Call for Submissions: Elementary Erotica

There's always been a certain… something about Sherlock Holmes. Though a confirmed bachelor, and a cool logician, there's a certain sexiness about him, and about many of the people who passed through the doors of 221b Baker Street. Now it's time to tell their stories. Was more going on between Watson and Holmes than friendship? What are the missing details of Watson's courtship of Miss Mary Morstan? Could "The Woman," Miss Irene Adler, have had other misadventures before or after her run in with Holmes? We're looking for these stories, set in an alternate steampunk universe. Anything goes, as long as Doyle's characters are involved, and there's at least a flavor of steampunk.

SUBMISSION DETAILS:

The submission deadline is June 30, 2010. 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.)

Preferred word length is between 3000 and 7000 words. All stories must include explicit sexuality and erotic focus. (For more details on our editorial preferences, see the 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/nonconsensuality/necrophilia or other purposefully gross topics. We do not publish horror.

Original stories only, NO REPRINTS unless the distribution was truly obscure. Ebooks pay $25 per story, with an additional $25 if the book gets a print edition. Authors get one copy of each edition, as well. Author retains the reprint rights to individual story; we buy non-exclusive rights to inclusion in this anthology only.

Send submissions to: msjblackmore (at) gmail (dot) com

Vintage Vibes

This image is from a neat little article and gallery featured on Gizmodo. I love stuff like this. The article draws on a book by Dr. Rachel P. Maines called The Technology of Orgasm, a book that I'm probably going to have to pick up and devour. I've just bought an ebook called Penis Pending, which is a collection of diagrams and descriptions of some of the strangest sex toys ever invented.

As gadgets that bring pleasure are relevant to the interests of any steamypunk worth her goggles, I'll probably review them here.

Like a Corset Undone

All the trappings of steampunk society--corsets, airships, and 'leaping technologie'--meet the simmering undertone of sexuality so well-hidden by Victorian morality in LIKE A CORSET UNDONE, Circlet Press's third volume of erotic steampunk stories. By turns kinky and romantic, the stories in Like a Corset Undone explores all the reasons to unlace, whether to rebel, or for more intimate purposes.



From the Introduction, by J. Blackmore: "Revolution is a knife. The same knife is used to cut the corset's strings as is used to slit the despot's throat. When people decide that what is should not be, and that their vision is what’s to come, they plan to change things. When lovers are told that they cannot moan with the lights on, that they cannot seduce whom they wish, that they cannot fuck with joy and abandon, it’s only a matter of time until they have their way. Desire, and surrender to it, is the most revolutionary act of all."

Available at:
Circlet.com
Amazon Kindle Store
Fictionwise
All Romance eBooks
Smashwords
Scribd

Like Clockwork

Seven stories of erotic steampunk, exploring worlds of clockwork people and their relationship to their creators. If a mad, or not-so-mad, scientist of the steam age, were to create his or her own being, what desires would be reflected there?



"For those who have not experienced the wonders of steampunk erotica, it is not necessary to have read the first volume, but it is highly recommended. As its title implies, Like a Wisp of Steam, is light and airy compared to the harder, more polished tone of this volume.

"This volume contains seven stories that show a polish and mirror reflection, much like the gleaming metal creations that are the topics of consideration for the reader to ponder and wonder of the alternate Victorian era filled with steam powered dirigibles and clockwork mechanicals, some which apparently have minds of their own… This is a very solid and well done addition to the offerings of Circlet Press."
--The Baryon Review

Available at
Circlet Press
Amazon Kindle Store
Smashwords
Scribd

Like a Wisp of Steam

Five erotic steampunk stories. Lust & leaping 'technologie' meet in a Victorian era that never was. Jason Rubis, Thomas S. Roche, Vanessa Vaughn, Peter Tupper, and Kaysee Renee Robichaud create fascinating tales of airships, corsetry, mad scientists, and drama.



Available at:
Circlet Press
Fictionwise
Amazon Kindle Store

Praise for Like a Wisp of Steam:

"Bravo to Circlet Press for helping to usher in steampunk erotica for us readers eager for the new and unknown... Readers, you're in for a treat with a lot of variety to satisfy many different tastes." –Obsidian Bookshelf

"This is an enjoyable group of tales that solidly fits the bill as steampunk and erotica... for those who are unfamiliar with steampunk it is a splendid jumping in point. Of course the erotica only adds to the enjoyment." –The Baryon Review

"Readers (such as this reviewer) who were raised on nineteenth-century fantasy literature will love the facsimile versions for grown-ups in this collection. All the writers seem familiar enough with the period to fake it convincingly while including more explicit sex than the authors of the time dared to describe. This e-book would be a good introduction to steampunk for readers who are unfamiliar with it." –Jean Roberta, for TCM Reviews