Softback Red cover with pencil, black and white title on the front.

• In this nonfiction craft guide, renowned erotica author and editor Rachel Kramer Bussel takes her 20+ years of experience in the genre and walks writers through the ins and outs of erotic writing. If you’ve had intimate fantasies or simmering plotlines you’ve wanted to write but weren’t sure how to go about it, let Bussel show you how to turn those fragments into fully fleshed out erotic stories, novellas or novels. Having taught erotic writing workshops at universities, conferences and sex toy stores across the world and online, Bussel not only knows how to write, but also how to make even those who blush at the word ‘sex’ feel comfortable putting pen to paper. You don’t need an advanced degree, previous writing experience or sexual experience to write good erotica. All you need is a keen imagination and a willingness to follow where your mind takes you. Through practical examples from her own writing process, erotica excerpts and interviews with over a dozen successful erotic authors, along with numerous writing prompts and tips, Bussel breaks down the practice of penning erotica with her easy-to-follow method. She shows readers of all genders how to get inspiration from your everyday surroundings, your personal life, news stories, sex toys and more. This book shares all you need to know about breaking into publishing, promoting your work and making a name for yourself as an erotic writer. From pseudonyms to BDSM, overcoming writer’s block and crafting sultry, believable characters, Bussel’s advice will have you seeing erotic possibilities everywhere. In this indispensable book, you’ll learn everything you need to know to be the next Ana¯s Nin. Whether you want to see your writing on bookstore shelves, write sexy stories or letters for a partner or simply explore your creativity, this erotic writing guide is for you.

Reviews

How to Write Erotica is without a doubt one vital and excellent book. The ideas, suggestions, and prompts that Rachel Kramer Bussel offers in her book are invaluable, and her book is a resource I know I will put into practice.–Christian Pan

A seminal, unique, and expertly written writer’s guide to a specific genre that has always been a lucrative market, How To Write Erotica is particularly recommended for aspiring writers working in both erotic and romantic fiction.–Midwest Book Review

Whatever is standing between you and good erotic writing can be found and overcome by looking inside this clear and comprehensive how-to guide. Terrific advice from one of the foremost writers and editors of the genre.–Justine Elyot, author of On Demand, Kinky and Fallen

If you’ve ever read erotica and thought, ‘I could write better smut than this!, ‘ How to Write Erotica is the book that will actually help you do it. It treats erotic writing like the craft and business that it is — focusing on a level of professionalism and care that’s required in any other genre of writing. If a writer completed only half of the exercises listed throughout the book and took only half the advice given, they’d be further along than many other writers publishing their smut right now. You can take the craft of writing about sex seriously and write steamy stories that turn yourself and your readers on. –Kayla Lords, Sex Writer

Rachel Kramer Bussel explains the intricate craft of erotica writing perfectly. Every erotica writer should have this book in their toolkit. I thoroughly recommend it to new and established authors alike.–Kay Jaybee, author of Making Him Wait, The Voyeur and The Fifth Floor

Rachel Kramer Bussel is the editor of over 70 anthologies featuring over 700 authors, including The Big Book of Orgasms and the Best Women’s Erotica of the Year series. She writes widely about sex, dating, books and pop culture, and has contributed to over 100 erotica anthologies, including Best American Erotica 2004 and 2006. She teaches erotica writing workshops online and in person and consults with authors. Her books have won the IPPY (Independent Publisher) Award for Erotica and the Samois Anthology Award from the National Leather Association-International and she is the winner of the Living in Leather John Preston Award