=========================================
From The Editor
Katy Terrega
=========================================

Thanks to all of you who have been so supportive the last few weeks! Your emails have made all the difference, putting into perspective all that really matters and reaffirming my belief that luck has been on my side.

For you new subscribers, my family and I had a house fire a few weeks ago and are currently "displaced." The whole house is not lost, however; we'll be able to move back in in a few months, and everyone, except for several of our pets, is okay.

I had to postpone the last issue of the newsletter and I am, of course, woefully behind on correspondence. Please bear with me while I try to get caught up! In the meantime, please check your smoke detectors and your insurance policies.

On a lighter note...the Summer Short Story Contest is here! You could win $25 plus a copy of Porn 101 , It's A Dirty Job or The Porn and Erotica Market Report , not to mention lasting fame on our Winner's Page! See below for more details.

I'm looking forward to reading your stories!

We've got some great stuff in this issue...Cynthia MacGregor talks about editors in her article, "Two-Way Street," there are lots of Goings On, plus several great markets, including a good, paying one for you UK subscribers.

Thanks again for all your support and, as always, enjoy the newsletter and keep in touch!

Katy

===========================================
--- Short Story Contest - Summer, 2001 ---

===========================================

Once again, it's time to dredge that fantasy base and put pen to paper (so to speak) for the fifth quarterly Erotic Short Story Contest! Put together the right combination of unique characters, relatively believable plot and, of course, steamy sex and you could win $25 plus a copy of Porn 101 , It's A Dirty Job or The Porn and Erotica Market Report . Then there's that whole "lasting fame" thing, which you can check out Here. The contest starts today and the deadline is July 7th. I'll post the winner in the newsletter and on site on July 9th. Click Here for all of the details.

Good Luck!

===========================================
--- Two-Way Street ---
--- by Cynthia MacGregor ---
===========================================

Over the years, I've read a plethora of articles that stress the etiquette of manuscript submission. To see these writings in various publications, one would think that the majority of writers are abysmally ignorant when it comes to the basic requirements. Can there really be that many writers who still fail to include SASE or who (gasp!) type on both sides of the paper?

What I think we need is a manuscript etiquette-guide for editors. It's a two-way street, folks, and we writers aren't the only guilty parties around here. Recently, as I dabbed correction fluid on the top page of a returned manuscript over an editor's thumbprint (was he trying to prove he had read the article before rejecting it?), my brain began compiling a list of editors' etiquette offenses.

Why doesn't someone write an article for editors, pointing out some Thou Shalt Nots? I'll give you a head start-herewith my list of Pet Peeves concerning editors:

o Editors who are starting a paper clip collection at my expense. I faithfully clip the article together; the editor just as faithfully swipes the clip before returning the article. (Note to self: Start stapling manuscripts.)

o Editors who shuffle pages before returning a manuscript. (Are they practicing for a new career in Atlantic City or Vegas, in case the next wave of layoffs includes them, or are they merely trying to prove that they really did read the manuscript before returning it?)

o Editors who bend corners on pages throughout a manuscript. (Are they marking the places at which they left off reading each time they came out of the bathroom?)

o Editors who scribble phone numbers, dental appointments, and other notes and memos ("Linda wcb," "Galleys Tues!" "butr egs cfe pk chops brd") on the front page of a manuscript they later return. (I bet the editor who scribbled "J preg? Div?" could write a sizzling novel based on real life!)

o Editors so interested in saving their company money that, in passing along a manuscript to another editor at the same company, they eschew Post-Its and write notes directly on the front page of the manuscript. ("P - Too offbeat for our readers. What about yours? - L")

o Editors who are furniture-lovers. Not for them to get coffee rings on their desks! No, they have a supply of handy oversized coasters-commonly known as the slush pile. (For years I bemoaned the fact that my manuscripts, to judge from the length of time it took to get them back, must always wind up buried at the bottom of the Everest of all slush piles. But lately I've obviously attained a priority position. From the coffee rings I've been viewing lately, it's obvious that my manuscripts do finally reach the top of the pile-always right at coffee-break.)

o Editors who return manuscripts with one page missing. (Keeping the one page they liked?)

o Editors who edit an entire manuscript before deciding, for one reason or another, that they can't use it. (Maybe they think that if I send it back out already edited I'll have a better chance of selling it, since the work's already been done?!)

Hey, c'mon, you editors-play fair. You want simple etiquette from us writers? OK, but remember, it's a two-way street. How about a little edit-quette from you?

---

Editor's Note to other editors: And while you're at it, would you please return all those stamps that I so faithfully affix to the SASE that you never return?!

---

Cynthia MacGregor, a freelance writer and editor, has well over 30 published books to her credit and a number more scheduled for publication during the remainder of this year and on into next. The South Florida resident hails originally from New York but loves the warm weather and wouldn't go back, "not even for free tickets for every show on Broadway." Cynthia's hobbies are writing haiku ("a Japanese form of poetry--in English, of course!") and cooking ("one of my books for next year is a cookbook--how great to turn a hobby into a moneymaker--and how fun!"). Cynthia teaches an evening writing course for adults at a local high school, where she has also taught cooking courses in the recent past. An inveterate punster, she so loves wordplay that each May she travels to Austin TX to participate in the annual O. Henry World Championship Pun-Offs, where this year she took 2nd place in the "High Lies and Low Puns" event. She says, "There's no one in the world I'd want to trade lives with." She invites you to visit her webpage at www.CynthiaMacGregor.com.

===========================================
--- Market Listings ---
==============================================

BUTTMEN: Erotic Stories and True Confessions by Gay Men Who Love Booty. West Beach Books - PO Box 68406 - Indianapolis IN 46268. Website: http://www.westbeachbooks.com. E-Mail:jericson@westbeachbooks.com. F(561)-594-7769. CONTACT: Jim Ericson, Production Manager. Yearly - early summer beginning in 2001 - erotic book anthology that celebrates the beauty of the male butt. 100% freelance written. Works with new writers. Submissions reviewed and accepted in the fall of each year. Purchases non-exclusive print and electronic rights. Pays writers 120 days after publication. Obtain guidelines at website. Submit finished manuscript, via email only, in Word or text doc with pages numbered and contact info on first page...for other guidelines, visit the site. CURRENT NEEDS: Erotic stories and true confessions by gay men (or women who write under a penname) about the male butt. All types of writing accepted, including fiction and nonfiction. PAYMENT: Varies; approximately $50 per story. WORD COUNT: No minimum/maximum. Preference for shorter stories. REPRINTS: Yes, as long as writers retain or secure rights. HINTS: Please, please carefully read the submission guidelines on the website.

---

SIREN MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN:We do accept unsolicited stories, however the number of submissions we receive means that we are not able to guarantee publication of all suitable stories.

We do not accept unsolicited articles; if you have an article in mind, please write giving us an outline of your idea and we shall let you know if it is something our readers may be interested in.

Stories should be between 1500 and 3000 words and payment is from £30. We would love to pay our writers more but, as we are a new publication with a modest subscription, we are currently unable to do so. However, our subscription rate is growing and our payment rate will grow accordingly.

We also pay £10 for each ‘Readers Fantasy’ printed, these are between 400 and 1500 words.

All articles, stories and fantasies must comply with our guidelines. Please read the guidelines carefully as we do not publish anything that contravenes these guidelines.

We prefer submissions to be provided in both hard copy and on disk (Microsoft Word or Microsoft Works compatible) if possible.

SIREN GUIDELINES

Erotic rather than blatant or sleazy.

Appealing to the widest possible female readership.

Women fantasise about a huge variety of different situations including sadomasochism, spanking, bondage etc. All of this is fine, however, it must be made clear that all characters involved are participating of their own free will and are not being forced or coerced into any sexual acts.

Coercion includes the use of drugs, alcohol, blackmail, bribery, any sort of payment and even fictional potions.

The magazine shall NOT contain, in any way shape or form, anything involving rape, hatred, violence, incest, fear, bloodshed, wounding, force, coercion, necrophilia, sex with animals, sex involving anyone under the age of 18, including flashbacks to childhood experiments, emotional or physical trauma, bondage that involves constriction around the neck or anything which could lead to suffocation or strangulation. In short, anything that suggests danger to any parties or any loss of or disregard for a person’s free will, shall not be accepted for publication.

Stories and articles should not promote deceit in any form this includes affairs without the knowledge of wives/husbands/partners. Multiple sex partners/scenes are fine provided it is not suggested that anyone is being deceived.

Due to the necessity for AIDS awareness, we should avoid direct mention of bodily fluid. Each magazine carries a safe sex warning and, although it is not necessary to make mention of the use of condoms in each sex scene or to show them in all pictures, the subject should be left open so that it can be assumed that condoms are being used. In other words we should avoid sex scenes which are obviously unsafe such as any sexual acts which involve bleeding or the drawing of blood through flagellation and/or descriptions of wombs being flooded with semen or the swallowing of sperm during oral sex.

It is possible to describe the male orgasm in ways that are extremely erotic, without making direct mention of where the sperm is actually going! The climax is more important than the fluids it produces.

Although the aim of the magazine is to produce erotica for stimulation, relevant informative and interesting articles will also be included. However, articles and stories that include emotional trauma, violence, bereavement or deceit shall be avoided. The readers are buying the magazine for escapist sexual fantasy, not to read articles or stories which may create feelings such as guilt, sadness or fear.

To avoid slang, degrading, obscene or ‘blokey’ words, such as stabbing, piercing, pork sword, sopping love tunnel etc. Alternatively we should use words that reflect a sense of pleasure such as possess, ravish, engulf, manhood, phallus etc.

Articles and stories should be positive and empowering and not negative or derogatory to any person or groups of persons. This includes any form of prejudice, sexism, racism or ageism. Basically, anything anyone does is OK with us provided they are not harming anyone or lying to/deceiving others.

Women, as well as men, should be able to enjoy explicit erotica and Siren aims to provide it.

For questions and information, please send email to: "Angela Taylor" at psiren@lineone.net.

http://us.f144.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=psiren@lineone.net&YY=35714&order=down&sort=date&pos=0

Writers/artist send your work to:

Siren for Women,
PO Box 41,
Ilfracombe,
North Devon
EX34 8DJ

---

DARKEROS NEWS: This is friendly call out to author's for submissions. DarkEros News is an exciting newsletter for writer's of dark erotica and we are currently seeking inspiring articles, tips, jokes, how-to's, market news, reviews on books, films, and websites for writers, quotes, trivia, and flash fiction (under 100wds). We want this newsletter to grow into a valuable resource for writers of all ilk.

If you are interested you may check out the DarkEros News e-group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/darkerosnews/join to read our past issues or query duana if you have any questions. Our next issue is due out August 1/2001, deadline: July 15/2001. Thank you for your time! duana

---

WRITING LITERARY EROTICA with the editors of Philogyny, July 27-29. Amie M. Evans and Maxine Whitty (erotic writers; editors of Philogyny: Girls Who Kiss and Tell; and members of The Princesses of Porn) will be offering a weekend workshop on writing literary erotica at the Damas Gracias Writers and Artists Workspace, in beautiful scenic and peaceful Gilboa, NY.

Whether you want to write an erotic novel, an erotic short story, or an erotic scene as part of a longer work, this workshop will help you build and expand your erotic writing skills. By pointing out common pitfalls and exploring the variety of personal and literary expression possible in this exciting and ever-expanding genre, this workshop will teach you techniques for writing sex scenes that sizzle.

The workshop will examine issues such as: vocabulary; style; writing erotica from the opposite gender, sex, or sexual practice; writing from personal experience, and from imagination; and how to release your creativity and get past your inhibitions. We will also explore such practical issues as: what makes erotica "hot" for readers and editors; what editors and publishers want to buy; how to sell your erotica; current pay rates and venues (such as magazines, websites, anthologies); and self-promotion. This course will combine workshop techniques and peer critique with lectures, writing exercises, and assigned readings.

For a complete description of the workshop and the instructors contact pussywhippedproductions@hotmail.com or http://nocrowds.com/damasgracias

Workshops run Friday through Sunday and include meals and room. A grant from ASTRAEA National Foundation offers a limited number of scholarships for applicants who demonstrate financial need. Send requests for eligibility to Robin Thorne (e-mail RobnThorn@aol.com Phone (607) 588-9492 POB 3B, Gilboa, NY 12076). Founded by New York State Council on the Arts.

===========================================
--- Goings On ---
===========================================

If you sent me a 'Goings On' in the last two weeks but you don't see it here, just email me and I'll get it in the next issue!

---

Sheri White writes...

My dark erotic story, "Reunion," is now up at http://www.cyber- mistress.com. The direct link to my story is http://www.cyber- mistress.com/reunion.htm.

My erotic horror story, "Trouser Snake" is in Issue #1 of the new British print 'zine Peepshow. The link for Peepshow is http://peepshowmagazine.co.uk/.

---

Murray is pleased to announce the publication of his very first erotic story called "Streetcar," at CleanSheets.com.

---

Edward Finley writes...

I want to announce that "Buttmen," the new anthology of male ass stories, is now out, and it includes my story, "A Straight Man Who Admires Other Men's Butts."

---

One of my stories, "Cocky", was just chosen for the yearly anthology Best Gay Erotica, edited by Richard Labonte. A different judge picks the finalists every year. This year's judge was Neal Drinnan. This is an anthology that is sold through mainstream bookstores like Barnes and Noble.

Plus...hot off the presses...she just sold another one to In Touch! - "Struck by Lightning."

---

The book is out!

My heart is in my throat but there is no backing out now…this is a very personal accounting and the sparks are already flying up here. Both brothers want to shoot me, so I guess sparks are better than bullets! O’well, guess this will just make for more war stories when we all end up relaxing on that beach somewhere…

The following paragraph will give you a feel for the book:

From "12 Years: The Long Road Back":

"I was a man without options: I was serious and I no longer cared what these people thought about me. I was going to win regardless of the cost: if that meant clearing my way with a baseball bat, like clearing my path through a jungle with a machete, I was ready and willing. I viewed my predicament as a fight with only two outcomes: sobriety or death. It was my final battle in a war wreaking continuous havoc for 18 years. Not only did I believe my physical life was on the line but my wife and son’s future as well. I crossed a great sea of illusion and beached myself on the enemy’s shore; burning my boat I declared this an irrevocable decision: the battle was imminent, and failure or retreat was not an option. I was a self-contained unit, alone but steadfast: resolved, I dug in and prepared to meet my Maker if necessary. If it was to be, it was up to God and me. This was my mental state as I readied myself for the unavoidable confrontations soon to come."

This is my signal flare to the world…I am hoping it opens up options that allow me to leave Delta and begin my speaking career…hopefully before I am tarred and feathered… Please wish me luck!

To purchase your copy:

To order online at wholesale, go to www.1stbooks.com Type in "12 Years" and my name "Kezer" and it will offer you the Format of your choice (softbound ($9.95), hardbound, or ebook)

Or

Order on line from Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, etc. Once again, Just enter "12 Years" and "Kezer" and the order page will show.

Or

Just ask your favorite bookstore to pick it up for you. It will be In their data base and they will receive it in 5 to 7 days. If they need the ISBN, for the softbound it is 075961458X. The cost should be about $15.54 through a retail store.

Thank you for supporting me in this effort. I would love to know how you liked the book - bob@wildak.net.

---

---

I've got my revamped website up and running here - www.KatyTerrega.com.

---

Tell me what's going on! Have you made a sale? Do you have a piece being published? Let me know and I'll print it here for all to see!

---

Check out my column at http://www.AbsoluteWrite.com on - what else?! - writing porn. This week I wrote an essay - "Grab 'Em By The Throat!" - about how to catch an editor's attention...

===========================================
--- Q & A ---
=============================================

Send me your questions! I'll answer the most common ones here, and if I don't know the answer, I'll do my best to find a pro who does. (Of course, failing that, I'll ask y'all for help...)

===========================================
---Looking for Writers---
===========================================

Send Me Your Stories And Ideas!

I'm looking for essays/articles that will inspire and/or instruct other porn writers. Success stories, how to break into certain markets, unique views on the genre, etc. Around 800 words is good, although I'm flexible.

I'd love articles on specific markets. There are so many sub-genres of porn and it's hard to know the subtleties of each. If you've got a specialty, from BDSM to Watersports to Leg Sex to Amputeeism, feel free to share your knowledge.

You can either suggest a topic (query) or send something whole. I'll get back to you within a week as to whether or not I'll be able to use it.

Right now I'm paying with a copy of the updated It's A Dirty Job...(plus credits) but as SOON as this site is self-supporting I'll be able to offer some cash.