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RACHEL KRAMER BUSSEL
Rachel Kramer Bussel has been doing for “sex writing” what The Shins has done for Indie Rock. Her sexual prose is constructed with layers upon layers of exploratory insight, erotic imagery, and euphoric intensity. Bussel is the senior editor at Penthouse Variations, as well as a contributing editor to the world famous Penthouse magazine. Yet, quite notably, Bussel is also the editor of the popular anthology Best Sex Writing, an annual publication paying tribute to the sexual tales of the previous year. And with this anthology’s recent 2009 release, I became quite inquisitive to learn a bit more:
As the editor of BEST SEX WRITING 2009, what sort of sexual theme is expressed in this anthology?
RKB: There’s no specific theme in terms of topics, because I wanted to get a widespread look at what’s happening in sex today. But something the authors share is a way of looking at sex. There’s a sense of open-mindedness, of not saying, “I know the one true way to do it right,” which a lot of authors do. These authors raise questions about sex and don’t act like they have all the answers. They share personal experiences that aren’t all good or all bad (such as Tracie Egan’s rape fantasy enacted, and Dan Vebber finally losing his virginity). They are thought-provoking because they are so fearless and willing to look at several sides of a given issue or topic.
In the book’s introduction, you open with “Sex is everywhere.” And while that may be true, can you share some places and/or people who may need “sex” the most?
RKB: Definitely schools — as in, proper sex education that covers STIs and safety concerns, but also issues of sexual orientation, and sexuality in a more comprehensive way. There’s an essay in a book by Amanda Robb on purity balls, and teen pregnancy was a big issue this year even though we don’t get to it precisely in the book. I was fascinated by Dagmar Herzog’s “Soulgasm,” part of a chapter in her book Sex In Crisis, because it’s about how Christianity treats sex ed, and it’s not all doom and gloom. So religion definitely needs to become more realistic about sex, the fact that people do it, think about it, and want to know about it.
Politics, certainly, and
What was it like working with Brian Alexander? Any interesting literary tidbits?
RKB: Brian was extremely gracious and helpful to me in narrowing down the pieces we wanted to include and why. We worked via email and he was an excellent guide; I didn’t have a guest judge to bounce ideas off of last year, and I’m really glad I do now.
If you had control in selecting a contemporary sex book that were to be mandatory reading for all graduating college seniors, what piece of “sex writing” would you choose? Why?
RKB: Tough question! I like The Guide to Getting It On, which is huge, informative, and fun. College students especially are so curious about sex and yet don’t have many options about where to look. I don’t think everyone needs a sex how-to book though. It’s tough to pick any one book because some people are going to be into, say, the nitty-gritty of a given sex act and some will be sex nerds like me and want to read, say, Brian Alexander’s book America Unzipped: In Search of Sex and Satisfaction. So I’m going to say that I just would love if all college seniors read a book — any book — about sex! One that treats it with respect and teaches them about people whose sex lives aren’t like theirs. And anything by Susie Bright is sure to be an eye-opener.
Rachel Kramer Bussel and Brian Alexander have crafted an incredible anthology of sexual wonder. Best Sex Writing 2009 is now available from CLEIS PRESS. Buy a copy and explore the provocative writing of Tracie Egan, Violet Blue, Dagmar Herzog, Dan Vebber, and other sexual literary writers of today.
FOR MORE INFO:
Rodriguez BLOG: http://tony-r-rodriguez.blogspot.com
Rodriguez EMAIL: tonyrodriguez@hotmail.com
Bussel WEBSITE: http://www.rachelkramerbussel.com
Bussel EMAIL: rachelkramerbussel at gmail.com
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