Best Erotic Romance (Cleis Press, 2012) offers a sampling of work from some of the best authors writing in the erotic romance genre today. Editor Kristina Wright introduces Best Erotic Romance by saying, “These are the stories that touched my heart and ignited my libido, that made me think about the nature of desire and the unpredictability of the human heart. Each of these seventeen stories weaves love and passion so tightly that one cannot be separated from the other. And isn’t that what a lasting relationship is all about?”

Well written and provocative, the stories in Best Erotic Romance touch upon many different aspects of our sexuality and our expressions of sex within the context of our most intimate relationships. This is a book that celebrates the role of sex in our lives, and the need we have for intimacy, love, and passion. As a whole, the collection supports conversation, communication, and self-reflection. In the foreword, Shayla Black encourages readers to “embrace these stories for what they are: a true mirror of our inner needs, our longing to combine souls, to discover our truest selves. Explore. Fantasize. Wonder.”

Best Erotic Romance offers a wide range of stories which explore and reveal our most intimate connections, encompassing a vast array of situations, characters, and settings. The relationships in these stories are mostly heterosexual and vary from long-term marriages to first encounters. The characters range from unattached singles to divorced parents to married couples with children. These stories take place across the world, and are rooted in our relationships with the erotic, body and mind, heart and soul.

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Best Erotic Romance

Edited by Kristina Wright. Cleis Press, 2012. Foreword by Shayla Black

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What Happened In Vegas by Sylvia Day skillfully balances the genres of romance and erotica, combining traditional romance with scorching hot sex.

First Night by Donna George Storey explores the concept of marriage and anticipates the subtle changes that such a deep commitment can bring.

Another Trick up My Sleeve by Heidi Champa finds humor and depth in a couple’s quest to bring excitement back to their sex life.

Drive Me Crazy by Delilah Devlin is a lusty story about attraction and the push and pull of two characters as they reveal themselves to each other.

Once Upon a Dinner Date by Saskia Walker is a delightfully playful story that feeds upon the sensual exploration of sex.

He Tends to Me by Justine Elyot searches the place of love in a Dominant/submissive relationship dynamic.

Guest Services by Angela Caperton explores sex as self-empowerment, as the main character learns to take what she wants.

Memories for Sale by Andrea Dale is a story about a couple in a broken relationship opening up to communication and healing.

Blame it on Facebook by Kate Dominic finds the main character reconnecting with her past, and finding a path to her future.

The Draft by Craig J. Sorenson explores the powerful need for connection between two strangers who meet by chance.

To Be in Clover by Shanna Germain is a beautifully written story encompassing the wild, boundless nature of our sexual selves.

Honey Changes Everything by Emerald explores sex as a place of empowerment, as a couple finds strength in each other during a difficult time.

Cheating Time by Kate Pearce is a hot, heady story which engages and shows the love, passion, and sheer lust between a couple who take time to rediscover and reignite the fire between them.

Our Own Private Champagne Room by Rachel Kramer Bussel explores pop-culture sexuality and self-awareness as the main character actualizes her fantasy.

Till the Storm Breaks by Erobintica is a story about sexual openness and acceptance, as a married couple finds erotic pleasure between them rekindled through a threesome.

The Curve of Her Belly by Kristina Wright explores the concept of beauty and body image, as the main character struggles to see herself as the beautiful, sexy woman her husband sees, revealing a story of love, intimacy, and desire.

Dawn Chorus by Nikki Magennis is a story about the primal, emotional, natural expression of sex, as two characters crash into each other’s dark worlds, bringing to light the deep need we all have for connection with another.

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About Cleis Press

Cleis Press publishes provocative, intelligent books in the areas of sexuality, gay and lesbian studies, erotica, fiction, gender studies, and human rights. The largest independent queer publishing company in the United States, Cleis Press was founded in 1980 by Felice Newman and Frédérique Delacoste. Brenda Knight is Associate Publisher and Kat Sanborn is Editorial Associate.

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About Kristina Wright

Kristina Wright is an award-winning author whose fiction has appeared in over seventy-five anthologies. A member of the Erotica Readers and Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, and Passionate Ink, Kristina received the Golden Heart Award for Romantic Suspense from RWA. She is the editor of Steamlust, Dream Lover, and the bestselling Fairy Tale Lust.

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• Call For Submissions: Putting The “BLE” In Combustible

What is “BLE”?  It’s Best Lesbian Erotica of course!  Simply Google the title and you’ll find nothing but praise for this anthology of steamy hot stories. This is the fourth year that friend of our site, Kathleen Warnock, is editing the anthology – and she’s looking for submissions for Best Lesbian Erotica 2013 to be published by Cleis Press in December, 2012.   In addition to the $100 payment and author copies, contributors receive a 50% discount on the book purchased from Cleis.

In 2011 the edition was judged by Lea DeLaria, who contributed a story (The Elevator Man) to the 2012 edition. And those off-Broadway favorites, BETTY, were the guest judges in 2010.

So if you think you have what it takes to write something that will steam up the windows and mirrors … get to writing and get those submissions IN!  Details after the jump:

Submission Guidelines for Best Lesbian Erotica 2013

Kathleen Warnock is now accepting submissions for Best Lesbian Erotica 2013, to be published by Cleis Press in December, 2012.

Payment is $100 for each published story, and two copies of the book.

Submission Guidelines:

• Submit short stories, self-contained novel excerpts, other prose
• Unpublished material will be considered
• Previously published material will also be considered
• Submit two hard copies of each submission (you may print double-sided).
• Include a cover page with: Author’s Name, Pen Name (if applicable) Title of Submission(s), Address, Phone, and Email Address, and short (50 words) bio.
• All submissions must be typed and double-spaced; number the pages.
• Each submission should be a maximum of 5,000 words (list word count on title page). You may print double-sided.
• You may submit 2 pieces of work
• No email submissions will be accepted, except in the circumstances detailed below; you can email queries to Kwarnockble (at) gmail.com
• Manuscripts will not be returned.
• We will consider stories that have been published in other themed anthologies.

E-mail submissions:

• You may submit your story via email (as a Word document or PDF) under the following conditions:
  • You live outside of North America or Europe
  • The cost of postage would be prohibitive from your home country
  • The content of your submission may be illegal to send via postal mail in your home country
• Submission Deadline:
  • Submissions will be accepted throughout the year. The final (postmark) deadline is April 1, 2012. All submissions will be responded to by the end of September. Early submissions are encouraged.

Mailing Information:

Send all submissions to:

Kathleen Warnock
31-64 21st St., #319
Long Island City, NY 11106
Attn: BLE2013

If mailing from the US, First Class mail is fine. If you require a confirmation other than the USPS Delivery Confirmation, please included a self-addressed stamped postcard (not an envelope). If mailing from Canada, Airmail or XpressPost USA are recommended.

Please note: April 1, 2012 is a postmark date. You don’t need to overnight it as long as it is postmarked by then. If you are unable to make the postmark date, please email to discuss the possibility of an extension.

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• Book Review: Best Erotic Romance
• Spring EATFest 2011 – Something For Every Taste
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