Our classes will be held online until further notice. Zoom links are sent out 3 days prior and then again 1 hour prior to class. Please note: our classes are LIVE. Some classes are recorded and available to watch online for one week, based on educator discretion. Interested in a private group class? Email us at education@sheboptheshop.com and let’s talk!
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Class cancellation policy: refund in the form of store credit if cancellation is at least 24 hours prior to the event. No day-of cancellations.
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Erotica 201: Writing & Publishing
April 30, 2022 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm PDT
This class will be held LIVE online via Zoom — you’ll receive an email with access information beforehand. The class will be recorded and available for a limited time shortly following the class. Registration deadline: 3 hours prior to class PST. No day-of cancellations.
In this three-hour virtual workshop, Rachel Kramer Bussel, professional erotica author and editor of over 70 anthologies, including The Big Book of Orgasms and the Best Women’s Erotica of the Year series, will take you through the ins and outs of modern erotic writing and explore how to make your sex scenes sizzle.
Rachel will teach you how to get started, make your erotic writing memorable, develop your voice, easily find story ideas, pen arousing sex scenes, and write from a wide range of perspectives. Through the use of writing prompts and examples from published erotica, you’ll discover how to incorporate everyday scenarios as well as outlandish fantasies into your writing, and make them fit for particular publications. Attendees will follow their characters through several scenes to explore how the characters and their sexuality evolve over time.
Unlike college, attendance at Rachel’s previous Erotica Writing 101 is NOT required! This class will cover some of the material of the 101 workshop but there will be plenty of new material too!
The first two hours of this workshop will be devoted to the craft of writing, while the final hour will cover the business side of erotic writing: using pseudonyms, how to find publications and submit your writing to editors and publishers, including anthologies, ebooks and print books, apps, magazines and websites, what editors are looking for, self-publishing, and establishing an author brand.
Please have paper and writing implements or a computer to use for writing exercises. You will have the option to share your work and ask questions. A bibliography with erotica resources and current calls for submissions will be provided via email. This workshop was designed for beginners to erotic writing, although those at any level may participate. No prior writing experience is required. All genders and sexualities are welcome.
Rachel Kramer Bussel is the editor of over 70 anthologies, including Come Again: Sex Toy Erotica, The Big Book of Orgasms, Dirty Dates, Going Down: Oral Sex Stories, and the Best Women’s Erotica of the Year series. Her writing has been published in over 100 anthologies, including Best American Erotica 2004 and 2006 edited by Susie Bright and Succulent: Chocolate Flava II and Purple Panties edited by Zane. She’s currently writing an erotica writing guide to be released in early 2023 and teaches erotica writing workshops around the world. Rachel consults about erotica and sex-related nonfiction at EroticaWriting101.com and writes widely about sex, dating, books and pop culture. Follow her on Twitter @raquelita.
We’re offering 2 free class spots to folks with financial need; please fill out this form if you are interested. Two people will be chosen randomly and contacted at least 2 weeks prior to class to confirm.