Blogs

Good news to report on the ME Erotica Writing Contest front -- my story, "Semiprofessional," received the highest ratings for the month of November, thus I am now entered in the running to be a quarter-finalist! This definitely makes the year-long wait to learn the winner of Mainstream Erotica’s Erotic Stories Writer of the Year award much more bearable, certainly!

So, so, so much thanks to everyone who voted for "Semiprofessional" -- I'm so excited and so honored!

Until my next story, please check out my ebook, "Love on the Side of the NJ Turnpike," still available via Paper Bag Press!

-LZ.

NOTE: For those who haven't yet read "Semiprofessional" and would like to, please click any link mentioned in this post. You will be asked to log in, as you need to sign up for a free ME account. Afterward, revisit the "Semiprofessional" link.

Our own Stephanie Bryant received high praise in a review for "Hunter," her vampire story published right here at Paper Bag Press. Of course, i was not surprised at all--she rocks. I promised  to publish only the highest-quality erotica, and now you can see I'm not the only one who thinks so about this story.

From the review:

"A tantalizing short-story from a vivid writer, “Hunter” is one great read. I can’t believe it was only fifty pages - the author packed so much into it. I hope she continues Haley and David’s tale, and I plan to be on the lookout for more of this woman’s work."

Enjoy the entire review here.

Buy the story here.

Published author Aubrie Dionne wrote lovely review for my story, "Love on the Side of the NJ Turnpike" (Paper Bag Press 2009) for her blog, Books Reviews by Aubrie.

A highlight (a.k.a., my favorite part!):

"Lux Zakari's writing is sexually and emotionally charged. The dialogue flows naturally and the situation is believable and unique to the genre. This is one fast read that delivers what it promises!"

For the full review, visit Book Reviews by Aubrie at bookreviewsbyaubrie.blogspot.com.

For information of Aubrie Dionne and her upcoming work, visit her blog at authoraubrie.blogspot.com.

To purchase "Love on the Side of the NJ Turnpike," you're at the right site! For the specific link, visit https://www.paper-bag-press.com/ebook/love-side-nj-turnpike.

-Lux Zakari
luxzakari@gmail.com
luxzakari.wordpress.com

This post is quite long. If you haven't got the time, come back later, maybe? I have been encouraged by EPIC to share this open letter. Please feel free to re-post it as you see fit.

***

This week, we are publishing:

"Love on the Side of the NJ Turnpike"

and

"Rites of Spring, Ch. 2."

Squee! Stay tuned!

My previously never-before-seen short story, "Semiprofessional," has been selected as one of the 10 stories for Mainstream Erotica's Erotica Contest semifinals. "Semiprofessional" is going head-to-head with nine other great short stories in order to not only score a sweet freelance writing gig, but as the winner of the coveted Mainstream Erotica's Erotic Stories Writer of the Year award. I'm dancin' on the ceilin' like Lionel Richie here, people.

NOTE: To vote for "Semiprofessional," you need to first sign up for a free ME account and then scroll down to the bottom of the story and rate it by clicking on the stars (five being the highest score). Don't forget to vote for the other stories as well!

Thank you so much and have a wonderful night! :)

-LZ.

"Long before I was able to muster up the nerve to write erotica, I envisioned the excitement and drama of calling myself an author of erotica. I imagined entrancing others with the novelty and inspiring intrigue by jutting out my hand and introducing myself as such with a carefree smile. I would then field any questions with the confidence of a matador.

However..."

Read the rest at LUX ZAKARI, (www.luxzakari.wordpress.com).

"Hello, I am Lux Zakari, and I write what some might call smut.

Much of the work that is produced under the Lux Zakari name concerns sex in some aspect, yet it's still a fact that is somewhat surprising to me. I'd always been interested in the concept of writing a gratuitous sex scene, having always flipped to those parts first in those bodice-ripping historicals when I was way too young to be doing so. I'd flirted with penning steamy encounters-my writing has always been quasi-sexual and focused primarily on intimate relationships. I remember taking a creative writing course in college, and a boy critiquing my work said something to the affect of "Your writing is so sexually charged... For a girl in workshop, it's kinda hot." That was pretty much one of the most awesome things I've ever heard..."

Read the rest at LUX ZAKARI.

--LZ.

Visions of Sexual Freedom: The 2010 New York City Sex Blogger Calender

2010 marks the second year that Tess and Diva have put together the New York City Sex Blogger Calender. All proceeds from the calender go to Sex Work Awareness (SWA). If you are aren't sure what sex work awareness is all about, here is a portion of SWA mission statement:

We believe that all sex workers have a right to self-determination; to choose how we make a living and what we do with our bodies. We conduct research about sex workers and the sex industry in order to better understand it, develop public education initiatives, and advocate for the rights of sex workers.

Read more here.

When Tess and Diva asked me to be a model in the calender, I was honored and thrilled to be a part of such a great project. They paired me with a photographer, told me the theme, Visions of Sexual Freedom, and gave me a deadline. I completely appreciated the freedom of expression to interpret the theme as I desired and I was a bit overwhelmed. What would my interpretation of sexual freedom look like?

Through lots of self reflection and discussions with the photographer, I discovered my sexual freedom is rooted in openness. I have found myself to be open in my sexual fluidity as a lesbian and bisexual, in exploring variations of non-monogamy, and in pushing boundaries in kink. All of which can be well described in written form, but how would it be translated into 2D and remain a hot, sexy photograph that would make people want to buy the calender?

Banned Books Week is next week! There are many ways to celebrate, but might I recommend reading one of our fine stories on this site?

Another way to celebrate is to write a dirty story yourself. Submit it to us here.

What are your favorite banned books?