Coming Together

Share the Love!

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

It starts one week from today, on February 1st, and lasts the entire month! At the end of the month, someone will win a Kindle Fire. Someone else will win $50 ebook bucks from All Romance eBooks. There will be sexy excerpts, prizes, and daily posts from 29 of Coming Together's over 200 contributors.

Where is this incredible blog bash? It's being hosted by Coming Together Presents editor, Lisabet Sarai, on her Beyond Romance blog. Make sure to visit on February 1st to learn how you can win!

Occupy Coming Together

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

AVAILABLE NOW: Two titles to benefit the occupy movement! We are the 99 cents... erm, percent!

Who knew bonds were that risky? When she lost her shirt in the market, Jessie was halfway to her new career. She just needed a stop-gap, a breather before she found another job. Her rent was past due, and the only assets she could depend on for a good return were her body, which was guaranteed to earn interest, and her adventurous spirit. When she meets her trick, Jessie finds herself in a delicious triangle of sex that just might pay the bills. (4,200 words)

All Romance eBooks | Amazon | Smashwords

+ + +

Every full moon, the folk who live under the ocean waves come together in the shallows to reenact their rituals of life and desire. But poor Umbriel stays always away, trapped in dreams of being human. In "Gravity," Gayle C. Strain re-imagines one of the world's favorite fairy tales as an epic of lust and tragedy, of the passion that burns the boundaries between worlds. (7,540 words)

All Romance eBooks |Amazon | Smashwords

In Flux

2011-10-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Coming Together: In Flux is a multi-author anthology of erotic fiction edited by Nobilis Reed.The theme of this anthology is transformation of the body or mind. We're not talking about something as easy as changing jobs, changing homes, or even becoming a lifestyle submissive. This is about what happens to your personal and sexual experience when your body or mind changes in some fundamental way, whether natural, artificial, or supernatural. Sales proceeds and related donations will benefit the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, whose mission is to affirm sexual freedom as a fundamental human right.

Available now digitally at: Smashwords, All Romance eBooks, OmniLit and Amazon. (Paperback coming soon to CreateSpace and Amazon.)

Coming Together: In Flux contains:

Lawman - Angela Caperton
Final Note - Shanna Germain
Actual Size - Nobilis Reed
Love Everlasting - Skylar Sinclair
Ready - Xan West
Upgrade - Peter Tupper
Meltdown - Ann Regentin
Transformative - Kissiah Aiken
Explosion - Nobilis Reed
Water Shaman - Jhada Addams
Unlock my Heart - R Taylor
Three Moons - Mildred Cady
Feast of the Incarnations - Gayle Straun

Adapting to Change

2011-09-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

It's no secret that ebooks are changing the publishing world. Self-publishing, both in ebook and print, is having a significant impact as well. Anthologies don't seem to be as attractive -- to readers OR authors -- as they once were. Thus, Coming Together is shifting its publishing model.

We are now accepting submissions of 5,000 to 20,000 word stories for individual ebook publication. Authors can select one of our many existing charities or suggest a new one. Each accepted manuscript will receive its own cover art and will be professionally edited prior to release.

Since Coming Together does not ask for exclusivity, the author can also submit the story to anthologies not seeking first print or exclusive rights. Coming Together also welcomes reprints as long as the author owns the rights.

One of our lines, Neat, allows authors to essentially "launder" their royalties by first having them loaned via Kiva. Given that some Coming Together vendors have waived their commissions, this is a sweet option 'cause 100% of the sale price comes back to us! After the loan is repaid, the authors can take their money and run... or continue to loan it.

So, leverage your words for good. Practice erotic altruism by submitting to Coming Together. Erotica is preferred, but we will consider quality fiction in any genre.

Query by completing the form located HERE. Thanks!

Great Review for Presents: C. Sanchez-Garcia

2011-09-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

Reviewed By: Ashley Lister on EROTICA REVEALED

The Coming Together anthologies are probably one of the worthiest causes in contemporary literature. To date the single author collections have included M. Christian, Rob Buckley and Remittance Girl, edited under the aegis of the incomparable Lisabet Sarai. Anthologies of erotic short stories, that benefit charitable causes, allow readers to contribute to something worthy and enjoy the pleasure of erotic literature all for the same price. It’s like chocolate flavoured sex with a bonus of cash presented at the enormously satisfactory conclusion: it simply cannot get any better.

The proceeds from Coming Together Presents C. Sanchez-Garcia will benefit the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). RAINN is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization. It operates a national hotline, educates the public about sexual assault; and leads national efforts to prevent sexual assault, improve services to victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.

But Coming Together Presents C. Sanchez-Garcia would be worth buying without the benefit of supporting a worthy cause. Coming Together Presents C. Sanchez-Garcia is a bloody good book.

Because this is a collection of short stories, I’ll begin by saying that the quality is consistent and high, even though the approach varies in a range of eclectic styles and considered approaches.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

Introducing TABOOTY!

2011-04-19T15:00:00.002-04:00

Inspired by Amazon.com's blocking of certain titles due to the fact that they contain incest, Coming Together: Tabooty is an ebook line featuring taboo relationships. Tabooty will feature erotic fiction considered taboo by current social standards. This includes not only incest but unusual fetishes and/or sex with clergy. Regardless of the taboo, all material will involve: (a) consensual relationships and (b) participants of legal age. There will be no sexual activity involving minors and no coercion (i.e., blackmail, rape, etc.). Reprints are welcome as long as the author holds the rights.

ALL proceeds from the sale of Coming Together: Tabooty titles will benefit the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom Foundation. While there are currently no plans to take this series to print, it is possible that several stories may be combined into a print anthology at some point. Titles may also be recorded for podcast & sale via Coming Together: Out Loud.

Each title will have distribution through Smashwords (and its partners: Barnes & Noble, Fictionwise, Sony, Apple iBookStore), All Romance eBooks, OmniLit, and Scribd. These titles will not be available from Amazon. Kindle users can purchase the MOBI version from All Romance eBooks, Coming Together's preferred ebook vendor.

To launch the Tabooty line, we have the following titles from two terrific authors:

WHISPERED WORDS by Celia Kyle

Tolerance isn’t just the name of a small city in Georgia. It’s a way of life...

Jax and Abram are twins, each other’s life rafts in life. Through their parent’s death, foster homes, and the streets, they’ve clung to one another. Now they’re wondering if there’s something more.

Burke’s known the twins for years. Wanted them just as long. When they stay after closing one night, dancing, twining, whispering words he can’t hear... He’s ready to push things a littler further. Except the boys have something else in mind when they draw him into their relationship.

A BREED APART by Lisabet Sarai

Rachel’s future as a governess is uncertain, a victim of her own desires and an unscrupulous former employer. So when a chance to revive her career appears, she can’t afford to question it, even when those questions are valid. A remote location, a couple who seem more suited to posh London society than the country, and a sweet, smart young charge who immediately feels like a daughter.

The couple are not only willing to overlook Rachel’s lascivious past, they act as though they can accept and forgive it. Their beauty and presence stirs forbidden cravings in ways her Thomas never could. Everything seems like a dream come true.

Which is exactly what makes Rachel afraid.

With Sommer

2011-04-14T15:00:00.002-04:00

The one & only Sommer Marsden brings us Coming Together: With Sommer!

Psychic medium Martee Hollywood and the Seekers tackle three cases in this compilation to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Together, they face a house full of lusty ghosts who don't want to cross over, an Indian girl who lost her love and then her life, and a mysterious intruder who can't seem to be hurt or stopped -- all while falling in love, into bed, and into one strange case after another. The paranormal world has never been sexier.

AVAILABLE NOW:

Coming soon to B&N, Sony, Kobo, Diesel, and Apple's iBookstore.

Audiogasm

2011-04-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

Coming Together's audio titles which have been featured on Nobilis' erotica podcast are now being made available via Podiobooks where listeners can download them for free & donate if the earth moves. ;-)

Presents: Robert Buckley

2011-03-16T07:00:00.017-04:00

The latest volume in the pretigious Presents series, edited by Lisabet Sarai, is now available from Coming Together & all major online bookstores!

Veteran erotica author Robert Buckley serves up a generous helping of erotica noir, featuring gangsters and private dicks, pimps and whores, cops and other sundry enforcers, each one more hard-boiled than the next. These vivid tales feature raw and graphic sex, along with violence, terror and betrayal. At the same time, they overflow with heart. Rough justice usually prevails, where the true evil-doers, the ones without souls, receive punishment, and the poor sinners who are capable of compassion get at least a chance at redemption. Coming Together Presents: Robert Buckley is a generous, arousing slice of life, well-seasoned with history and a dash of the paranormal.

EBOOK (978-1-4581-1833-2) AVAILABLE NOW FROM:
All Romance / OmniLit ~ Smashwords ~ Amazon

PAPERBACK (978-1-4515-6073-2) AVAILABLE NOW FROM:
Create Space ~ Amazon

On Caps & Feathers

2011-03-14T10:00:00.027-04:00

Coming Together is delighted to report that it has won another award! This time, it was at EPICon 2011 for Coming Together: Into the Light as best erotic anthology!

Into the Light joins Against the Odds as an EPIC eBook Award winner. For the Cure and Pondering the Indelible were also finalists for these awards.

doing good while being bad,

~ Alessia Brio

editor

Wicked Prey

2011-02-23T10:24:00.002-05:00

Wicked Prey by Celia Kyle is the first title in an ebook line of interracial erotic fiction called Coming Together: Colors. ALL proceeds from the sale of Coming Together: Colors titles will benefit The Eracism Foundation.

Arria moves through life, a fierce predator slithering amongst the prey. Or is she? Even the fiercest hunter can become the hunted. The pursued. The captured. The killed. But what if she wants to be snared?

This short story is one of contrasts, the differences between predator and prey, hints of domination & submission and want & need between lovers. There's a certain glory in the differences in their colors, but their cultural contrasts relate to their animal counterparts and not those that may appear in a contemporary work, addressing current stereotypes.

Arria is a black mamba, one of the deadliest, yet vulnerable, snakes known to man, while Liv is a goshawk, a natural predator of snakes. They could--should--kill one another yet can't fight the attraction, or the risk associated with becoming close. Their sex is primal, fierce, and loving, constantly changing with the ebb and flow of their control over each other. (6,990 words)

Available now via ARe, OmniLit, and Smashwords. Coming soon to Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Sony, Apple's iBookStore, and Diesel eBooks.

New Release in the Neat Line

2011-01-27T09:00:00.016-05:00

AVAILABLE NOW at ARe, Smashwords, and Amazon!

Here's what Neat's editor, Will Belegon, posted on his blog:

Giselle Renarde's Tangled Roots is a multilayered tale about Simone, who has come to a crossroads in her life. In order to move forward, she is going to have to chose more than just a path right or left... she is going to have to confront the heritage and the past that has caught up to her at last.

Moses, the main male protagonist, is both what she wants and what she most fears. He will challenge both her assumptions and her misconceptions... and force her out of a comfort zone that has been holding her back in ways she has both cultivated and in areas of which she is completely unaware.

The short length of this piece does not keep it from being a complex, well thought-out journey through Simone's past and her state of mind. It also addresses the subject of race and pride from an internal perspective, exploring how the outward assumptions of those around Simone shape her world and affect not only how she treats others, but her own sense of worth.

A good read for a good cause; all Coming Together:Neat proceeds are used to fund micro-loans through Kiva. This work is also available through eXcessica, and if you think it sounds familiar, you might own it already.

Over the Rainbow

2011-01-24T00:00:00.006-05:00

Available now! Coming Together: Over the Rainbow is a 200-page x9 journal (right side lined, left side unlined & interspersed with inspirational words of encouragement and empowerment). 100% of sales proceeds benefit the It Gets Better Project.

PUBLISHER COMING TOGETHER
AVAILABLE NOW
HARDCOVER ISBN 978-1-4583-4709-1
PAPERBACK ISBN 978-1-4609-6283-1
WHERE TO BUY HARDCOVER
Lulu ~~$29.99~~ $22.49 (Save 25% + maximize revenue)
Coming soon to:
Amazon | B&N | Borders | Powell's | Books-a-Million
WHERE TO BUY PAPERBACK ($15)
CreateSpace (maximizes revenue)
Amazon
Coming soon to:
B&N | Borders | Powell's | Books-a-Million

Coming Together titles fall victim to Amazon's Kindle purge

2010-12-15T09:00:00.044-05:00

I'm sure by now most of you have seen the shit storm involving the deletion of certain erotic incest titles from the Kindle bookstore (and from the archives of those who'd purchased those titles). Selena Kitt (one of Coming Together's contributors and also, via eXcessica, publisher of several Coming Together titles on Amazon) blogged about it:

http://theselfpublishingrevolution.blogspot.com/2010/12/amazon-in-book-banning-business.html

This blog post was picked up by J.A. Konrath on his self-publishing blog, where it's gotten a cubic buttload of comments:

http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/12/guest-post-by-selena-kitt.html

Teleread also covered the matter:

http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/amazon-removes-incest-related-erotica-titles-from-store-kindle-archive/

...as well as a Slashdot post:

http://yro.slashdot.org/submission/1417578/Amazon-taking-down-erotica-removing-from-Kindles

The Coming Together ebook titles which were removed are:

Coming Together: The Erotic Cocktail volumes 1-3 (benefits EFF)
Coming Together: For Her (benefits NOW)
Coming Together: Special Memorial Edition - Colleen Thomas (benefits Hospice of Orange Co)
Coming Together: Pondering the Indelible (benefits First Book)
Coming Together: For Gabrielle (benefits BLISS)

Print versions are still available from Amazon (as, I assume, only eXcessica has been targeted & I pubbed the paperbacks myself through our Create Space account).

Of note, there *are* a couple incest-related short stories in the early volumes. Yui's "Sex & Candy" (v1) & 4degrees' "Does Not Do Well in Public" (v3) come to mind. Both deal with consensual ADULT sibling incest.

The ebook versions of these titles are still readily available at All Romance (ARe is Coming Together's preferred vendor 'cause 100% of the purchase price goes to charity. No commission is charged.) plus Smashwords & its growing distribution network (B&N, Kobo, Sony, Diesel, Apple's iBookstore). So, if you blog/tweet/Facebook/rant about this, please direct your readers to ARe and the other vendors.

Stay tuned. Updates will be posted here, in the comments. Happy Holidays, y'all.

peace & passion,

~ Alessia Brio

editor

Coming Together

Traveling through Time

2010-11-20T00:00:00.010-05:00

The submission deadline for Coming Together: Through Time, a collection of time travel erotica to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphona Society, has been extended until February 28, 2011.

We're seeking stories up to 10K words & poetry with a time travel theme. Exclusivity is not required as long as the author owns the rights. (No simultaneous submissions, please.)

The Award formerly known as EPPIE

2010-11-16T00:00:00.013-05:00

COMING TOGETHER is delighted to announce that Coming Together: Into the Light has been named as a finalist in the 2011 EPIC Ebook Awards (formerly known as the EPPIES). The awards banquet will be held at EPICon in Williamsburg, Virginia (March 2011).

Coming Together: Into the Light is a collection of diverse erotic fiction by some of the hottest names in the genre. The theme of this volume is the revelation of secrets, and it features a moving Introduction penned by the one and only Candida Royalle! ALL royalties from the sale of this volume will benefit V-Day, which works to end violence against women and children.

100% OF YOUR PURCHASE PRICE OF COMING TOGETHER TITLES FROM ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS GOES TO CHARITY!

By Hand

2010-11-14T00:00:00.016-05:00

Released in ebook today! Coming Together: By Hand is a collection of auto-erotic fiction to benefit the Coalition for Positive Sexuality. Contributors include:

Lisabet Sarai
Robert Buckley
Allison Wonderland
Arya Rewan
Heidi Champa
Jenna Byrnes
Jean Roberta
Giselle Renarde
Rachel Kramer Bussel
Michelle Houston
Heather Lin
Raziel Moore a/k/a Monocle
T. Highwayman
Thelonius Sexton
Max Lagos
Roger Smith
Alessia Brio

AVAILABLE NOW FROM ALL ROMANCE and SMASHWORDS!

Presents: C. Sanchez-Garcia

2010-09-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

The latest volume in Coming Together Presents, the single author series edited by Lisabet Sarai, Coming Together Presents C. Sanchez-Garcia, is now available from All Romance eBooks & Smashwords! It will soon also be available via Amazon (in both print & Kindle ebook), Apple's iPad bookstore, Barnes & Noble, and Sony.

This original collection of erotic fiction includes stories that will make you laugh and others that will chill you to the bone. Some stories are outrageously arousing; others are tender and intense.

All proceeds benefit the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN). Get your copy today!

Auto-Erotic Altruism

2010-08-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Coming Together is pleased to announce the contents of its next anthology! This collection of stories with a masturbatory theme features many Coming Together veterans as well as 4 Coming Together virgins.

Tresspass (Lisabet Sarai)
Start without Me (Raziel Moore (a/k/a Monocle))
You First (Roger Smith)
The Brotherhood of the Hand (Robert Buckley)
Thank God It's Friday (T. Highwayman)
Webcam Amateur (Giselle Renarde)
Quite Contrary (Allison Wonderland)
Through the Walls Dreaming (Michelle Houston)
Moonlight and a Pair of Panties (Arya Rewan)
That Next Time (Thelonius Sexton)
A Stolen Moment (Heidi Champa)
Aftercare (Maximilian Lagos)
Hibernation (Jean Roberta)
Home Again (Jean Roberta)
Bathroom Witch and the Birthday Boy (Giselle Renarde)
Moving Day (Jenna Byrnes)
Young & Crazy (Heather Lin)
Love's Tender Gender Bender (C. Sanchez Garcia)
Like This (Rachel Kramer Bussel)
Digital Manipulation (Alessia Brio)

Release is planned for Fall 2010 in ebook. Proceeds benefit the Coalition for Positive Sexuality.

Aurally Yours

2010-05-27T10:00:00.005-04:00

Check out what's new on the Coming Together audio front! Contributing author & podcaster extraordinaire, Nobilis, is featuring a Coming Together story from one of the anthologies each month! He's pulled together some awesome vocal talent to do justice to our sexy shorts. You can listen for free on Nobilis' podcast site, or you can purchase the MP3 files for just 69 cents to download to your computer or portable device(s) for offline listening!

Leget's Despair

2010-05-19T14:00:00.002-04:00

In pursuit of dreams, men venture beyond the world of their experience. Leget is such a man. Powerful and talented, he is also an innocent. Not sexually, but morally. He believes in simple answers to complex questions. Luckily, he has a guide and a protector.

Lancelot, hero of legend, is less naïve. Yet he finds his world view challenged by the honesty and beauty of young Leget and determines to bring the boy to Camelot. On their journey, Lancelot will remember things he had forgotten and discover that he is still capable of love.

Leget's Despair is a homoerotic tale of a knight and a hopeful squire who share more than a campsite; in which the simple honor of a country lad is tested to its breaking point. Leget will discover both the good and the evil in the world. On the road to Camelot, he will find companionship and the hope of a life more exciting than farming. He will also find that even a hero cannot protect him from everything, and that politics is quite literally a deadly business.

* * *

Coming Together: Neat is an ebook-only line of novella-length (10K-50K word) single titles edited by Will Belegon. As with all Coming Together publications, diversity is the keyword. Thus, all colors and flavors of erotic fiction are welcome.

ALL proceeds from the sales of Coming Together: Neat titles will be placed in a microlending account at Kiva (www.kiva.org), where they will help entrepreneurs in 3rd world countries launch or expand their businesses.

The contributing authors are encouraged to manage the microlending of their proceeds by joining Neat's Kiva lending team.

For more information, visit:

http://www.eroticanthology.com/neat.htm

First Served, First Come

2010-04-28T00:00:00.005-04:00

The latest collection of erotica, poetry, and erotic romance in the Coming Together series has a ménage theme. Coming Together: As One benefits ONE, the campaign to end global poverty.

The back cover reads:

For the lovers who believe three is not a crowd, crave (at least) eight arms to hold them, and often consult the Twister mat for new position ideas, this book is for you. While some might argue that love and passion are best experienced one-on-one, this collection of trysts and verse will allow you to experience a more lascivious concept of sex as a "team effort." You don't have to be a swinger to appreciate these stories, but we hope you'll open your minds to new levels of sensual sharing and quality writing that proves many hearts can come together... as one.
~ Leigh Ellwood
LeighEllwood.com

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2010-03-02T20:00:00.005-05:00

In case you hadn't noticed, Coming Together recently took flight, opting to self-publish its charity anthologies rather than placing them under a publisher's umbrella. In the process, in addition to the direct buy links changing, several titles received new (sexier) cover art. Now that all six of the re-released titles are available through Coming Together's bestselling outlets, we are pleased to share with you the new links to buy. Of course, you can also now purchase directly from Coming Together via our Google Checkout store.

Coming Together: Against the Odds is a mystery-themed collection which benefits Autism Speaks.

Available in ebook now at: ARe & Amazon Kindle
and in print from: CreateSpace & Amazon

Coming Together: For the Cure is a diverse collection of erotic fiction which benefits Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

Available in ebook now at: ARe & Amazon Kindle
and in print from: CreateSpace & Amazon

Coming Together: With Pride is a diverse collection of erotic fiction which benefits AVERT, an HIV/AIDS research & prevention charity.

Available in ebook now at: ARe & Amazon Kindle
and in print from: CreateSpace & Amazon

Coming Together: Under Fire is a heat-themed collection of erotic fiction & poetry which benefits the victims of the Southern California wildfires of 2007.

Available in ebook now at: ARe & Amazon Kindle
and in print from: CreateSpace & Amazon

Coming Together: At Last is a 2-volume set of interracial erotic fiction & poetry which benefits Amnesty International.

VOLUME 1:
Available in ebook now at: ARe & Amazon Kindle
and in print from: CreateSpace & Amazon

VOLUME 2:
Available in ebook now at: ARe & Amazon Kindle
and in print from: CreateSpace & Amazon

Finger Food

2010-03-02T09:00:00.007-05:00

Coming Together launches its line of 99 cent appetizers with Helen E.H. Madden's "Afternoon of a Faun."

The Hors d'Ouvres line consists of single stories from Coming Together collections. Each benefits the same charity as the anthology from which it originates.

"Afternoon of a Faun" appears in Coming Together: Al Fresco, which benefits Conservation International. It is a delightful tale (tail?) of empowerment and revenge featuring a mythical creature with an insatiable appetite. (M/M)

Available exclusively at All Romance eBooks!

Presents: Remittance Girl

2010-02-19T05:00:00.001-05:00

Presents is Coming Together's elite line of single-author titles edited by Lisabet Sarai. ALL proceeds from their sales will benefit the charities selected by their authors. In this volume, Coming Together is delighted to present Remittance Girl, whose chosen charity is the ACLU.

Coming Together Presents: Remittance Girl collects seventeen erotic stories by the mysterious and reclusive Remittance Girl. Open the cover and enjoy incredible tales of twisted desire and overwhelming lust, intricate and perfect as some Chinese jade carving.

An expat living in Vietnam, RG deftly captures the realities of life in Southeast Asia: the debilitating heat and humidity, the riotous energy and color and the loneliness of being an outsider. However, she's equally at home in gritty British suburbia or the beaches of the Costa del Sol.

Don’t expect light-hearted tales of playful sex from RG’s pen. Don’t expect romance—though sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish true love from satisfied desire. Be ready for tales with an edge, with a sting, and occasionally, with a moral. While many of RG’s stories are vividly realistic, some of her offerings are fables: unsanitized, old-fashioned fairy tales that retain a taste of terror.

RG’s writing strikes to the heart of the erotic. Her sex is strong and messy and real. She is not afraid to explore the darkest, rawest fantasies. When she writes kink, it’s not fashionable sex games—it is inevitable, compelling, inescapable, cutting to the core of her characters.

BUY NOW FROM THESE PREFERRED VENDORS: EBOOK ~ PAPERBACK

Neat: Ryder's Mate

2010-02-04T06:00:00.002-05:00

Coming Together announces a new release in its Neat line of novellas to benefit Kiva:

Ryder James knows from the moment he meets Jesse Krantz that Jesse is trouble. Figuring out what kind of trouble is not so easy. Ryder knows his duty: to protect the people of Sanctuary, Michigan. Period. If that means ignoring his instant attraction toward the impetuous young man, so be it.

Jesse Krantz is looking for explanations – or revenge. Will the truth he finds in Sanctuary end his life or save it?

Coming Together: Neat is proud to present erotic paranormal author Wendy Stone's first venture into gay male romance with a tale of two men who want very different things – but also want each other.

SMASHWORDS | SCRIBD | ARe | AMAZON

Presents: M. Christian

2010-02-03T09:00:00.020-05:00

Coming Together is thrilled to announce the release of the first title in its elite Presents line of full length, single-author titles edited by Lisabet Sarai.

Coming Together Presents: M. Christian benefits Planned Parenthood and is now available from the following online vendors:

Coming Together: Into the Light released!

2010-01-19T06:00:00.021-05:00

100% OF YOUR PURCHASE PRICE OF COMING TOGETHER TITLES FROM ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS GOES TO CHARITY!

Coming Together: Into the Light is a collection of diverse erotic fiction by some of the hottest names in the genre. The theme of this volume is the revelation of secrets, and it features a moving Introduction penned by the one and only Candida Royalle! ALL royalties from the sale of this volume will benefit V-Day, which works to end violence against women and children.

V-Day has a presence in Haiti in the form of a shelter for battered women. It needs your help now more than ever. Your purchase of this book is just one way to contribute.

Available NOW for just $4.99 at ARe!

In memory of Myriam Merlet, Haitian Feminist Leader (1956 - 2010)

We Still Have a Dream

2010-01-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

One year ago today, as we celebrated the life work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we also celebrated the release of Coming Together: At Last, a two-volume set to benefit Amnesty International. It has become Coming Together's best-selling collection.

With an introduction by NYT Bestselling Author L.A. Banks, volumes 1 and 2 feature stories by Bridget Midway, Saskia Walker, Seressia Glass, Aliyah Burke, Alessia Brio and Will Belegon, and many more!

...

Later today, hopefully, we will celebrate the release of the next collection, Coming Together: Into the Light.

peace & passion,

~ Alessia Brio

Editor, Coming Together

The More, the Merrier

2010-01-12T09:00:00.005-05:00

Coming Together is pleased to announce the contents of its upcoming release, Coming Together: As One, a collection of erotic fiction and poetry to benefit ONE:

Introduction (Samantha Kane)
Doing Shelly's Dishes (Will Belegon)
Double the Pleasure (Victoria Blisse)
The Hunt (Annabeth Leong)
The Rapture (C. Sanchez-Garcia)
Ménage à Denim (Jeremy Edwards)
May the Best Man Win (Skylar Kade)
My Heroes (Annemarie Hartnett)
Sleeper Car (Maximilian Lagos)
The Things That Go on at Siesta Time (Saskia Walker)
Poets (Daniel Burnell)
Daring Hearts (Leigh Ellwood)
Cunning Little Vixens (Giselle Renarde)
Farmer's Market Surprise (Jolene Hui)
Neapolitan (Allison Wonderland)
Tailor Made (DC Juris)
Cold Turkey (Heidi Champa)
Detente (Lisabet Sarai)
Euphoria (Angeleque Ford)
Threesome (Angeleque Ford)
When Three Become One (Angeleque Ford)
One (Ramona Thompson)
The Actress (Lily Harlem)
The Equinox Inside Her (L.A. Mistral)
Guys, Like Gelato (L.A. Mistral)
Light to Share (L.A. Mistral)

Coming Together: As One will be released concurrently in ebook and print in April 2010 from Phaze Books.

Two EPIC eBook Awards Finalists!

2009-11-21T21:00:00.001-05:00

Coming Together is delighted to announce that it has TWO titles which have reached the finals in EPIC's 2010 eBook Awards (formerly known as the EPPIEs). The winners will be announced at EPICon in New Orleans in March.

Coming Together: Against the Odds (in the erotica/erotic romance anthology category) which benefits Autism Speaks.

Coming Together: Pondering the Indelible by Lefty McGee (in the poetry category) which benefits First Book.

For Her!

2009-11-16T08:00:00.011-05:00

Coming Together: For Her is a collection of erotic fiction by the prolific Laurence Doyen, jointly edited by Lisabet Sarai and Alessia Brio. Proceeds benefit the National Organization for Women (NOW).

AVAILABLE NOW AT:

ARe (ebook)
eXcessica (ebook)
Scribd (ebook)
Smashwords (ebook)
1Re (ebook)
CreateSpace/Amazon (print)

November is Prematurity Awareness Month

2009-11-01T10:00:00.004-05:00

For three days in the fall of 2006, an Internet writers' community came together in a heart rending vigil for a tiny baby girl, born before her time and taken from this world far too soon. In her precious hours with us, however, Gabrielle reached more hearts than most people do in decades. Her life was not measured by the number of breaths she took but was measured by the depths of compassion she inspired.

Anyone who bore witness to this event can never again claim that online relationships are not real—or that they are in any way, shape, or form lesser than those taking place offline. The virtual candles glowed just as brightly, the e-hugs were just as warm, and the abundance of love just as palpable. I know that I, for one, will never be the same.

Many of the stories and poetry contained in this volume of Coming Together were written in the wake of Gabrielle's passing. Proceeds from its sale will be donated to BLISS, the U.K.'s premature baby charity.

Your purchase will help the next baby who leaves the womb too soon take more breaths and touch more lives. Thank you.

Alessia Brio
editor

BAD 2009: Climate Change

2009-10-15T10:00:00.014-04:00

The writers forum I most often frequent is a varied and interesting place. It has been the proving ground for some wonderful amateur writers who have become professionals, an incubator for Coming Together, and the meeting place of many who have subsequently taken their virtual relationships into meat space. (Will Belegon and I met there, for example, and now he's upstairs. We still often post and tweet at one another to communicate, though.)

Anywhere passionate, intelligent eroticists congregate is going to have passionate, intelligent conversation, and -- amazingly -- not all will involve sex. One of the topics that always inspires "lively" (read: contentious) discussion is climate change. It gets quite nasty in the global warming threads. Folks feel strongly about this subject.

From my perspective, there's no question that we must take steps to attempt to slow this climate change process. It doesn't matter to me if it's a cyclic occurrence or if it's entirely the fault of man or (as I believe) a combination of the two, the fact remains that our environment is changing in ways that I find unacceptable. We can do much to ameliorate the damage.

I'm extraordinarily proud that Coming Together has published a volume of sexy stories to benefit Conservation International. The authors who contributed their work are some of the finest in the genre. I'm thrilled that All Romance eBooks (which is the ONLY place you can buy Al Fresco) has waived its cut of the proceeds so that ALL of the revenue from each sale goes to the cause. Appropriately, the collection is only available as an ebook. There is no dead-tree guilt involved with the production or consumption of this book.

Yes, it's priced high ($10) for an ebook, BUT 100% of every purchase goes to protect rainforest acreage via Conservation International. Just think, you get the enjoyment of a book full of outdoor sex stories by some fine authors AND you protect two-thirds of an acre of rainforest at the same time. WIN-WIN!

peace and passion,

~ Alessia Brio

editor

Dealing with Isabella, by Jenna Byrnes

2009-10-03T14:00:00.026-04:00

The first release in the new Neat line of novella-length ebooks, which benefits Kiva!

Dealing with Isabella

Jason Walden is drawn to the mansion sitting high on a hill in West Seattle and even more drawn to the house's beautiful owner.

Sabrina Kane is gorgeous but uptight and straight-laced. Her twin sister, Isabella, is equally beautiful, but exactly the opposite: foot-loose and fancy-free.

The quiet twin captures Jason's interest, and as he paints their mansion on canvas, he imagines building a life with her. As details from her past emerge, he discovers that before he can move forward with Sabrina, he must first handle Dealing with Isabella.

Available at these fine sites:

Coming Together Presents

2009-09-03T15:00:00.004-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
COMING TOGETHER launches elite line of single-author collections

PITTSBURGH, PA – September 3, 2009 – To complement its recently-unveiled novella ebook line, COMING TOGETHER today announced Coming Together Presents, a line of full-length works to be released in both print and ebook. Each title in this line will benefit a charity chosen by its author. The line will be edited by renowned erotica author Lisabet Sarai.

"I was absolutely thrilled when Lisabet agreed to tackle this project!" said Coming Together's Alessia Brio. "She's in charge of who & what gets published and will set her own pace. I have total confidence in her ability to select quality work & polish it to its highest shine."

Sarai, whose credentials as both a writer and an editor are impressive, is no stranger to Coming Together. Her exceptional stories are featured in several volumes.

With the trademark erotic cocktail anthologies accepting material under ten thousand words and Coming Together: Neat publishing novellas between ten and fifty thousand words, the latest addition means the ground-breaking organization's erotic altruism now covers work of any length. The organization has always prided itself on the diversity of its fiction and hopes its recent expansions will diversify its audience by capturing the attention of readers who follow particular authors.

For the time being, publication under Coming Together Presents is by invitation only, but Brio hopes to institute a query process like that used for its new ebook line. Presents will launch with three titles by three stellar wordsmiths: M. Christian, C. Sanchez-Garcia, and Remittance Girl. Their collections will benefit Planned Parenthood, RAINN, and the ACLU, respectively.

Brio is thrilled with the charities selected. "They're wonderful additions to Coming Together's diverse family of causes without being duplicative. And the authors? I couldn't ask for a better starting lineup!"

About her contribution, Remittance Girl said, "These stories were written in the shadows, in a place where the rights of the individual and freedom of speech have no protection under the law. I have admired the 'Coming Together' collections for a very long time. It gives me great pleasure to know that the proceeds of this collection will go to support the ACLU, an organization defending those very rights with such dedication."

"I'm extremely pleased to be with the great and talented folks at Coming Together -- and to have an opportunity to support Planned Parenthood," adds Christian. "As Margaret Sanger, Planned Parenthood's founder, said: 'No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.'"

When asked why he selected RAINN, the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network, Sanchez-Garcia replied, "Because I've always believed Woman is the ultimate fountain of pleasure for Man and the worst sin against God and nature you can do is abuse her."

COMING TOGETHER is a registered, voluntary nonprofit association governed by a board of directors. It was launched in June 2005 to provide a venue for rising talent while simultaneously raising money for worthwhile causes. To date, it has published 13 volumes of erotic fiction & poetry featuring the work of over 165 authors, poets, and illustrators.

CONTACT:

Alessia Brio, founder & managing editor
412.254-3324 (voice/SMS)
866.837-6407 (fax)
presents [at] eroticanthology.com
http://www.eroticanthology.com/presents.htm

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http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3MKidA3bKe5N2RlNjc4MGMtYjc1NS00NGNjLWI1MTMtMDU1MjgyNGU4MDU4&hl=en

Neat Oh!

2009-08-30T06:00:00.007-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
COMING TOGETHER launches line of single-title ebooks

PITTSBURGH, PA – August 30, 2009 – In keeping with its altruistic focus, COMING TOGETHER, unveiled today plans to publish individual ebook titles to benefit Kiva. The line, entitled Coming Together: Neat, will be edited by Will Belegon and feature novella-length erotic romance and erotica.

"We like to keep submissions under ten thousand words for the anthologies so we can include more stories," notes founder & managing editor Alessia Brio, "but I've encountered quite a few authors who've said they'd like to contribute longer work. Well, now's their chance!"

Known primarily for its diverse short story collections, Coming Together bills itself as the erotic cocktail. The new line's title plays on that theme, with Neat referring to an undiluted intoxicant. Authors are encouraged to query using an automated form via Neat's web page at eroticanthology.com/neat.htm

As with all Coming Together publications, 100% of the royalties are donated to charity. The choice of Kiva as Neat's beneficiary was driven by the desire to maximize the impact of each release while allowing authors the opportunity to be involved in the process. Kiva engages in micro-lending, where small amounts can achieve a disproportionate yield. Authors will be encouraged to choose who receives their book's earnings in the form of a Kiva loan. When that loan is repaid, the author will have the opportunity to choose another recipient.

"The decision to explore micro-lending is exciting," says editor Will Belegon. "These types of loans have considerable potential, especially in our planet's most impoverished areas. A couple hundred dollars is negligible in the United States, but that same amount has a much greater reach in less economically powerful nations."

Belegon, a member of Coming Together's Board of Directors, has been involved since its inception. In addition to fiction and poetry, he assisted in the publication of Coming Together: Under Fire. With wildfires again raging in Southern California, the announcement of the new line also serves as a reminder that Under Fire is still available, and the charities it serves are again in need.

"Will was the obvious choice to manage this line," Brio says. "He is the best continuity editor I've ever encountered. No historical inaccuracy, weapon misuse, or sports faux pas is going to get past him. Plus, he has a great rapport with his authors."

CONTACT:

Will Belegon, Neat editor
Alessia Brio, founder & managing editor
412.254-3324 (voice/SMS)
866.837-6407 (fax)
neat@eroticanthology.com

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http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3MKidA3bKe5ODJkNjI2ZmEtNTMxNy00ZWZlLWJjOGQtM2YwZWNkYjlhODhk&hl=en

Into the Light contents set

2009-08-06T17:00:00.000-04:00

I am thrilled to announce the contents of Coming Together: Into the Light, a collection of revelation-themed erotic fiction that will be published by Phaze Books in January 2010. This volume will benefit V-Day, which works to end violence against women & children.

Introduction (Candida Royalle)
A Compromising Position (Saskia Walker)
Doesn't Matter (Celia Kyle)
Far From Ordinary (Jenna Byrnes)
Foundling (Brenna Lyons)
How Paradise Comes to the Blind (C. Sanchez-Garcia)
Involuntarily (Jeremy Edwards)
Jake (Alessia Brio)
Past or Present (Heidi Champa)
Samers (Gregory L. Norris)
Sand and Steel (Shanna Germain)
Smut Puppy (Allison Wonderland)
Staying Cool (Michelle Houston)
Take Off My Clothes (Nobilis Reed)
The DoubleDare Hotel (Will Belegon)
The Feast of the Epiphany (Jean Roberta)

peace & passion,

~ Alessia Brio
editor

* This is not the final order. They are just alphabetized by story title.

At Last v1 Whip Creamed

2009-07-31T11:00:00.004-04:00

Cholla from Whipped Cream writes:

Desire, passion, and love know no boundaries. Not color, race, sex or alien species. In Coming Together At Last Volume 1 all the boundaries are dropped and the world is free to love as it pleases. In the following pages, you are not just free, but encouraged to find your pleasure where you may.

The Colors of Us by Aurora Black starts this amazing anthology off with a seductive and sexy poem. With very few words and vivid imagery, she brings more heat in three stanzas than some authors can in an entire novel.

At First by Alessia Brio & Wil Belegon is a delightful story set in 1963. Vivian is a brazen and outspoken woman, much to Eduardo’s surprise. His more reserved upbringing leaves him at a total loss when dealing with her. However, their first meeting is a magical encounter that later explodes with heat. I loved how much of a ‘modern’ woman she was for the time period and Eddie’s innocence and old world charm were sweet.

Matilda’s Touch by Saskia Walker is a sweet and vivid memory of a first love. Sally is insecure and unwanted, sent to a boarding school to ease her mother’s guilt. Matilda is an otherworldly being and a temptation too strong to resist. This being my first female/female love story, I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of it.

In Changes by Cerise Noire we are whisked along through the beginning stages of Mike and Wes’ whirlwind relationship. From their first meeting online, to their first physical meeting and through their first real argument, they battle their doubts, revel in their happiness and set the sheets on fire. A very real and relatable story, I could honestly see myself in Sally.

Undercover Lovers by RaeLynn Blue and Shara Azod is the story of two police detectives working undercover and posing as lovers. Each attracted to the other, the cover soon becomes reality. But will it work? Both Lori and Juan are determined to make it so. A very enjoyable story with two endearing characters and one despicable bad guy.

Proud is the Dancer, Pride is the Dance by Lee Benoit is the story of Danny and Calyx. While Danny is a happy and free-spirited young man, donating his time to the GLBT community center, Calyx has a dark past he’s both trying to hide and overcome. Danny fears his lover’s past and yet believes that a whole lot of love and just a little push can bring him back to the present. A very well-written short in which you get so much story in a very few pages.

Francine’s Kid by Jeremy Edwards is a short and steamy story centering around the meeting of Teddy, a regular around the store and Patty, the newest employee. Amazingly hot and sensual for being so short.

In The Pleasure Healing by Andrea Jackson, Claire’s childhood friend, Kenda, is having surgery to repair a long-ago wrong done to her. While Kenda is in the hospital recouperating, Claire realizes she was just as damaged by that event as her friend was. With the help of Russell, she is able to heal her old wounds and find a new life. An amazing story of renewal and rebirth.

Tattoos by Sergio Ortiz is a powerful short poem. With vivid imagery and flowing words, you are swept up and settled just behind the narrator’s shoulder, observing all that she sees and feels.

If Only You Knew by Zoe Nichols is a story of breaking free. Free of society’s idea of right, of your own self doubts, and of an abusive relationship. Kit is a young college student stuck under the thumb of her abusive ex-girlfriend. With the help of a teacher, Andrea, she discovers there is more to herself than she knew. A very touching and emotional story that is all too common in this day and age.

Independence Day by Seressia Glass is a futuristic story of love beyond all boundaries. Despite being from different planets and living in a post-Civil War world, nothing is going to keep Kee and Ananda apart. Two very interesting characters in a very exciting world.

Refuge by Lisabet Sarai, set in a refugee camp in Thailand, introduces us to Nu, a peasant pressed into military service in order to support his widowed mother and younger brother. Through an encounter with a refugee of the camp, Prean, he soon discovers that there is more to life than money and honor. A timeless story, the kindness of one soldier touches a woman and changes her world.

Shot at Love by Yvette Hines is the story of Moni, a wild and reckless woman who never stays with a man for more than one night. Being a domestic goddess was never in her plans. Enter Dee Shelton. Could this one man change her mind about all she’s held true for so long? This is a touching story of a woman who has near-death experience that changes her entire outlook on the world, whether she’s aware of it or not. It’s an honest story, and a hopeful one.

Love Slave by Jax Cassidy is a steamy, sexy poem about love, lust, and submission. Skillfully twisting words into pictures, Jax Cassidy presents a brief scene in the life of a slave to love. Very well done.

Coming Together At Last Volume 1 is an amazing collection of stories covering ground so often left abandoned. Love truly knows no bounds and who’s to say that a couple should be determined by sex, race, age or planet of origin? A very forward-looking anthology that is very much needed in today’s world. Full of well-written and steamy stories, Coming Together At Last is a worthwhile read for anyone who is in love with falling in love against the odds.

With Pride reviewed

2009-07-29T11:00:00.001-04:00

Carole, from Rainbow Reviews, had this to say about Coming Together: With Pride ...

BOOK REVIEW:

Coming Together anthologies published by Phaze are edited by Alessia Brio. Each collection of erotica benefits a different charity. Visit the official Coming Together website for more information. "Coming Together With Pride" benefits AIDS/HIV research.
Reviewing a book published with such good will and to benefit such a good cause is difficult, because the bottom line is that YES, YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BUY THIS BOOK.
That said, and since you are dutifully going to buy the book to support the cause, let me say that, like any anthology, this volume has strong stories and weak stories, stories I loved and stories that didn't appeal to me personally. It is more varied than most because it has het, bi, m/m, f/f, older characters, very young characters, vampires, werewolves ... I can't think it would be possible for anyone to love every story, even though we can appreciate the spirit of giving that each author has exhibited in contributing to this book.
So let me simply say that the awesome introduction by Will Belegon is possibly the very best thing in the book. That essay alone makes the book worth buying, even if it were not a purchase for a good cause.

Read the entire review.

Next Generation Indie Book Awards

2009-06-24T10:00:00.001-04:00

Coming Together: With Pride was a finalist in two categories of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards! Congratulations to all its wonderful contributors, editor Alessia Brio, and Phaze Books!

Trifecta!

2009-05-29T12:00:00.002-04:00

The ebook re-release of the first three volumes of Coming Together has been accomplished via eXcessica. (Thank you, Selena!) Each is now available directly from the eXcessica site in addition to its retail outlets (ARe, Fictionwise, Amazon Kindle, etc.). Print is available via CreateSpace and Amazon. Click the book covers for specifics.

4 Stars for At Last v2

2009-05-27T20:00:00.005-04:00

Coming Together: At Last v2 is reviewed in the July issue of Romantic Times BookReviews with a 4 Star rating! Woo!

by Alessia Brio

RT Rating:
Category: EROTICA
Publisher: PHAZE.COM
Published: July 2009
Type: Erotic Romance (Anthology, E-book)

Short stories and poems from 20 different authors cross racial and gender lines, proving that love is blind -- in a good way. Proceeds from this collection will go to Amnesty International.

Summary: Highlights of this anthology include "Unchained Heart," by Jae Knight, in which vampire Marty Cassidy, a wannabe musician, is attracted to lead guitarist Cameron Lucas, and "Enough Said," by Bridget Midway, in which Sean and Autumn must make the most of their time together before he leaves town. (PHAZE.COM, dl $6.00)

—Jill Brager

Pondering the Indelible

2009-05-21T08:00:00.004-04:00

Color me biased, but you won't find more consistently evocative erotic poetry than Lefty McGee's. Ever. Available now in ebook and coming soon to print:

Coming Together: Pondering the Indelible

All proceeds benefit First Book, a literacy charity. Go buy it. Now, please!

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

Against the Odds

2009-05-16T17:00:00.001-04:00

Coming Together: Against the Odds
May, 2009
ISBN 978-1-59426-680-5

Phaze Books, in partnership with editor, Alessia Brio, is proud to announce the release of Coming Together: Against the Odds, a collection of erotic fiction with a mystery theme, with an introduction written by the one & only Maxim Jakubowski.

All proceeds from the sale of this special anthology will benefit Autism Speaks.

Table of Contents:

Introduction (Maxim Jakubowski)

Will She Kiss Me? (Giselle Renarde)

Under a Moving Star (Angela Caperton)

Blind Tasting (EllaRegina)

Undercover Angel (Alessia Brio)

Always a Bridesmaid (Andrea Dale)

Choke (Gregory L. Norris)

The Booty Call Caper (Kathleen Bradean)

Sen-Sen (Alicia Night Orchid)

It Had To Be You (GS Wiley)

Missing Pieces (Jasmine Black)

Claim Mate (Brenna Lyons)

Sixth Sense (Teresa Noelle Roberts)

No Boundaries (Moondancer Drake)

The Arch (Eva Batonne)

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Coming+Together+Against+the+Odds/exact_match=exact

Volume 3 born again!

2009-05-08T22:00:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the delay in posting! This volume was re-released by eXcessica on May 6th.

Earth Day Exclusive - Al Fresco

2009-04-22T00:00:00.007-04:00

No beds in this book. No bedrooms, either. Coming Together: Al Fresco is all about sex in the great outdoors. This volume is exclusively in ebook and available exclusively from All Romance eBooks. The green proceeds from the sale of Al Fresco will benefit Conservation International.

Check out its great cast:

Adam & Eve on a Raft (Robert Buckley)
Afternoon of a Faun (Helen E.H. Madden)
Anal Alley (Sommer Marsden)
Ask for It (Jude Mason)
Blonde on a Harley (Teresa Noelle Roberts)
For Want of a Woodpecker (Ripley Patton)
Foreign Parts (Rachelle Le-Monnier)
Hailey's Comet (Jae Knight)
Happy Endings (Jenna Byrnes)
Hidden in Fog (Teresa Noelle Roberts)
Mahalo (Allison Wonderland)
Making Rain (Angela Caperton)
Midnight Ménage à Trois (Heather Lin)
Natural Tease (Arya Rewan)
Outside in the Rain (Andrea Dale)
Pantheism 101 (Alessia Brio)
Paradise Valley (Michelle Houston)
Reclining Buddha (Lisabet Sarai)
Rites of Consummation (Nicole Gestalt)
Silver Bells and Cockle Shells (Shanna Germain)
Slow Burn (Sophie Mouette)
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Rita Winchester)
Sparrow Takes Flight (Giselle Renarde)
The Journey Home (Jasmine Black)
The Roof (Selena Kitt)
Untouched Perfection (Moondancer Drake)
Wet as Spring (Robin Elizabeth)
Wildlife (Randy Foster)

And read its introduction on the EPIC blog.

Volume 2 re-released by eXcessica

2009-04-06T10:00:00.004-04:00

'Nuff said.

On Amazon: At Last

2009-04-02T15:00:00.010-04:00

It's rather ironic that our interracial collections would have a printing issue with black ink. I'm happy to report that the issues have been resolved, and both volumes are now shipping. They both popped up on Amazon today, too. Now you can get your juicy goodness with Free SuperSaver shipping 'cause together, they exceed the requisite $25. And they benefit Amnesty International. Win-win! What are you waiting for? Go! Buy!

Volume 1 has a new home!

2009-03-23T00:00:00.006-04:00

The inaugural volume of Coming Together is now available in ebook from eXcessica! A print edition will soon follow on Amazon/CreateSpace. Stay tuned!

Friend of E-Publishing

2009-03-09T08:00:00.003-04:00

~ ~ ~

Coming Together: Al Fresco

2009-02-08T00:00:00.008-05:00

Coming Together is proud to announce the contents of its next release. Don't expect beds... or bedrooms... in this collection. All the action takes place in the great outdoors, and proceeds benefit Conservation International. Available to pre-order now, exclusively from All Romance eBooks. The ebook will be released on Earth Day 2009.

Adam & Eve on a Raft (Robert Buckley)
Afternoon of a Faun (Helen E.H. Madden)
Anal Alley (Sommer Marsden)
Ask for It (Jude Mason)
Blonde on a Harley (Teresa Noelle Roberts)
For Want of a Woodpecker (Ripley Patton)
Foreign Parts (Rachelle Le-Monnier)
Hailey's Comet (Jae Knight)
Happy Endings (Jenna Byrnesl)
Hidden in Fog (Teresa Noelle Roberts)
Mahalo (Allison Wonderland)
Making Rain (Angela Caperton)
Midnight Ménage à Trois (Heather Lin)
Natural Tease (Arya Rewan)
Outside in the Rain (Andrea Dale)
Pantheism 101 (Alessia Brio)
Paradise Valley (Michelle Houston)
Reclining Buddha (Lisabet Sarai)
Rites of Consummation (Nicole Gestalt)
Silver Bells and Cockle Shells (Shanna Germain)
Slow Burn (Sophie Mouette)
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Rita Winchester)
Sparrow Takes Flight (Giselle Renarde)
The Journey Home (Jasmine Black)
The Roof (Selena Kitt)
Untouched Perfection (Moondancer Drake)
Wet as Spring (Robin Elizabeth)
Wildlife (Randy Foster)

Colly's volume reviewed

2009-02-07T12:00:00.001-05:00

Leah, of Loving Venus-Loving Mars, reviewed this collection:

Review- Coming Together: Special Memorial Edition: Colleen Thomas by Alessia Brio

Coming Together: An Erotic Cocktail
Special Memorial Edition: Colleen Thomas
Edited by Alessia Brio
July 31, 2006
Anthology/ Lesbian/ bisexual
Novel length

Buy it Amazon, Fictionwise (ebook)

A collection of lesbian erotica by the late Colleen Thomas, edited by EPPIE Award-winning author, Alessia Brio. Each short story is introduced by one of Colleen's peers. Proceeds from the sale of this edition of Coming Together will be donated to the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence in her memory.

This volume of the Coming Together series is a nice eclectic mix of lesbian erotic stories. While a few are strictly lesbian stories, there are a few first timer or coming out stories as well, which I enjoyed. The flavor of each story is so different and unique and I found them all to be nicely written and highly erotic. I think Alessia Brio did a great job in putting together this anthology, which offers so much. I've never read anything by Colleen Thomas, so this is a nice intro to her work.

A Separate Peace- I really enjoyed this story a lot. It was very different. Sarah is working for the US gov. as a spy in Israel in search of a most wanted Palestinian terrorist known as the Jackal. She is captured during a bombing by some Palestinians and wakes up tied up in a room, with a woman, Ablaa, talking to her. To Sarah’s surprise Ablaa just happens to be the Jackal. This woman is very intense with her, talking to her about how the US gov is the real terrorist and goes on to describe the horrendous life she’s had to lead, while at the same time she seduces Sarah sexually. Sarah starts to see that all is not so black and white. The Jackal lets Sarah escape and it’s years later…

What I enjoyed about this story is that it’s a story about how people can connect on a very basic human level regardless of beliefs and ideological differences. These two women are very sweet and intense together and I really got off on that. (A)

The Run- This was a very interesting sci-fi story about a woman who is a “runner,” a person who is basically a hired body guard/ assassin. Margo is a huge, formidable woman and one of the best runners out there. She’s hired by a cosmetic company to be a body guard for the head of the company, a woman with a hit out on her. Margo brings in another woman who is a computer geek to take care of the tech side of what’s needed. This woman, Lana, is very attracted to Margo, and Margo, while having some attractions for women, has never been with a woman. As they work together, they both explore each other sexually as well. What I liked here is that both are sexually inexperienced with women and it was very hot and kind of innocent how they get together.

The sci-fi part of the story was very intricate and kind of riveting on its own as well. Many interesting concepts were introduced. (A-)

Just Like That- this is a purely erotic fantasy and not really my cuppa due to the “doing it for men” part of the story, but the sex was pretty hot. A woman is in a bar and notices three woman hanging together and dancing, one having a camera. She chats with one of them and it turns out they run a website showing real life girl-on-girl action to whoever pays to watch. What they do is try to find a regular, non pro, woman who wants to have sex on camera.

First, this woman has never had sex with a woman nor does she want to, but the girls convince her to go along and the smexing with the camera rolling starts straight away in the car. That’s all. All three women do her on film and she gets off on it. (B)

Latin I and Latin II- Oh I totally loved this story. It’s a story of revenge, but done in a way that the recipients of the revenge learn something about themselves and how horrid they were acting. Mandy is a high school student who is ridiculed on a regular basis because she’s out as a lesbian. One of her teachers routinely picks on her for no reason and the “cool” girls not only mess with her but push others to ride her as well. She gets a hold of a book of spells and goes to a well known empty, haunted house and does a spell to conjure up a malevolent spirit to help her get revenge.

This was so deliciously hot. Mandy’s nasty teacher just happens to be a preacher’s wife who thinks sex is just for procreation. Mandy puts a spell on her having her do all kinds of things, completely controlling her, making her want sex with Mandy only. Then she seduces the mean girl and does the same. What I thought was interesting in these two stories is that while Mandy is getting her revenge she’s never cruel and those women, while hating that they are having sex with Mandy, also come to really want it. Great story. (A-)

Quality of Life- This was a strange story. Another sci-fi/ futuristic story about a satellite prison in space where gays and lesbians are sent because they are an abomination to the current society. This was a total downer with a lot of social statement about how gays and lesbians are treated and the prejudice they have to deal with. Basically this prison is purposely destroyed by the powers that be locking out air, with a few survivors left, but not for long. There isn’t any sex in this story, which was OK, but the ending is just kind of rough. Like I said, downer. But it was uniquely written. (C+)

Picture Perfect- Oh yeah, this was such a hot story. And it’s a May/Dec, teacher/student story, which I get off on. Dana is a student in University who keeps taking Dr. Helen Smith’s classes because she’s attracted to her. Dana is a newbie at being with women, so she gets constant advice from her butch friend who is sleeping with everyone, including a few professors. For a paper Dana has to do for Dr. Smith’s class, she goes to get some books for her topic and one book she needs hasn’t been taken out for 20 years, so its in a special room. In this book she finds a pin-up semi nudie photo of a woman from the 40’s and becomes obsessed with finding out who it is. When she finds out that Dr. Smith was the last person to take out the book, things get interesting.

This is a very engrossing story with a bit of a mystery involved and a sweet coming together of two women sexually. I liked that Helen is 45 and has as much or little experience as Dana who is in her early 20’s. So the sex is more exploratory in nature than experienced seduction, which I enjoyed. (A-)

Football Widow- this is a story about a woman who marries her high school sweetheart, but after they had split up and she had a lesbian affair with a Haitian professor at her college. She’s been married now for 10 years and is basically ignored by her husband during the whole football season. At a kickoff party that she and her husband have, a lesbian co-worker of her husband seduces her. She realizes how much she’s missed being with women and this woman turns her on totally.

This is a typical neglected housewife story, which kind of made it OK for me that she has sex with this other woman. What I didn’t like is how aggressive the lesbian is. She’s definitely the butch one and comes on very strong and pushy with the housewife. But I think in this case lesbians who like the butch/femme dynamics will like this story.

I also didn’t like that the lesbian woman in this case is thinking about making this affair long-term not by breaking up the marriage, but having the affair on the side without the husband’s knowledge. Not my thing that kind of idea really. Still though, the sex in this story is very steamy. (B)

The Last Goodbye Fuck- This is another kind of sad story. Two lesbians are having their last goodbye sex, which is very intense and lasts for hours. This is because one works on a fishing boat and goes out to sea for months at a time. What I liked about this story is that the women are so different. The butch one is big, fleshy and hairy, while the other one is tiny and thin. They both really love each other and really only have each other as both families have cut them off for being lesbians. The little details are what made this story for me. They are poor and make do with so little and it had a good feeling for me in that, like two people working against the odds. The sex is amazing in this story, but then ending really sucks. I guess that’s what you get when it’s not romance but erotica. (B+)

As a book of lesbian erotica, I think this collection is well done and offers a lot. But what I really enjoyed is that it’s also got many different kinds of sexual scenarios, something for everyone and especially something for those of us who like to read stories that are more interesting for the bi curious reader.

Sex rating: Orgasmic- f/f, ménage, strap-ons, anal,

Grade: B+

At Last - At Last!

2009-01-18T18:00:00.003-05:00

FINALLY!

Phaze Books, in partnership with editor, Alessia Brio, is proud to announce COMING TOGETHER: AT LAST, a collection of interracial erotic fiction which celebrates the diversity of desire. With an introduction by NYT Bestselling Author L.A. Banks!

Volumes 1 and 2 feature stories by Bridget Midway, Saskia Walker, Seressia Glass, Aliyah Burke, Alessia Brio and Will Belegon, and many more!

All proceeds from the sale of this special anthology will benefit Amnesty International.

...

Coming Together is erotic altruism at its finest!

Against the Odds contents selected

2009-01-12T11:00:00.001-05:00

It is with great pride that we announce the contents for Coming Together: Against the Odds:

Introduction (Maxim Jakubowski)
Will She Kiss Me? (Giselle Renarde)
Under a Moving Star (Angela Caperton)
Blind Tasting (EllaRegina)
Undercover Angel (Alessia Brio)
Always a Bridesmaid (Andrea Dale)
Choke (Gregory L. Norris)
The Booty Call Caper (Kathleen Bradean)
Sen-Sen (Alicia Night Orchid)
It Had To Be You (GS Wiley)
Missing Pieces (Jasmine Black)
Claim Mate (Brenna Lyons)
Sixth Sense (Teresa Noelle Roberts)
No Boundaries (Moondancer Drake)
The Arch (Eva Montealegre)

This collection of mystery-themed erotic fiction will be released simultaneously in ebook & print from Phaze Books during June 2009.

Love Romances Cafe nominations

2009-01-12T00:00:00.002-05:00

Coming Together has a couple of nominations in Love Romances Cafe's year-end polls. Your votes would be much appreciated!

Best Anthology 2008:

Coming Together with Pride (Phaze)

Best Series 2008:

Coming Together (Phaze)

Voting runs until Jan. 17th. Winners are being announced at a special party on Jan. 19th from 7-9 p.m. ET

To vote, simply be a subscriber to the Love Romances Cafe Yahoo!Group and visit the polls.

Thanks for your support!

At Last promo video

2009-01-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Coming Together: At Last

P&E Nominations

2009-01-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

The Preditors & Editors 2008 Readers Polls are now open. Coming Together would greatly appreciate your support in the following polls:

Anthologies
Coming Together: With Pride
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/antho.shtml

Print/Electronic Book Editor
Alessia Brio, Coming Together
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/bookeditor.shtml

In order for your votes to be counted, you must verify your email address -- but you only have to do it once. Thanks, y'all. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For your listening enjoyment

2008-12-18T09:00:00.002-05:00

Last night's Cult of Gracie radio show is archived. :)

On the Air TONIGHT!

2008-12-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

Join editor Alessia Brio this evening at 10pm Eastern on XXBN where she'll be chatting with the one and only Gracie Passette on her radio show, Cult of Gracie.

They'll be talking about erotica, smut writing, altruism, and (of course) Coming Together.

Coming Together for Jo Leigh

2008-12-04T00:00:00.002-05:00

The romance writing community can get into some vicious snark wars on contentious issues, but when one of its authors is in need, it pulls together in a most impressive fashion.

Alison Kent is spearheading a fundraising event for Jo Leigh, who is saddled with enormous medical bills following the death of her husband. Coming Together has donated a set of its print books, and the auction is now live on eBay:

There are currently over 170 additional items available for bidding on eBay that will benefit Jo Leigh -- things like collections of books, agent evaluations, website design, promo video design, and jewelry.

Have a look around. Place a bid or three. You might find the perfect gift for yourself or someone on your list!

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

November is Prematurity Awareness Month

2008-11-01T00:00:00.002-04:00

~ Alessia Brio
editor

Meow!

2008-10-16T06:00:00.003-04:00

Coming Together interviewed at (on?) Sex-Kitten.net!

Blog Action Day

2008-10-15T00:00:00.019-04:00

Coming Together is participating in Blog Action Day. This year's topic is POVERTY, and we're sharing the thoughts of a few Coming Together contributors:

~ Brenna Lyons ~

I grew up in one of the worst DMZs in Pittsburgh, on food stamps, medical aid... you name it... struggling to make something better for myself out of what I'd been dealt. I worked two jobs while I went to college, because it kept a roof over my head and let me finish my education. There were times when my husband (whose family was, if anything, worse off than mine) and I didn't have enough to eat, didn't have heat, didn't have medical care when we needed it. There were times when our walls were so insubstantial the winter wind came straight through them. No one should have to live that way, especially as children and/or teens.

The one thing I did always have was a roof over my head, but I know many don't. The schools my kids attend services two separate homeless shelters full of families... kids.

What do I do to help those in need? I donate clothing, books, food... and when I have it, time and money, because sometimes that couple of cans of food or used winter jacket are all you have between a moment of comfort and complete lack of it. Sometimes that one mentor reaches you when no one else does. I read to kids. I help judge free contests that encourage literacy in pre-teens and teens, because an education and a dream are the best ways I've found out of that life and to providing something better for the next generation.

~ Brenna Lyons
www.brennalyons.com

# # #

~ Sapphire Phelan ~

Poverty effects everyone. Okay, so you have a job, a home, and credit cards out the wazoo. But anyone can lose that job or home--and credit cards just add more debt to your name. In today's society, even here in the U.S., the gap between the rich and the poor is widening, and there is no more middle class.

What we do at home is try to live without something we really don't need, don't drive anywhere and when we do, make sure we do several things in the same area together.

What little money we have to spare, we try to donate to some program for poverty. A few pennies is a few pennies more they did not have before.

Next time you think: Me, poor? Go volunteer at your local food bank and see who is coming in. And maybe, just maybe, you don't need that something for yourself when you Christmas shop. Instead, take that money and get a few groceries to donate to your Food Bank, or get a gift for a child at Christmas that might not have anything under his/her tree if you didn't do it.

This year it's going to be tough for us all, so think smart and help your neighbor.

~ Sapphire Phelan
www.myspace.com/SapphirePhelan

# # #

~ Victoria Blisse ~

When we think of poverty, we often think of a global problem and become overwhelmed by the sheer weight of it. I know I often feel inadequate when I think of all the people in the world who have nothing or close to nothing and how little I can actually afford to do to help them.

However, this does not mean I cannot do something to help someone living in poverty. We all can do something: from cooking a meal for the old woman at the end of the street who lives alone, or making her a blanket to help her through the cold of winter, to donating our old clothes to charity to be sold to aid the poor and unfortunate of the world. Or we can put together a shoe box of gifts to send to poor children in Romania or collect odd pennies and donate them to a missionary charity. We may not be able to go out and dig wells, but our spare change can help those who do. There are many ways we can make a difference no matter how much time or money we have to dedicate to the cause.

If we all do a little something, it will make a difference.

~ Victoria Blisse
victoriablisse.co.uk

# # #

~ Giselle Renarde ~

poverotica /pawvirottikaw/(n) literature or art lending erotic qualities to the state of being extremely poor.

As you might have guessed, there's no such thing as poverotica. It's a new addition to my lexicon of made-up words. And you've probably never wondered why poverotica doesn't exist amongst the numerous categories of erotic fiction on the market. I never did either until the righteous Alessia Brio asked Coming Together contributors to think about poverty as a blog topic. Have you ever asked yourself, "Why are there no sexy stories about those members of our society living at subsistence level?"

The question answers itself, doesn't it? Of course we don't think these things. Poverty isn't sexy. In fact, without even realizing it, most of us have been conditioned to adopt a fundamental belief in just the opposite: Money is sexy. Without it, there is no romance.

Before erotica consumed my life, I was an academic. As such, I wrote a thesis on the surprisingly hegemonic implications of sex advice articles in women's magazines. As a sidebar to my observations, I noticed that much of the advice given about improving one's sex life involved purchasing products. For instance, when one woman wrote in to ask how she could begin to enjoy sex with her husband again after he'd cheated on her, the columnist advised her to "throw away your comfortable nightgown" and "switch over to some sexy lingerie."

Apart from reinforcing the disturbingly common belief that her husband's affair was this woman's fault, by advising the inquisitor to "switch over to sexy lingerie," this, like many other advice articles, subtly reinforces the role that sexuality plays in supporting Capitalism and consumerist behaviours.

The entire category of romantic love conspires with Capitalist endeavours to encourage commercialism through the purchase of roses, chocolates, jewellery, "romantic" holidays, weddings and much more, as signifiers of love and commitment. The conventional relationship-oriented objects and rituals that have the highest symbolic values, like the wedding, the wedding ring and the honeymoon, also have the highest exchange values. Just think about how incredibly profitable the wedding industry has become!

The idea that love, or sexual desire for that matter, is expressed through the exchange of items drawn from the specific lexicon of love-connoting merchandise has established a culture wherein "love" and consumerism exist in a symbiotic relationship: It is in the corporation's interest to emphasize the symbolic value of its product in relation to love and sex, because this vastly increases the product's exchange value.

From the example given above, it is far more likely that the advice-seeker, and other women in her situation, will purchase expensive, over-priced lingerie when they are led by magazine articles to believe that this will help to salvage their sex lives and even their marriages.

Conversely, such advice misleads readers into believing their relationships are doomed if they can't afford the trappings of romantic love and desire. This is not just academic theory; it's rehearsed again and again in real life. Hell, my girlfriend's always reminding me how much she loves being treated to fancy meals and expensive gifts; they make her feel special.

How is it that even we, the educated and the socially aware, still fall into these Consumerist traps? The costly signifiers of romance are just that: empty vessels of connotation. There are far better ways of showing our loved ones we care, and these methods don't require us to spend our life's savings. Words cost nothing: "I love you. You are special. Come to bed and I'll show you..."

~ Giselle Renarde
freewebs.com/gisellerenarde
donutsdesires.blogspot.com

# # #

~ Will Belegon ~

Poverty? Here, in the most developed country in the world?

As a nation, much of the United States went through the nineties and the early part of this century with a strut and a whistle. Poverty? Poverty is dead. We beat it, right? LBJ beat it back in the sixties? Man, we rock.

Then came Hurricane Katrina.

Suddenly, we had to look down the block and realize that we still had this demon to face. It was there on our TV sets and it wasn't in Somalia or Bangladesh. These were Americans. But the truth is that poverty never disappeared in the United States. It was forced into a new public image by the efforts of those who like to ignore it. Or rather, they ignore it until it is time to use the desperate acts of someone with their back against the wall as a lever to "reform" welfare or "examine" federal programs. And reform and examine always meant "cut." Somehow in the eighties, being poor became the fault of the poor. That carried through the years until Katrina blew it away. The images that we saw from the wards of New Orleans and the floor of the Superdome reminded us that despite our political zeal about the War on Terror or the War on Drugs, we had left another foe unvanquished.

This is not to say that there weren't a great number of Americans who never quit fighting. But in politics and marketing, perception is reality. And the perception was that we had an underclass who didn't really want to make the effort required to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. The problem with such an idea is that it presupposes enough income to afford boots.

There is a great need throughout the world. But remember the old adage about charity beginning at home. And I don't mean helping yourself to another Krispy Kreme while you watch The View. There are wonderful organizations such as Habitat For Humanity that are putting in countless hours very near you to make a difference in the lives of your fellow Americans. You can volunteer at a shelter. Give your unwanted goods to a thrift store. Anything.

Get off the couch and grab a hammer. The War on Poverty still hasn't been won.

~ Will Belegon
willbelegon.blogspot.com

# # #

50% MicroPay Rebate Sale!

2008-10-10T00:00:00.006-04:00

The Feds bailed out Wall Street last week to the tune of $700 Billion, and at Fictionwise they say: why let the fat cat CEO's have all the fun? So starting now, every single title in their store sports a massive 50% Micropay Rebate when paying by credit or PayPal! But hurry: they will run this insane eBook Bailout Package either through Sunday October 12, or until they give away $700 Billion worth of Rebates, whichever comes first!

What a great incentive to pick up the entire Coming Together collection. Buy half the books, then go back and get the other half with your rebate!

Dishing at SheKnows

2008-10-09T07:00:00.009-04:00

Coming Together: For the Cure is mentioned on today's Daily Dish at SheKnows.com!

Pink for October

2008-10-04T00:00:00.001-04:00

'Nuff said.

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

yIKEs!

2008-09-12T12:00:00.002-04:00

In 2005, when we put together the Special Hurricane Relief Edition of Coming Together in the wake of Katrina, we never really anticipated its longevity and the persistent, vital need for the cause it benefits.

To those in the path of Hurricane Ike, we hope you stay safe and dry.

peace & passion,

~ Alessia Brio, editor

Press Release

2008-08-28T00:00:00.007-04:00

August 28, 2008

Celebrate the Diversity of Desire
with Coming Together and Phaze Books

Cincinnati, OH – The latest in the critically acclaimed Coming Together anthology series, Coming Together: At Last, will debut in January 2009 from Phaze Books. Due to the overwhelming number and quality of the submissions, it was decided that two volumes of this title would be published simultaneously, both containing the stirring Introduction penned by New York Times bestselling author, L.A. Banks. A complete list of the contents can now be found online at the Coming Together website: www.eroticanthology.com/atlast.htm.

The release of these collections of interracial erotic fiction and poetry will coincide with the celebration of the birth of one of history's most passionate proponents for human rights and equality, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and it is from his famous speech given forty-five years ago on this day that the title words "At Last" are taken. Accordingly, proceeds from sales will benefit Amnesty International.

Having published four of the nine currently available titles in the charitable anthology series, Phaze Books is now poised to release its fifth and sixth. The diverse collections of erotic fiction and poetry feature the work of many well-known authors in addition to fresh new voices in the genre. Previous Phaze titles in the series include Coming Together: For the Cure, Coming Together: Under Fire, Coming Together: Special Hurricane Relief Edition, and Coming Together: With Pride. Each is available in both ebook and print from all major online booksellers.

All proceeds from the sales of Coming Together publications are donated to charity, with the authors and its EPPIE Award-winning editor, Alessia Brio, donating their time and talents.

Coming Together anthologies have received many accolades including the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Award for Erotica as well as Top Pick and four star reviews from the romance industry's premier publication: Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine. In its most recent review, Romantic Times favorably compared the series to Susie Bright's Best American Erotica series. In addition, the organization was a finalist for the Electronic Published Internet Connection's 2008 Friend of ePublishing Award for what Ms. Brio has termed "erotic altruism."

Phaze Books, the erotic imprint of Mundania Press LLC, is one of the fastest growing and most recognizable publishers in an exploding genre. Its unprecedented support for Coming Together, a voluntary nonprofit association, puts Phaze on the cutting edge of philanthropy in the publishing industry, a commitment that will continue with its upcoming releases in the series. Coming Together: Against the Odds will have a mystery theme and will benefit Autism Speaks, while Coming Together: Into the Light will include stories about the revelation of secrets and will benefit V-Day. Both are currently open for submissions and will see publication in the coming year.

For more information about Coming Together, visit www.EroticAnthology.com or email editor Alessia Brio at alessia [at] eroticanthology.com. For more information about Phaze Books, visit www.PHAZE.com or contact Promotions Manager Crystal B. Bright at crystal [at] phaze.com.

# # #

Open for Submissions

2008-08-14T15:00:00.003-04:00

Two new volumes of Coming Together are now open for submissions:

Phaze Books, in partnership with editor, Alessia Brio, is now accepting submissions of erotic fiction & poetry for Coming Together: Into the Light. Simultaneous release in ebook and print is planned for early 2010.

The theme of this collection is the revelation of secrets. ALL royalties from the sale of this volume will benefit V-Day, which works to end violence against women.

Submissions close July 31, 2009
intothelight [at] eroticanthology.com

Coming Together: By Hand is a multi-author anthology of auto-erotic fiction and poetry edited by Alessia Brio.

ALL proceeds from the sale of this volume will benefit a sex-positive organization promoting safe sex (TBA).

Submissions close (TBA)
byhand [at] eroticanthology.com

Please refer to the SUBMISSIONS page for further details on these and other open calls.

Mensa Bulletin reviews With Pride

2008-08-05T12:00:00.005-04:00

The August issue of the Mensa Bulletin contains a review of Coming Together: With Pride.

Radiothon!

2008-07-26T19:00:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow (Sunday 27th July) from 9pm to 11pm eastern time, join Alessia Brio and many of the Coming Together authors for a radiothon on Passionate Internet Voices Radio with host Lillian Cauldwell. They'll be talking about the series, the charities, their reasons for getting involved, and their plans for the future.

Scheduled readings or interviews:

Alessia Brio
Jeremy Edwards
Mari Freeman
Helen Madden
Will Belegon
Jean Roberta
Brenna Lyons
Sapphire Phelan
G.C. Rider
Victoria Blisse
Giselle Renarde
Heather Fowler
Laurence Doyen
Selena Kitt
... and more!

Listen to the live broadcast and participate via PIVR's chat room at: http://pub44.bravenet.com/chat/show.php/3762372901

~ ~ ~

Stripped

2008-07-26T14:00:00.001-04:00

The fabulous Helen Madden created one of her delightful Cynical Woman comic strips about Coming Together. Check it out!

Two Lips Reviews Under Fire

2008-07-24T10:00:00.010-04:00

Title: Under Fire
Author: Alessia Brio and Will Belegon, editors
Publisher: Phaze
Genre: Anthology
Publication date: 2007
ISBN: 978-1-59426-857-1
Pages: 288
Series: Coming Together
Reviewer: Aviana
Heat Level: F/M; F/F; M/M; M/M/M
Rating:

Coming Together: Under Fire is a collection of short stories and poems dedicated to the victims of the Southern California wildfires in October 2007 and to the courageous men and women who battled those blazes. All the proceeds go to help the victims, some of whom will surely struggle for years to put their lives back together. As part of the Coming Together series - benefiting a variety of charities and natural disasters, Coming Together: Under Fire is both an extremely worthwhile project and the perfect book to dip into before bedtime.
Editors Alessia Brio and Will Belegon made sure this collection of 37 short stories and poems include something for everyone. Many of the entries have fire as a theme, but not all. Some of the stories seem specifically written about the Southern California fires, mentioning names and places familiar to those who lived through those harrowing days, such as myself.
Poetry lovers will be delighted to find poems comprise half this volume and are interleafed between each short story. I especially liked the way the editors italicized the poetry titles in the table of contents, making it easier for the reader. It’s impossible to review all 37 entries in one short review but a few stand out.
Burn Zone by James Buchanan is a touching and erotic story about 3 firefighters, two city fireman and one smoke jumper. The men are roommates and when two of them hear the third is having trouble dealing with the loss of his teammates in an out-of-control brushfire, they go looking for him. Once they finally find him, they force him to face his guilt while affirming the unique bond they share as friends and a sexual threesome.
Drive-In by Tilly Green is a fun story about a very sexy and pent up firefighter and his patient girlfriend enjoying public sex at a private beach party. She finally gets up the nerve to express her deepest feelings and naturally that’s just when he gets paged to come back to work.
Slow Burn Blues by Lefty McGee is a powerful poem about a man drinking whiskey in a smoky bar while listening to a woman sing the blues. In just a few short stanzas, the story of this man’s regrets and his overwhelming shame is revealed.
Blind Date by Stephanie Vaughan seems written specifically for this volume. It’s the sexy story of two gay men on a blind date - arranged by one of their moms, no less! One happens to be a firefighter on call which gives the story a nice tension. The two quickly hit it off and although things go from spark to inferno they also manage to connect emotionally in a very special way.
The last title of this anthology, The End of the World by Gwen Masters, is an astonishingly tender tale of a married couple lost in the vast Gibson Desert of Australia. It’s unbearably hot, the food and water are running out and they know they can’t last more than a couple of days. With nothing to do but wait to die, they are forced to finally face the reasons their marriage failed. Although The End of the World has nothing to do with fire per se, it’s a story of hope in the face of total disaster – a fitting end to this fine collection.

http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3126&Itemid=36

On the Air

2008-07-13T12:00:00.005-04:00

Join editor Alessia Brio on Monday 14 July from 9:30-10:00pm (eastern) on Passionate Internet Voices Radio What's Hot in Romance? show with host Lillian Cauldwell where she'll be promoting Coming Together: With Pride, the latest release in the Coming Together series.

Then, tune in again on Sunday 27 July from 9:00-11:00 pm (again, eastern) for a 2-hour Coming Together radiothon promoting the entire series. :)

There'll be both live and prerecorded excerpts ... and maybe even a few surprises!

Promo Blogging

2008-06-30T00:00:00.004-04:00

I'm today's featured author on Melissa Schroeder's blog, promoting the Coming Together series. Pop on over and leave a comment to be entered to win a Phaze gift certificate!

Here's the interview posted there ...

Alessia, thanks for the taking the time to answer my questions! I know the readers are going to LOVE them. 

What drew you to writing romance?

Um, well… nothing. I landed in the romance genre because that's where the publishing industry currently herds the royalties-based erotic fiction. The draw, as you put it, was toward the erotic elements—the transformative power of sex, the way it brings out the best (and the worst) in people, the way it challenges our absolutes. Sex is not only titillating, it's absolutely fascinating. Every sexual act carries a complete story arc in microcosm. The relationship is changed by the experience and the emotional distance between the characters either increases or decreases. Individual changes, often profound, take place as well. Sex is a crucible for character development. So, while some of my work may indeed qualify as "romance" by the prevailing genre definitions, I never set out to write romance. I set out to tell a story.

Tell me about the first Coming Together and how it came together.

The first volume of Coming Together was self-published in late spring of 2005—just a couple weeks before I got "the call" from Phaze. In fact, the two events are somewhat related.

About 5 years ago, I started searching for erotic fiction online, and I wound up at a site called Literotica and began to post my early scribblings there. It's a huge site, and the quality is… diverse (to put it diplomatically). However, there are some very talented authors in its ranks. After about a year, I discovered that those who were serious about writing good erotica tended to congregate in the forums, particularly a section called the Authors' Hangout.

I made the Authors' Hangout my online home. I was still just a hobbyist, though, with no aspirations beyond that site's contests, and the word "ebook" wasn't even in my vocabulary at that time. As I got to know some of the other authors and poets and illustrators, we began to discuss options for getting a broader audience for our work.

For a short story writer, publication options—at least in print—are sporadic and limited and certainly not an adequate source of income. So, we discussed the possibility of bundling our stories into anthologies. When talk turned to money, we realized that splitting the proceeds 15-20 ways was never going to result in a lucrative income. Someone—and it may've even been me, I don't recall—suggested donating the revenues to charity, and Coming Together was born. Many of the original participants are still involved with the project. I'm both humbled by and proud of its growth.

It was in the process of gathering all the stories for that first volume into a manuscript that it dawned on me: I could do the same with all of my short stories & poetry. That's how fine flickering hungers became a book. I submitted it to Phaze thinking that, at the very least, I'd get a professional opinion on my writing. A couple weeks later, I had a contract, and that resulted in an EPPIE Award winning publication.

Is there a way you pick the theme for each one? Do you do it, does Phaze?

At first, we picked one charity: the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The first volume was published in conjunction with a Free Speech contest on Literotica, and it seemed fitting to have our erotic fiction benefiting an organization that fights to preserve our ability to freely express ourselves via the Internet. Volumes 2 and 3 also benefit EFF. They were all initially self-published through Café Press but now have homes as ebooks with Charles River Press. When their contracts expire in early 2009, I'll be adding the ebooks to Selena Kitt's eXcessica collaborative and self-publishing the print volumes through Amazon's Create Space.

It wasn't until Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast that we produced a themed volume. All the stories and poetry in the Special Hurricane Relief edition involve storms. It benefits the American Red Cross.

Themes and causes for the rest of the volumes have a variety of sources. Kat Lively suggested Coming Together: For the Cure, our Susan G. Komen benefit, and it was the first volume to result from an open submission call. It was a 2008 EPPIE Award finalist, a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Top Pick, and the winner of the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the Erotica category (and a finalist in the Anthology category).

Other suggestions have come from readers and fellow authors. Coming Together is not housed solely at Phaze. We have self-published print books, ebooks with Charles River Press and eXcessica, and will soon have an exclusive title with All Romance eBooks.

Does each theme have something to do with the charity you give to?

In later volumes, yes. I do try to tie the overall theme to the cause. For example, Coming Together: In the Kitchen (a cookbook for which submissions are still open!) will appropriately benefit a charity for the hungry.

The most recent release, Coming Together: With Pride, doesn't really have a theme beyond diversity. I think that's appropriate, though, since HIV/AIDS affects everyone.

Coming Together: Under Fire (4 Stars from Romantic Times BOOKreviews!) contains fire-themed stories and poetry. The upcoming interracial volume, Coming Together: At Last, which will benefit Amnesty International, has a theme of hope & freedom.

You are planning on making Coming Together a non-profit charity all by itself. What are you hoping to do with it? Will it only include books, or are there other ways you are planning on raising money?

Yeah, I filed the registration a couple weeks ago and am now slogging through the development of Articles of Association and Bylaws. We have seated a Board of Directors and as soon as all the requisite documents are on file with the state, we'll be tackling the application for IRS tax exemption. Coming Together is now officially a "nonprofit voluntary association."

While collections of erotic fiction and poetry will remain Coming Together's primary fundraising product, I do hope to branch out into other forms of creative expression: photography, audio books, graphic arts, painting, etc.

We'll also be doing some single-author compilations. There's a book of Lefty McGee's incredible poetry in the works entitled Coming Together: Pondering the Indelible and a collection of erotic short stories by the prolific Laurence Doyen entitled Coming Together: For Her. I can wait to put these on the market! The ebooks will be released through eXcessica and the print through Amazon's Create Space.

How do you go about picking the stories for the anthologies?

It's all about balance. The quality of the submissions is VERY high. Almost everything I receive is publishable, in my opinion. So, my task is to select material that fits the theme and is well-balanced in length, point-of-view, sexuality, and tone with the rest of the book. I strive for diversity in each collection. In fact, "Celebrate the diversity of desire!" is a new promo slogan we've adopted.

Do you have the next theme and charity picked out?

There are several volumes still open for submissions:

Coming Together: At Last closes on July 31^st. It will benefit Amnesty International and consist of interracial stories with a theme of hope & freedom.

Coming Together: Against the Odds closes on December 31^st. It will benefit Autism Speaks and consist of mystery-themed erotic fiction.

Coming Together: Al Fresco closes on January 31^st. It will be released on Earth Day 2009 exclusively in ebook from All Romance eBooks and will benefit Conservation International. Its theme is sex in the great outdoors.

Coming Together: In the Kitchen is a cookbook. It will benefit Action Against Hunger.

I'm in the process of working with a popular toy store to develop a branded benefit sex toy to be sold in conjunction with Coming Together: By Hand, which will contain stories about masturbation and benefit a sex-positive charity (TBA). Submissions won't open for this one until we hammer out the details. I'm targeting a release during National Masturbation Month (May), but whether that's 2009 or 2010 remains to be seen. Promotion for this volume will also be tied to the toy review blog, Toys for Tarts, which also fundraises for Coming Together through affiliate sales. (Authors are welcome to submit product reviews for posting, and I'll happily include a reciprocal link.)

Coming Together: Pondering the Indelible is Lefty McGee's poetry, and it will benefit a literacy charity (TBA).

Coming Together: For Her, Laurence Doyen's collection, will benefit NOW.

Beyond that, I'm open to suggestions.

What do you, Alessia, have coming up in the next few months in terms of releases?

I have so little time to write "my stuff" these days. Pity, 'cause I've been told it's quite good. *grin*

Let's see. I just had a short-short story released (last week) in the Surrender: Tales of Erotic Submission print anthology from Phaze. In September, I'll have a story in Rachel Kramer Bussel's Tasting Him anthology. (It's already available to pre-order from Amazon.) In October, my & Will's e-novellas, "Double Header" & "Spring Training" will be released as a print compilation entitled Squeeze Play from Phaze. And, I'll have a story entitled "Double Decker" included in the lesbian print anthology, Sapphistocated, from Phaze in early 2009. Of course, I intend to have contributions in each of the multi-author Coming Together volumes as well.

I'd like to find time to finish four longer works-in-progress: Zane, Snatch, 'Tude, and (collaboratively with Will Belegon) Missing Pieces, the next book in our Erotique series.

Now for the fun questions:

Name three books on your keeper shelf.

In no particular order (out of dozens of keepers),

Marge Piercy's Three Women
Stephen King's The Stand
J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings

What is your favorite guilty pleasure?

I don't do guilt. However, I do try to limit my indulgence in the plum and raspberry wines from the local winery. Unrestricted consumption would be detrimental to my bank balance—not to mention my waistline. *wink*

If you had to choose between a night in with a pizza and a movie, and a night out on the town, which would you pick and who would you have with you?

Most of the time, I'd opt for the pizza & movie simply because I am an introvert by nature. Crowds are an energy drain to me. I have to be in just the right mood (or have had an ample amount of social lubricant in the form of vanilla vodka) to enjoy such events. Regardless of the venue, though, my company of choice is my writing & life partner, Will Belegon.

What is your favorite non-writing activity?

Creatively, it would be doing cover art. In terms of leisure activity, it would be sex. Does sex still count as a non-writing activity for an erotica writer? Hrm…

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

Shiny!

2008-06-27T13:00:00.004-04:00

In today's mail, the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards winner's medallion (Erotica category, of course) for Coming Together: For the Cure! Kudos to the participating authors, Phaze Books, and moi... the editor!

CONTENTS:

A Town Called Night (Sammie Jo Moresca)
Angel on the Wall (James Buchanan)
Bound To Love (Kelly Maher)
Butterfly (Alessia Brio)
Discovery & Seduction (Savannah Reardon)
Domestic Goddess (Lisabet Sarai)
Ecstasy in E Minor (Laurence Doyen)
If We Were… (Jeremy Edwards)
Last Summer (Jolie du Pré)
Making Me Do Things (Sommer Marsden)
My Right Breast (Amelia June)
Not to Forget (Vincent Diamond)
Nuevo Dia (Kate Burns)
Photographic Memory (Harley Stone)
Seduced (Tomas Ohand)
Stay (Selena Kitt)
Sweet as Vanilla (Kis Lee)
The Glimpse (Robert Buckley)
The Wet Spot (Carys Weldon)
Tree Hugging Can Be Fun (G.C. Rider)

... with an Introduction penned by Chelsea Summers of pretty dumb things blogging fame!

Submission Deadline Looming

2008-06-15T00:00:00.001-04:00

With the submission deadline rapidly approaching, we are absolutely thrilled to announce that the Introduction for this volume of Coming Together, a collection of interracial erotic fiction & poetry, was penned by none other than NY Times Bestselling author, LA Banks!

True Colors Tour

2008-06-04T18:00:00.003-04:00

Coming Together is GOING ... to the True Colors concert in DC on Saturday 7 June! The dynamic duo of Alessia Brio & Will Belegon will be in attendance, proudly sporting their Coming Together: With Pride T-shirts and passing out promo buttons.

And check out the True Colors MySpace page. Coming Together is listed in its Top Friends!

Self-Pubbed Titles now on Fictionwise!

2008-06-02T13:00:00.003-04:00

For three days in the fall of 2006, an Internet writers' community came together in a heart rending vigil for a tiny baby girl, born before her time and taken from this world far too soon. In her precious hours with us, however, Gabrielle reached more hearts than most people do in decades. Her life was not measured by the number of breaths she took but by the depths of compassion she inspired.

Anyone who bore witness to this event can never again claim that online relationships are not real--or that they are in any way, shape, or form lesser than those taking place offline. The virtual candles glowed just as brightly, the e-hugs were just as warm, and the abundance of love just as palpable. I know that I, for one, will never be the same.For three days in the fall of 2006, an Internet writers' community came together in a heart rending vigil for a tiny baby girl, born before her time and taken from this world far too soon. In her precious hours with us, however, Gabrielle reached more hearts than most people do in decades. Her life was not measured by the number of breaths she took but by the depths of compassion she inspired.

Many of the stories and poetry contained in this volume of Coming Together were written in the wake of Gabrielle's passing. Unlike other volumes in the erotic cocktail series, this one is often sensual, but it is not explicit. It carries a theme of hope. Proceeds from its sale will be donated to BLISS, the U.K.'s premature baby charity.

Your purchase will help the next baby who leaves the womb too soon take more breaths and touch more lives. Thank you.

~ Alessia Brio

* * *

The internet is a wonderful, terrible place to make friends. Some of us, shy or just in need of a break from 'real-world' intimacy, come here believing we can enjoy the special people we meet without being vulnerable to them. Then someone like Colly proves us wrong.

My first post in the Literotica® Author's Hangout was in response to something Colly wrote in a political thread. I wouldn't have bothered, if I hadn't admired the way she expressed herself. I didn't expect to like her; it was impossible not to. Colly's toughest weapon was her abiding grace and generosity. Nothing defuses a heated feud like a sneak-attack hug that arrives out of nowhere when you're having a lousy day.

We didn't share much about our personal lives, except for the parts we had in common: Southern small-town families; the challenge of balancing love and loyalty with seemingly unbridgeable ideological differences. It would be easy to say I wasn't close to Colly, if not for the fact that she was so often the first person to welcome me back after an absence or offer her support when she knew I was facing a difficult time.

All things considered, I have to say she was a real friend. The hugs and grins and roses were real, too. The illusion was that I could control how much I cared.

I'll miss you, Colly.

~ she reads

With Pride now available!

2008-05-31T21:00:00.000-04:00

With Pride is the 8th multi-author anthology of erotic fiction in the philanthropic Coming Together series. It is about giving and about sex and about celebrating the diversity of desire. It is simultaneously naughty and wholesome, tender and taboo, raw and refined. In these pages, you can fulfill your wildest fantasies, indulge your primal nature, and embrace a variety of lifestyles. The most delicious part is that you can do it all while helping to heal the devastation of HIV and AIDS. Coming Together is erotic altruism at its finest.

To purchase:

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Coming+Together+With+Pride/exact_match=exact

http://www.amazon.com/Coming-Together-Pride-Alessia-Brio/dp/1594268924/002-9963028-4964857

peace & passion, y'all

~ Alessia

With Pride's first review

2008-05-19T17:00:00.003-04:00

I'm not the least bit surprised to read a glowing, A+ review about this book. As an editor, the quality of the submissions simply blew me away. Here's what Shira from Simply Romance Reviews had to say:

Being Yourself. Acknowledging your desires. Dealing with the loss of a loved one. Releasing pent up frustrations. Excepting what you cannot change. Experiencing the joys of Sex. These were just some of the themes of the eighteen stories that made up the eighth volume of the Coming Together Collection. All the proceeds from the sale of Coming Together - With Pride will be donated to AVERT (avert.org) to help fund HIV/AIDS research and prevention.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Coming Together - With Pride. This collection of stories and poems took me on an emotional roller coaster- joy, pain, arousal, laughter, enlightenment, love, disgust, passion, and submission. Every story was an eye-opener.

These stories were perfect in the way that they complimented each other and fit together in harmony. I highly recommend this book not just because all the proceeds go towards a greatly needed cause but because it was a beautiful collection of stories that I felt came straight from each author's soul.

Coming Together: With Pride goes on sale (ebook & print) in less than 3 weeks!

For the Cure ROCKS the Indie Book Awards!

2008-05-16T08:25:00.012-04:00

'Nuff said.

More Cyclone Aid

2008-05-10T17:00:00.005-04:00

Your purchase of Coming Together: Special Hurricane Relief Edition benefits the American Red Cross, which is now concentrating efforts to aid cyclone victims in Myanmar. Purchase this eBook today and receive 50% off toward your next Phaze.com purchase! Buy the paperback and receive 75% off your next purchase!*

* Discount coupons will be delivered in a separate e-mail following completed purchase. Visit the Phaze Coming Together page for more information on Coming Together's charity anthologies published with Phaze.

~ ~ ~

Coming Together to help the victims of Cyclone Nargis

2008-05-08T06:00:00.007-04:00

(UPDATED 5/9/08)

I'm sure you've seen the horrific numbers. Cyclone Nargis, coupled with the insular junta government of Burma (Myanmar), may be responsible for over 100,000 deaths -- and 40% of those are purported to be children. Over a million people are homeless, either because their homes have been destroyed or because 5000 sq km of Burmese land -- farms, homes, businesses -- are under water.

Author Ann Aguirre has a great fundraising effort ongoing on her blog. By sending her proof of a donation to the aid charity of your choice, you'll be entered into her drawing(s) for $250 worth of giftcard(s) to the online bookstore of your choice. Ann says:

Here’s the deal. You pick a charity and donate some money. I don’t care how much. Send me an email with a transaction number, showing that you gave to disaster relief (even just a buck), and I’ll enter you in a drawing for free books. (Note: the prizes have changed. I started at $150, but Alessia Brio is adding $50 to the pot. Lauren Dane is now kicking in $50 as well.) Now we’re looking at three winners total. We wanted to spread the love around.
The new prizes:
$150 gift card to any bookstore
$50 gift card to any bookstore
$50 gift card to any bookstore

If you tell me how much you donated in that email, I’ll give you another entry. I’d love to track how much we raise. I’ll include my own donation in the tally. Next, post a comment as a secondary tracking system for me, so I don’t lose any entries. I’ll be updating the tally in the sidebar as we go along.

The winner can pick the store where he or she spends his loot. I’ll do Amazon, B&N, Powells, wherever you want. I know contests are usually free, but even small donations will help people who are starving and homeless. A little might make a huge difference in someone else’s life.

I’m going to run this a week, so it will wrap up at midnight on May 14, and I’ll announce the winner on May 15th.

As for Coming Together, our Hurricane Relief edition is still available in both ebook and print. All proceeds go to the Red Cross for disaster relief efforts worldwide. (Although it's available from all the big stores, we raise the most $$ when these books are ordered directly from the publisher.)

By Coming Together, we can make a difference! What are you waiting for?

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

Just a few more weeks...

2008-04-30T12:00:00.005-04:00

... until the ebook & print release of Coming Together: With Pride. I finished the wrap cover last night. I'm sooooo excited!

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

Press Release

2008-04-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

For Immediate Release

Phaze Books Shows Its Pride

Cincinnati, OH – The latest in the critically acclaimed Coming Together anthology series, Coming Together: With Pride, will debut in June from Phaze Books. The release coincides with a season of Pride Week celebrations world wide. Proceeds from sales of the volume will benefit AVERT, an international HIV/AIDS education and research organization.

Having published three of the eight currently available titles in the charitable series, Phaze Books is now poised to release its fourth. The diverse collection of erotic fiction features stories by well-known authors in addition to fresh new voices in the genre. Previous Phaze titles in the series include Coming Together: For the Cure, Coming Together: Under Fire, and Coming Together: Special Hurricane Relief Edition. Each is available in both ebook and print.

All proceeds from the sale of Coming Together publications are donated to charity, with the authors and its editor, Alessia Brio, donating their time and talents. The first three volumes benefited the Electronic Frontier Foundation, but since the Special Hurricane Relief Edition was published in 2005 to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina, each volume has targeted a specific natural disaster or human need.

Coming Together anthologies have been well reviewed, receiving Top Pick and four star reviews from the romance industry's premier publication: Romantic Times BOOKlovers Magazine. In its most recent review, Romantic Times favorably compared the series to Susie Bright's Best American Erotica series. In addition, the organization was a finalist for the Electronic Published Internet Connection's (EPIC's) 2008 Friend of ePublishing Award for efforts in what Ms. Brio has termed "erotic altruism."

Phaze Books, the erotic imprint of Mundania Press LLC, is one of the fastest growing and most recognizable publishers in an exploding genre. Its unprecedented support for Coming Together puts Phaze on the cutting edge of philanthropy in the publishing industry, a commitment that will continue with the next two volumes in the series. Coming Together: At Last will have interracial theme and will benefit Amnesty International, while Coming Together: Against the Odds will include mysteries and will benefit Autism Speaks. Both are currently open for submissions and will see publication in 2009.

For more information about Coming Together: With Pride or any other title in the Coming Together series, please contact editor Alessia Brio at alessia[at]phaze.com or visit www.eroticanthology.com

# # #

[HOME]

4 Stars for Coming Together: Under Fire

2008-03-25T15:00:00.004-04:00

COMING TOGETHER UNDER FIRE
by Alessia Brio and Will Belegon, eds.

RT Rating: (4 Stars)
Category: EROTICA
Publisher: Phaze
Published: December 2007
Type: Erotic Fiction (Anthology)

The latest in the Coming Together series will captivate. If you like the Best American Erotica series, you will love this collection of short stories and poetry. Genres represented include science fiction, fantasy and romance. Each page is a demonstration in scorching sensuality. Regardless of the format, these authors deliver unique entertainment.
-------------
Summary: Comprised of stories and poetry by various authors, this is an erotic anthology with a purpose. All proceeds will be donated to victims of the 2007 Southern California wildfires. The book's contents reveal relationships affected by fire in various forms. Fire affects first-time acquaintances in "Blind Date" by Stephanie Vaughn. If poetry's your thing, you'll be intrigued by a lover's request to explore pleasure in "Ask Alice," by Selena Kitt. (Phaze, Dec. '07, 276 pp., $13.00)

—Keitha Hart

Partnership 101

2008-03-23T20:00:00.002-04:00

Will & Alessia have submitted a short "How To" piece to Literotica under the Coming Together umbrella. Please pop over & vote. Proceeds (if there are any) will be used to purchase copies of Coming Together volumes for book signings & promo. Thanks!

~ ~ ~

Partnership 101

by Coming Together©

Welcome to Coming Together, the show by and for authors of erotica! Our topic this afternoon is collaborative writing. Joining us today are two exciting authors who have Literotica to thank for their "coming together" -- Will Belegon and Alessia Brio (a/k/a "impressive" or even "Imp"). Let's give them a warm welcome. *applause*

Host: Please tell our studio audience how you two came together.

Alessia: Um, that's a little personal, don't y'think?

Will: He's referring to our writing, ya little minx. *laughter*

Alessia: Oh, right. Sorry. Well, as you said in the introduction, we met online—but we didn't jump right into bed with one another. We got to know each other pretty well first—became friends, established trust. That's important, I think, for satisfactory collaborations. Writing erotica is very much an exhibitionist endeavor. In a way, it's like masturbating in front of an audience. Doing it with a partner just doubles that exposure.

Will: And, as if that's not intimidating enough, you're trying to please your partner in addition to pleasing the crowd. Talk about performance anxiety!

Host: Interesting analogy. Okay, so how do you get started?

Alessia: No matter how often you masturbate, and how good you are at it, you can still expect to feel all the nervousness and anxiety associated with a new affair—and that's true whether you're a virgin or a veteran. Everything's fresh and exciting.

Will: And Alessia's a masturbation expert—a real crowd pleaser. She's not afraid to use some innovative tools to improve the outcome, either.

Alessia: You're no slouch yourself, mister! It can be intimidating to get involved with someone who already has a reputation for his oral—I mean, verbal—skills. You wonder how you'll measure up, y'know?

Host: So, if I'm understanding you correctly, collaborating is like whacking off together—on stage?

Will: That's an oversimplification. Our first couple of collaborations were written in this mutual masturbation kinda style—and it is a nice way to get used to one another. I'd write a section from the male character's point of view, then Alessia would write a section from the female's. It's called 'alternating third person limited point-of-view.' We'd go back and forth a few times until the story reached its—um, climax. Other than some proofreading, though, we tried to keep our hands off each other's parts.

Alessia: Yeah, and that was really tough! There were times when I so wanted to touch Will's parts—almost aching with desire—and I'm sure he felt the same.

Will: You could say that. I'm all about consent, though. I don't touch anyone's parts unless invited. And even after it became quite clear that Alessia wanted her parts touched, I was still reticent. I didn't want to risk hurting her.

Host: That seems wise. However, judging from your bodies—of work, at some point you became quite comfortable touching one another's parts. When did that occur?

Alessia: Actually, it just kinda happened. We really didn't plan it. I guess we were both ready to move the partnership to a new level. One day, we just started writing a story without ping-ponging the point of view—and one thing led to another. Apparently, we managed to put on quite a show, because we ended up getting paid for it!

Will: I'm of the opinion that those new to collaborative writing shouldn't rush into anything too complicated. Third omniscient requires an intimacy that is almost frightening in its intensity. Not only are you touching one another's parts, but you're doing it under a spotlight. The audience can no longer critique your individual performances. You succeed—or fail—as one. You come together—or not at all. The satisfaction, however, makes it well worth the risk.

Alessia: It was hard—very hard—but I managed to overcome my fears. It's still hard sometimes, but we work around it 'cause we're committed to the outcome.

Will: With care and finesse, you can stroke the hard parts. Alessia's a great stroker.

Host: Okay, so that's style. What about the technical aspects? How do you communicate with one another?

Alessia: For us, given the difference in our daily routines, it's easiest to pass a Word document back and forth via e-mail. I'm most likely to get my groove on first thing in the morning.

Will: Whereas I'm at peak in the evenings. So I milk it at night, then send it off to Alessia. She massages it in the morning, adds her piece, and sends it back. We do it all with the "Track Changes" feature turned on and make extensive use of the "Comments" tool. The comments alone in one of our collaborations would make for a good story.

Alessia: Now, we've heard from other collaborators that they role play their characters in an instant messenger session. We've not tried that...

Will: 'Cause it could get a little sticky.

Host: Sticky, eh? Right.

Alessia: The secret, really—and the toughest part—is to be totally open with your partner. If you hold back, you're not gonna be fully satisfied. For example, if you have a problem telling your partner, "I think you should stroke it this way," then perhaps collaboration is not for you. You'd be better off sticking to the solo action.

Host: Doesn't e-mail slow you down, though, when you're developing your story lines?

Will: Yeah, sometimes. For plotting, the transcript of a chat session can serve as a rough outline. But for the most involved stories, we usually resort to aural.

Alessia: Oral's the best, really. If given my druthers, I'd opt for oral almost every time. The outcome is much improved. Really.

Will: I said aural, not oral, you insatiable little...

Alessia: Oh. Well, aural's good—but oral's better. No doubt about THAT!

Host: You make it sound so easy.

Alessia: I am—I mean, it is—easy once that trust is established. But I don't let just anyone touch my parts, I'll have you know! I'm extremely picky about that. For a collaboration to be most effective, partners need to be on the same page in terms of WHY they're in bed together in the first place. For some, it's just a quick roll in the hay—and there's nothing wrong with that. Others are more emotionally invested and/or goal-oriented.

Will: There can even be multiple reasons—and they can vary from piece to piece. It's just important to be clear about them so that you understand where your partner is coming from. Communication is critical in any successful team endeavor.

Host: What about multiple partners?

Will: Simultaneously? We've certainly talked about it, and it's undoubtedly territory we'll explore in much more depth. We both want it, but it does introduce a whole new set of challenges. I think a cameo might be the best way to test those waters before getting into anything too intricate.

Alessia: I agree. A three-way in third omniscient would be damned difficult, but that's not to say it can't be done and done well. In third limited, though, it'd be much easier. Tag team style, so to speak. Each gives head—I mean, picks a head—and focuses completely on it, attacking only from that perspective.

Will: Now, individually is a different story. I've done it with someone else. Alessia has not. Or if she has, she hasn't told me about it. We're both open to the idea of hooking up with others outside of our partnership. Again, that trust is key.

Alessia: Without a solid foundation, it's easy to see how you might feel threatened by your partner's desire to branch out. I look at it this way: Either I have what it takes to keep my partner coming back for more, or I don't. If I don't, then it's only a matter of time before he (or she) decides to move on. I mean, why invest gobs of time and energy into a partnership that's not meeting your needs? That just results in anger and hurt feelings. It's better for all involved to just let it fade away and move on—either solo or with another partner. No hard feelings.

Host: Well, you've certainly given our audience a lot to think about. Thank you. Any parting words of advice for folks who want to attempt doing it with a partner?

Alessia: Leave your ego at the door and don't be afraid to let it all hang out.

Will: And prepare yourself for a wild ride!

~ ~ ~

Rather gratifying ...

2008-03-23T15:00:00.005-04:00

Screen capture from today. Click to enlarge ...

New Recording in the Store!

2008-02-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

There's a tasty new sound bite in the Coming Together: Out Loud store!

Nuit Blanche was written and recorded by Giselle Renarde. It appears in Coming Together: With Pride, which will be available in both ebook & print in June 2008 from Phaze.

Proceeds benefit AVERT.

Interview in Lucrezia Magazine!

2008-02-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

The February (GLBT-themed) issue of Lucrezia Magazine is now available and it features an in-depth interview about Coming Together!

~ ~ ~

New Promo Video!

2008-01-31T21:00:00.000-05:00

Kindled

2008-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

The first three volumes of Coming Together are now available for Amazon Kindle!

Out Loud

2008-01-25T16:00:00.000-05:00

The Coming Together: Out Loud store is now LIVE on MySpace! Check back often for new downloadable tracks of your favorite Coming Together artists.

~ ~ ~

Friend of ePublishing Nomination

2008-01-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

Oh, wow! Coming Together has received a nomination for EPIC's Friend of ePublishing! Not only that, but the nomination was seconded, thirded, fourthed, and fifthed -- and some very nice words were spewed on its behalf.

Voting is for the membership only, and the winner will be announced at EPICon (Portland, March 2008). Wish us luck!

Under Fire at Joyfully Reviewed

2008-01-24T12:00:00.000-05:00

Join some of the authors and poets of Coming Together: Under Fire from noon 'til 6pm Eastern today on Joyfully Reviewed's Yahoo!Group! They'll be posting excerpts and talking about what inspired their hot contributions to this charity anthology.

~ ~ ~

Against the Odds

2008-01-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

All behavior is communication. The trick is to figure out just what it's saying. No behavior communicates as clearly or on as many levels as sex. All the physical and emotional senses are engaged. Add the element of intrigue, and the intellect is engaged as well.

Phaze, in partnership with editor, Alessia Brio, is now accepting submissions for Coming Together: Against the Odds, a collection of erotic fiction with a mystery theme.

We're seeking short stories up to 12K words. (There is no minimum length.) Poetry will also be considered. Reprints are welcome as long as the author owns ebook & print rights.

Same sex, ménage, and BDSM submissions are welcome. Absolutely NO bestiality, pedophilia, necrophilia, bodily waste, incest, underage sex, or positively portrayed rape will be considered.

All proceeds from the sale of this special anthology will benefit Autism Speaks.

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Hot, Wet, and Now in Print!

2008-01-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

With 15 rain-soaked stories and 7 storm-inspired poems, the Special Hurricane Relief Edition of the serial anthology Coming Together proves that water cannot put out some fires.

All royalties from the sales of this volume will be donated to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts.

Coming Together is "erotic altruism" at its finest!

ISBN
1-59426-547-X / 978-1-59426-547-1 (ebook)
1-59426-952-1 / 978-1-59426-952-3 (print)

CONTENTS:
Introduction (G.C. Rider); Wave Length (Lauren Hynde); The Fury (Sherry Hawk); Thunder Beach (Dranoel); Identity (Liar); Wet Panties? (Will Belegon); Ridden Tempest (Harley Stone); Deluge (Vella); it's raining (Jamison Landry); Encore: Passadumkeag Waltz (Dave Edgar); A Storm in Time (Savannah Reardon); When It Rains, It Pours (Honey); Wetter Has Never Been Better (Alessia Brio); Katrina Dances (Moonlight Elf); Nouveau Soleil (Rebecca Leah); Katrina (Wicked Eve); Heather's Baptism (Justanne Farrow); Curiosity Is Not Becoming, Kajira (Alex de Kok); Grande Dame (BooMerengue); A Break in the Storm (Pat Daniels); Riding the Rain (Duel Citizen); Romance of Atlantis (Blue Rains); Tsunami (Dr. Mabeuse)

Drumroll, please!

2008-01-04T19:00:00.001-05:00

Announcing the line-up for Coming Together: With Pride (in no particular order) ...

Introduction ~ Will Belegon
Today ~ Kally Jo Surbeck
Raven ~ James Buchanan
A Girl's Best and Earthy Things ~ Heather Fowler
Dom at the Bar ~ Mari Freeman
Echoes of the Past ~ Mychael Black
A Brief Discourse... ~ P.S. Haven
When the Angels Fall ~ Helen Madden
Customer Service ~ Eon de Beaumont
Nuit Blanche ~ Giselle Renarde
Western Pleasure ~ Shanna Germain
Chemistry ~ Lisabet Sarai
Fire and Ice ~ Cassie Exline
An Early Winter Train ~ C. Sanchez-Garcia
Selling Foxx ~ I.M. Cupnjava
Be Prepared ~ Storm Grant
Freedom to Serve ~ Nicole Gestalt
The Personal Is Political ~ Jean Roberta
Past Perfect ~ Alessia Brio

Release is scheduled for the first week of June 2008 to coincide with a season of Pride events worldwide.

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