LEATHER, LACE AND LUST -- re-released by Berkley!

M. Christian and I are soooooo thrilled to announced that LEATHER, LACE AND LUST has been purchased by Berkley Books and is now out!

LEATHER, LACE AND LUST explores the connection between clothing and sex and really runs the gamut from fun to provocative to disturbing. This book first came out in 2003, published by the Venus Book Club, which meant that only Venus Book Club members could buy it. Not the best way for a book to get exposure, you know? Plus, we knew it was an excellent book and wished it could have gotten the attention it deserved (not all anthologies come together as an editor would like, but this one did). Just look at THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW EROTICA 4 and you'll find several stories from LEATHER, LACE AND LUST! Anyway, we were delighted when we learned that Berkley bought it several months ago, gave it a new cover, and will be putting it in bookstores across the country! We're excited for a number of reasons, but primarily because this was just a little, throwaway book for Venus yet it was full of really excellent stories. Here's the table of contents if you want proof:

Killing the Marabou Slippers by Molly Laster
When Calls Ed Wood by Tom Piccirilli
Underneath Your Clothes by Elizabeth Coldwell
Cruising with Vickie and Marge by M. J. Rennie
A Novel of Manners, Set Vaguely in the Heian Era by Jason Rubis
I Am . . . by Christine Morgan
Contented Clients by Kate Dominic
A Little Bit Like a Slut by Thomas S. Roche
Nacht Ruck by Karen Taylor
Dress Pinks by M. Christian
Debt of Honor by Tulsa Brown
Cashmeres Must Die by O. Z. Evangeline
Sheer Excitement by Debra Hyde
Pret-a-Porter by Stacy Reed
Red Nails in the Sunset by James Williams
A Reflection in the Mirror by D. D. Smith
Bethany's Game by Bryn Colvin
Urban Noir by Tara Alton
Twentieth Century by Lisabet Sarai
Skirting Pleasure by Sage Vivant

Spread the word and buy some copies as holiday gifts!

Cancer in the artist community

Just last week, I learned and announced that Craig Morey, a gifted photographer, was trying to raise funds to pay for his cancer treatments. Today, I found out that DD Smith (Debbie McGuffey), one of the writers whose work appears in LEATHER, LACE AND LUST wrote to say that she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in January of 2005.

Her friend---Carolyn Jones (a.k.a. Methec), has put a huge abstract oil painting up for auction on eBay. Until the auction ends, it's hanging on the wall at Twisted Sisters down at Jacksonville Beach. (*Info for Twisted Sisters (Owner- Sonny): 1266 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville Beach, FL 904-241-6453).

The painting can be seen and bid on here. It's enormous and obviously, may not be suitable for any of your walls. You can still help Debbie, however, by making a contribution of either cash or money orders directly to her or by sending money to Carolyn Jones through her PayPal account bod-a-bing@mindspring.com

The painting is titled "Life is for Living," and Debbie says the photo doesn't do it justice. It's really awesome, colorful, bold and extremely large.! It would look great in an office, behind someone's sofa in a contemporary setting, possibly in a public building on display, a bank, a doctor's office.

Debbie and Carolyn are trying to figure out additional ways to publicize this auction and Debbie's plight. Carolyn is a former Playboy model, so they're hoping to use that to some advantage (read more here). If you can think of other creative ideas, please write directly to Debbie at ddmcguffeycomcast.net

To send her money, here's her address:
Debbie McGuffey
8045 Weather Vane Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32244

Please help photographer Craig Morey

I recently learned that photographer Craig Morey (whose work is available
through Custom Erotica Source) has been diagnosed with cancer and is
facing some serious medical bills for his treatment. (As many of you
probably already know, our lovely health care system basically ignores
people who don't have full-time jobs and live by making art. ) Some
friends of his have organized an art show where he will be selling his
work at reduced prices to help pay for these medical bills. Here is the
announcement I received today -- I hope that you will come to the show and
do what you can to help. Craig is not only a talented photographer but a
wonderfully sweet person.

If you cannot attend but would still like to make a print purchase, please
see this url for information: http://www.moreystudio.com/december18.html

***
Please join us on Sunday, December 18th from 12:00 to 6:00pm for a special
one day print sale to raise funds for Craig Morey's medical bills from his
recent cancer treatments*.

This is a unique opportunity to purchase Craig's elegant black and white
photos, in his studio, at unusually low prices. New digital prints and
vintage fiber prints will be on sale, as well as posters and books. Light
refreshments will be provided.

Thanks, and we'll look forward to seeing you there.

Jill Manton
Liz Ross
Ervin Grinberg
Hal Fischer

PS: If you cannot attend on the 18th, but would still like to make a print
purchase, please see this url for information:
http://www.moreystudio.com/december18.html



For more information, contact:
Jill Manton
Tel: 415-252-2585
email: jillmanton@yahoo.com

Studio Address: 4080 Halleck St, Emeryville 94608 (near Park and 40th)

Call for information on sale date: 510 654 2952

Directions to studio: (Studio is directly behind the Ikea store in
Emeryville). Take hwy 80 to Powell St, go East 1/4mi to Hollis, turn right
and go South 1/2mi to Park, turn right and go West to Hallleck, turn left
and park on street. The studio is about 30 yards behind the gate marked
4080 (left side of street)

* Earlier this year, Craig Morey was diagnosed with throat cancer and
began receiving both radiation and chemotherapy to combat this
life-threatening disease. Because of the severity of his treatments, Craig
was incapacitated for several months and is only now returning to his
photography work. As a self-employed artist, Craig has had little income,
and no disability or sick pay during this very difficult period.

Fortunately, the most recent evaluations by his doctors have been
favorable and Craig has a very good chance of recovery, and of keeping the
cancer in remission. Unfortunately, even with basic health insurance the
cost of treatment and Craig's medical bills are
astronomical.

The goal of this sale is to raise funds to help pay Craig's medical costs.
He will be offering both vintage fiber prints and new digital prints, with
prices ranging from 75.00 to 500.00. There will also be signed books and
posters available.

We hope you will join us on Sunday, December 18th to support Craig.

The Future of Erotica

Writer and interviewer William Dean hosted a roundtable discussion with me, M. Christian, Carol Queen, and Dr. Gloria Brame for the Erotica Readers and Writers Association (click on the link in the subject line). He asked some thought-provoking questions and the diversity of our answers is worth checking out.

And if that weren't enough, erotica novelist Lisabet Sarai, whose new book FIRE is quite a delicious morsel, reviewed THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: BISEXUAL EROTICA and gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up, which is nice. ERWA is a great site -- spend some time there after you read the interview!