New Release: Like the Knave of Hearts

Like the Knave of Hearts: Erotic Tales of Wonderland
Edited by J. Blackmore
ISBN: 978-1-885865-95-3
Word Count: 31,321
List Price: $5.99

Available from:

• Circlet Press
  
• Amazon Kindle Store
  
• Fictionwise (all formats)
  
• All Romance eBooks (epub, prc, pdf, HTML)
  
• Smashwords (mobi, LRF, epub, pdf, HTML)
  
• Scribd (PDF, epaper, read online)
  

For the next two weeks the title is on sale at up to 20% off from most partner sites, so don't dawdle, download a copy today!

Return to the world of wonder beyond the looking glass with this new collection. Like the Knave of Hearts seeks to answer the question, "What would Wonderland be like for grown-ups?" Dive into five luscious stories that explore the weird, the sexy, and the strange aspects of our favorite make-believe land.

At least two generations have grown up watching Disney's animated classic Alice in Wonderland. This year, with Tim Burton's live-action remake, we were all given the chance to revisit this magical place. How is Wonderland different for adults? What new experiences would we have there, all these years later?

Wonderland viewed by adult eyes is a very different place indeed, taking on a whole new dimension when elements of the erotic are introduced. The results are strange, troubling, and whimsical. This collection features five writers who were given the chance to explore the themes of adulthood and eroticism in the context of Lewis Carroll's work. The resulting stories range from deeply romantic to starkly erotic, and are far-reaching in their imaginative scope. Their visions range from the ridiculous to the deeply dangerous. These are stories of pasts revisited, imaginations awakened, and fears faced.

Includes:
-*- Lily White by Morwenna Drake
-*- A World of Her Own by Alex Picchetti
-*- Tarts and Tea by Holly Abair
-*- A Wasp, a Wig, and a Wanton Woman by Gary Westfahl
-*- Wonders Wild and New by Verity Penvenen

Call for Submissions: Sense and Sensuality

Call for Submissions: Sense and Sensuality

Circlet Press is going to be launching a new romantic imprint, called Clasp. As one of the first titles under this new label, we'd like to publish our own collection of paranormal Jane-Austen-inspired stories. Stories should include characters or settings from the Jane Austen canon, but with paranormal elements, which can be subtle or overt. Circlet Press welcomes sex-positive stories of all sexualities and preferences.

Submission Details

Deadline for submission is November 1st, 2010. Our preferred length is approximately 3500 to 7500 words, but we will consider the range from 2000 to 10,000 words. All submissions must be made via email to the following address: msjblackmore@gmail.com. Submission sent to other addresses/other editors at Circlet Press will not be considered.

Email submissions only. Stories are best submitted as a word processor document (.doc, .rtf, .txt, etc.) attached to the email, but do not forget to include your complete contact information on the attached document! (If it’s only in the body of the email, it’s quite easy to have a brilliant story come out of the printer and then have no way to trace back where the heck it came from.) Manuscripts should be correctly/professionally formatted for submission. (If you’re not sure what we mean by that, Google it.) No simultaneous submissions (that is, don’t also send your story elsewhere at the same time, and don’t send it to multiple Circlet editors, either), and no multiple submissions to the same book. One story per author per anthology, thanks.

All stories must have strong romantic content, with scenes of sexuality. Please keep in mind that this is romance, and so there should be a "happily ever after," or at least "happy for now." Whether first person or third person, a strong, singular narrative voice is our preference (no "head hopping" or swapping points of view within scene).

For more details on our editorial preferences, see the general submission guidelines general submission guidelines. We highly recommend reading the guidelines, especially the "do not send" list, to increase your chances of sending us something we’ll love. Try to avoid clichés. Fresh and direct language is preferred to overly euphemistic. Sex-positive, please, no rape/non-consensual/necrophilia or other purposefully gross topics. We do not publish horror.

Originals only, no reprints. We purchase first rights for inclusion in the ebook anthology for $25, with the additional rights to a print edition later which would also be paid $25 if a print edition happens. Authors retain the rights to the individual stories; Circlet exercises rights to the anthology as a whole.

New Release: The Innocent's Progress and Other Stories

The Innocent's Progress and Other Stories by Peter Tupper



In a steampunk society where sex is ritualized and marriage is sacred, the slightest misstep can bring your world tumbling down. In this collection, Peter Tupper explores the many facets of a time that never was, and a society that is all too familiar. Rich in eroticism, and immersive in its detail, The Innocent’s Progress and Other Stories is a sterling example of what steampunk can be.

In an unnamed place, in a time that never was, sex is elevated as high as ritual, and can be had for the price of a theater ticket. In The Innocent’s Progress and Other Stories, Peter Tupper explores the many facets of a complicated, sensual, and, in many ways, rigidly conservative society. Here, we are given passes to a theater of fantasies; we are allowed into the labyrinthine world of steam-powered workhouses; and we are given glimpses into the minds and mettle of the kind of people who survive in such a world.

About the author: Peter Tupper’s first professional fiction sale was to Circlet Press’s S/M Futures anthology back in the mid-1990s. In addition to working as a journalist, he blogs about the history of BDSM at www.historyofbdsm.com, and co-founded Metro Vancouver Kink, a non-profit community organization.

Includes the stories:


* The Innocent’s Progress (originally published in Like A Wisp of Steam)
* The Pretty Horsebreaker (originally published in Like A Corset Undone)
* Delicate Work
* The Slave
* The Impurity
* The Spirit of the Future

It's available directly from Circlet Press or
Amazon Kindle Store
Fictionwise
All Romance ebooks (epub, prc, pdf, HTML)
Smashwords (mobi, LRF, epub, pdf, HTML)
Scribd (PDF, epaper, read online)

Meet the Authors: Elementary Erotica

The selection process for Circlet's upcoming Elementary Erotica anthology is finally complete. The focus of this collection is steampunk Sherlock Holmes erotica. I was a little worried when I wrote the call for submissions that this theme might be a bit too specific, but I received more than a dozen entries, and was wowed by the quality and creativity of the stories.

In the end, however, I couldn't include everyone in this book. Seven finalists made it into Elementary Erotica, and I'd like to introduce you to them.

Louise Blaydon
"The Hysteria Machine"
http://bookworld.editme.com/louiseblaydon

An avid reader of everything from New Scientist to the back of the cereal box, Louise Blaydon has been writing, encouraged by her father, ever since she could hold a pen. Her writing, like her reading, has wandered erratically from genre to genre, but has settled firmly on gay romance, to the mild bemusement of Dad. Louise also writes sporadically for various journalistic publications and has been known to print the occasional poem. She owes much of her inspiration and support these days to an amazing network of friends, whose willingness to listen to her rail against life, the universe, and everything she could not live without.


Aoife Bright
"The Prophet's Eye"
http://aoifebright.dreamwidth.org/

Aoife Bright was always one of those children who made up stories, and also one of those who took things apart to see how they were meant to work, which means writing steampunk and fantasy was never that unexpected. Now much older, things haven't actually changed that much, as she still makes up stories and still take things apart. When not doing either of these things, she's a medieval Celticist who spends her rare free time wandering the Welsh mountains, trying new recipes, and watching the sea.


Elinor Gray
"The Adventure of the Green Zeppelin"
http://mistyzeo.livejournal.com

Miss Gray is a student writing for kicks in Philadelphia, although she is currently studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland. She writes fan fiction and original fiction, both erotic and otherwise, much of which can be found at her journal. "The Adventure of the Green Zeppelin" is her first published work, but hopefully not her last.


Cornelia Grey
"Emet"
http://corneliagrey.blogspot.com/

Cornelia Grey is a student halfway through her creative writing degree with a penchant for fine arts and the blues. Born and raised in the hills of Northern Italy, where she collected her share of poetry and narrative prizes, she is now based in London, and she is thoroughly enjoying the cultural melting pot that is the City. Her interests vary from painting to photography, from sewing to acting; when writing, she favors surreal poems and short stories involving handsome young men seducing each other. She loves collecting people's stories and re-discovering lost tales that deserve to be told.


Kate Lear
"Research"

Kate Lear is 29 years old and livs in London. In her spare time she's into reading, walking around the old parts of the city, and writing.


Peter Tupper
"Songs Without Words"
http://www.innocentsprogress.com/ www.historyofbdsm.com

Peter Tupper is a journalist and writer in Vancouver, BC. He studied history at University of British Columbia and journalism at Langara College. His publications include "The Innocent's Progress and Other Stories", a collection of steampunk erotica stories published by Circlet Press, and "21st Century Neo-Gothic" in "Inside Joss' Dollhouse", published by Benbella Smartpop. He's also the co-founder of Metro Vancouver Kink, a non-profit BDSM community organization.


Violet Vernet
"Upon the Use of Electrical Vibration in the Treatment of Hysterics"
http://missviolet.livejournal.com/

Violet Vernet is the pen name of a writer who lives in New York City.

Steamy Review: New Blood

New Blood by Gail Dayton



Even with the upsurge in interest recently, it's still relatively difficult to find dead tree books of steampunk erotica and romance. The Blood series started in 2009 with this book, New Blood. Fans of erotica and erotic romance beware, though: while there is lots of tension between our heroes in this book, there are only two sex scenes, one of which is very traditional.

The setting is the Victorian era, but with lots of interesting changes. Magic is known and prevalent worldwide, although some countries are more tolerant of it than others. There are four schools of magic: alchemy, wizardry, conjuring, and the long-lost sorcery, or blood magic. Blood magic being practiced almost solely by women, it was systematically wiped out during the Renaissance, with the death of the last known sorcerer, Yvaine.

We follow Amanusa, Yvaine's successor in magic. She's found by Yvaine's blood servant, Jax, and he must convince her to become a blood sorcerer and use her power to help save Europe from a mysterious magic plague.

I was excited about the relationship between Amanusa and Jax at the beginning. It looked like, even though they were falling in love, Jax would be content to be her servant, and Amanusa would be happy to have him as her possession and servant, as well as lover. Perhaps I'm just exposing my biases. Dayton does not takes this route; rather, she opts for a more conventional romantic plot, which I can't be mad at her for since this is romantic fantasy. It was heartening that Jax is not the typical alpha male, and that their growing love is actually believable.

The world of New Blood is rich, if a little under-utilized. Magic and the Victorian era seem made for each other. The prim propriety of proper English society blends well with the ritualistic and hierarchical magic society. As a Victorian magical romance, it delivers, and is a quick and absorbing read.

Cavalcade of Covers!

None of the new releases have become available yet, but I thought it might be fun to have a preview of what's to come.







That last one is going to change slightly, as the title of the collection is actually Like the of Hearts, but otherwise these are exactly as they'll appear when they come out this fall.