ve visited the settings in which we place our work. The internet helps us flesh out more details. We enjoy learning about careers and occupations that take us far afield, such as horse trainers, detectives, wine makers, exotic cancers, race car drivers, art curators, jewellery makers, outdoor guides and the occasional paranormal love goddess.

What are you working on now?

Do you have a current release or a new release coming soon? We’re wrapping up two erotic romance series celebrating bisexual heroines. Over at Extasy Books, the fifth book in our Swinging Games series came out as an e-book in January. At Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, Meghan’s Playhouse books 1 and 2 just released as a dual volume, soon to be in print, and we’re just polishing edits on the finale in the series, Meg’s Folly, scheduled for June. We’re also part of a lesbian love story anthology, To Love and To Cherish, releasing on Valentine’s Day at Love You Divine and benefitting Marriage Equality USA. For our next series we’re currently developing a combination historical/time travel paranormal erotic romance set in Wales and based on Celtic Welsh spirituality. We love delving into the research for this saga.

Where can we find you on the Web? Do you have a website or blog(s)? Any social networks?

Website: http://adrianakraft.com
Blog: http://adrianakraft.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AdrianaKraft
MySpace: www.myspace.com/adrianakraft
Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MidnightSeductions/

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The Cougar Book – interview with Emerald

All this month on the Logical-Lust blog we will have interviews from the authors of The Cougar Book, edited by Jolie du Pre. Today is Emerald, author of “To Make It That Way.”

Emerald’s erotic fiction has been published in anthologies edited by Violet Blue, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Jolie du Pre, and Alison Tyler as well as at various erotic websites. She lives in Maryland and serves as an activist for reproductive freedom and sex workers’ rights. Find her online at www.thegreenlightdistrict.org.

What made you decide to submit your work for inclusion in The Cougar Book?

As with Swing!, I appreciated the theme of The Cougar Book as something seemingly misunderstood and/or under-celebrated by society at large. While I have heard that some find the term “cougar” offensive, to me it seems a concept that appreciates and recognizes women who are older than an arbitrarily postulated “prime” sexual age and who own their sexuality and don’t feel intimidated away from pursuing younger men if they want to. I myself find that kind of recognizance and embracing heartening.

In addition, I enjoyed working with Jolie and Logical-Lust on Swing!, so much that I was excited by another chance to do so when the call for submissions for The Cougar Book came out.

Tell us about your story. Give us a little teaser.

“To Make It That Way” is told from the point of view of Zack, a young man whose sexual experience and understanding have not been very developed yet. The story relates his experience of meeting Cole, a woman almost two decades older than he, and the sexual connection between them led by the assuredness, expertise, and mystery he sees in her.

Could you see yourself being a cougar?

Oh, of course. I’ve never felt much of a specific orientation toward certain age groups sexually, so I have no reason to feel I would not continue to be interested in men younger than I, particularly as I become relatively older. I may not specifically go after men who are younger just because they were younger, but I certainly wouldn’t resist doing so because of an age difference either. Of course, I am in a monogamous relationship now, so that is all notwithstanding that!

Does your writing turn you on?

It has, yes, though not always immediately while I am writing it for the first time. There have been times when I’ve felt so encompassed by the act of writing that I haven’t noticed whether the content is turning me on as it’s coming (no pun intended). In those instances I have sometimes gone back to edit and found myself turned on in a way I hardly remembered or noticed when I was writing it for the first time.

I have also had the experience of writing things that may not necessarily turn me on but are obviously turning on my characters, and since I am writing them and not myself, I do my best to stay true to that without interference.

What do you find difficult about writing? What comes easy for you?

I have historically experienced difficulty with finishing pieces due to the tendency toward perfectionism in me. By that I truly mean an internal demand for perfection, and I have experienced that internally generated standard as quite intimidating sometimes. That fear has sometimes been successful in influencing me to procrastinate or continually avoid actually finishing a story (even more so if it’s unconscious so that I’m not even aware it’s happening).

Perhaps ironically, if I don’t let that part of the personality structure in me dictate my behavior and focus on writing regardless of what it says, that may be when writing seems “easy” for me. This may sound simplistic or silly (though I don’t mean it that way), but the actual act of writing is what has seemed easiest to me, at the times when I’m actually doing it—not thinking about doing it, not planning to do it, not wondering what to write about or how the story will go, but when I am actually attending to the act and it is just coming—then I’ve just seemed to need to pay attention and write it down as it comes forth.

Your birthday has been declared a national holiday. How do you want people to celebrate?

The same way I would love for all people to live–openly, authentically, awake to the present moment that is all there is. If they feel so moved, sex seems to me not only a profound opportunity to do this, but also something that, when done this way, holds enormous potential for growth, openness, and connection. What a great birthday present I would consider that!

You’re stranded on a desert island and you can only have one book, one album/CD, and one person with you-what would they be?

Tough question. I would probably choose the book I have found most significant in my adult life, The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson. The CD would be either Songs From Black Mountain or The Distance to Here by Live–I’m not sure how I would choose which one! As far as whom I would take, I would want my cat with me, but since the question does say “person,” I would choose my life partner.

What are you working on now? Do you have a current release or a new release coming soon?

I have around a half dozen short stories in progress right now (see above about finishing stories), a few for specific upcoming submission calls. My story “Power Over Power” is forthcoming in Please, Sir edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel, and my story “Shift Change” closes out Best Women’s Erotica 2010, edited by Violet Blue, which came out at the end of last year.

Where can we find you on the Web? Do you have a website or blog(s)? Any social networks?

My website, The Green Light District, is at www.thegreenlightdistrict.org, and it includes my blog (www.thegreenlightdistrict.org/wordpress).

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The Cougar Book – interview with Craig J. Sorensen

All this month on the Logical-Lust blog we will have interviews from the authors of The Cougar Book, edited by Jolie du Pre. Today is Craig J. Sorensen, author of “Adrian’s Lover.”

A computer geek by day and an author by early morning light, Craig J. Sorensen’s short stories have appeared in diverse erotic anthologies as well as print and online magazines internationally. Visit him at his blog: http://just-craig.blogspot.com/

What made you decide to submit your work for inclusion in The Cougar Book?

I’m not a young man anymore, so taking on the mantle of being a young man in modern times, and being fascinated by a mature modern woman let my imagination run wild. In a sense, I was able to step into both pairs of shoes (fortunately Adrian, the star of the story, doesn’t wear high heels) and allow my experience and memories of innocent youth to play off each other. To craft a relationship between a searching young man and an enlightened, pragmatic woman who has accumulated a sort of wisdom only years of living can provide was an exciting ride.

Tell us about your story. Give us a little teaser.

A young writer, who is searching to find himself, is wrapped up in his perception of life, women, and career, is required to do an interview with a musician who enjoyed some success in the 70’s, and then disappeared from the scene. Between sets, he becomes enamoured of her, intrigued by how she does, or doesn’t answer questions, and with the unfolding story of her life. He comes to appreciate her ease with herself and her very authentic sexiness. The more he learns about her, the more he wants to know.

Does your writing turn you on?

If I’m writing a sexy scene, and I can’t feel it in a physical way, even if the sexuality is dark or difficult, it’s time to revisit the scene, or cut it.

The Cougar Book release is in print and ebook formats. With ebook readers becoming more and more popular, what are your views on ebooks and their effect on the publishing industry?

I feel that as fine of works that come out in print can be produced in e-book form, but right now this world is a bit like the wild west. There are so many e-publishers emerging, and with some, the focus is on quantity over quality. This isn’t entirely new, if you consider pulp novels in the last century. The issue is knowing the pulp from the quality titles. One of the most exciting things about the e-book form is the potential to become “multi media.” Whenever a new technology touches on a traditional form, the first push of this new form will be a small evolution of the traditional. But in time, the new form will open new opportunities, new ways of thinking. I believe e-books present the prospect of taking the very personal part of the written word, the engagement of the imagination that only written words can convey, and combine it with other senses. Crafting this into a cohesive expression will provide exciting opportunities. Traditional printed matter, the smell of paper, the joy of an open book in the lap, will always have its place; I personally love it. However, the printed word only stands to improve with the maturing of this new business.

What do you find difficult about writing? What comes easy for you?

That moment when the germ of an idea takes hold and becomes a credible story is the most gratifying, and in its mysterious way, the easiest part. Upon completion, ironing out the details and tightening the prose is a bit more consuming, and in a sense, more “effort.” But like all skills, in the practicing we get more adept, and the skills grow more natural over time. There will always be challenges and skills to hone as a writer. In the end, I love the challenges of taking on something new, tackling that which is initially difficult.

What are you working on now? Do you have a current release or a new release coming soon?

I have completed an erotic novel set in West Germany in 1980 drawing from my experiences when I was stationed there. The day-to-day lives of those that served in Military Intelligence, a very different animal from the rest of the Army, during that time created a fertile ground to revel in the human condition and how our sexuality reflects our inner most desires and fears. Many people who go there were young and getting away from home, and these mingled with more experienced soldiers within the barracks.

Where can we find you on the Web? Do you have a website or blog(s)? Any social networks?

I can be found online at just-craig.blogspot.com where I muse on writing and erotica and share some of my writings. I have a neglected, but welcoming MySpace at: http://www.myspace.com/craig_sorensen