There are just a couple of weeks left until the deadline for my military erotic romance collection Duty and Desire!

Duty and Desire: Military Erotic Romance for Women
Edited by Kristina Wright for Cleis Press
Submission Deadline: October 15
Publication: Fall 2012
Payment: $50 per story and two copies of the book, on publication
E-mail:

The only thing stronger than the call of duty is the call of desire!  This anthology of military erotic romance will serve up a team of hot-blooded men (and women) from every branch of the military who serve their country and follow their hearts wherever they might be stationed.  When the mission is done, the unit is recalled or the ship pulls into port, they set their sights on a new target—the pursuit of passion and love.  In and out of uniform, stateside and abroad, these military warriors meet passion and danger head on.  All’s fair in love and war—in and out of uniform.

Heterosexual in focus with a female audience in mind, Duty and Desire will include stories of U.S. soldiers, sailors, aviators, Marines and Special Forces (Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, etc.).  However, members of the British Royal Navy, Israeli Army and all other international military personnel are welcome, as well!  The usual taboos apply. While I won’t hold you to the letter of the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice), I do not want to see stories with military members engaging in illegal activities. 

In erotic romance, the sexual component is critical to the development of the romantic relationship. According to Romance Writers of America, a romance must include two key elements: a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying, optimistic ending.  So be sure to give me a romantic story with scorching hot sex and a happily-ever-after or happy-for-now ending.

Submission Guidelines:  Unpublished stories only, no simultaneous submissions.  The desired story length is 2,000-4,500 words. Double-space and indent the first line of each paragraph.  Do not put extra spaces between paragraphs. Include your full contact information (legal name/pseudonym, mailing address and phone number) and a bio of 50 words or less written in the third person.  Please paste your story into the body of your e-mail and attach it as a Microsoft Word .doc file.  I will consider up to three stories per author.

Payment will be $50 per story and 2 copies of the book upon publication.  Contributors retain the rights to their stories. Please note that Cleis Press has final approval over the manuscript.

Send your submission to with Submission: Story Title in the subject line.  Please direct any questions to the same address. 

Posted by Kristina in Writing at 02:19 PM Permalink

I had a baby 19 days ago. My second baby. What’s my life like right now?  Crazy. Chaotic. Exhausting. Wonderful. Scary. Painful. Joyful. Overwhelming. I’m riding the postpartum rollercoaster-- sometimes I’m so high on life I think I can accomplish anything-- and I try to do just that.  Then I overdo it by pushing myself too hard and hit rock bottom, quite certain my life will never be peaceful or mine again. In the course of 24 hours, I can go from bouncing off the walls with energy to sobbing in the shower in utter defeat. Oh, hormones. Oh, life.

I’m officially back to work. I say officially because even though I was never really not working, yesterday I had to stop pretending I could choose to take time off when in the span of a couple of hours I had several emails, a phone call and various immediate tasks to complete related to three different books. I was up working until 1 AM-- this is not something I would necessarily choose to do at 19 days postpartum, but it had to be done. Right now, I have to beg, borrow and steal time whenever I can. And I’m grateful for the work and thrilled with the books I have coming out-- Steamlust releases next month, Best Erotic Romance in December.  Writing (and editing) sustains me through the frustration of toddler tantrums and newborn sleep cycles right now. Though I could probably use some sleep myself.

After Patrick was born and I felt overwhelmed with the task of taking care of a newborn (I had no previous experience with babies and no help), a wise writer friend told me to slow down and stop expecting so much from myself. She wrote me a lovely email of support and understanding and it meant the world to me, maybe because we weren’t much more than acquaintances and she’d taken the time to reach out to me.  In any case, I saved that email, not knowing that I’d soon have a second child and need her advice again.  Part of what she said to me:

...try to do one thing every day, however small, that can’t be undone by another load of laundry, etc. Just some tiny thing to make you feel as though you’ve actually accomplished something OTHER than being Patrick’s mama. Something for YOU. Even if it’s only reading ten pages of a book or a magazine article, whatever. And remind yourself that every day is one day closer to that seemingly elusive routine, one day closer to his sleeping through the night...

Truth be told, there are days when doing one thing is simply too much. I’m exhausted because, even with Jay being home and having so much more support this time than I did when Patrick was born, I have two children now and I’m older than I was then and I’m still recovering from surgery (which has been harder and more complicated this time).  On the other hand, I’ve had some amazing stretches of sleep (4 hours = amazing in Kristinaland) that I haven’t had in at least six months , thanks to Jay’s stoic ability to juggle a tired toddler and a crying newborn. We also have a terrific babysitter who has been great about schedule adjustments. One day last week, I was in bed from 8:30 PM until nearly 4 PM the next day. Granted, I wasn’t sleeping the entire time or even half of it-- but oh the joy of being able to stay in bed, cuddle a newborn, tickle a toddler and not have to do anything else. It was much needed rest therapy. If only I could get a couple of days a week like that. But then, my mild case of Type A personality already rears its head when I have a perfectly good excuse to do nothing, so I don’t know if I could spend that much time laying about even if I am fantasizing about it.

It took me weeks to feel like I accomplished anything after Patrick was born, but this time I’ve already had days when I not only accomplished one thing-- I’ve sometimes accomplishedtwo and three things, too!  I’ve written some, I’ve blogged some, I’ve worked on editing and promo for upcoming books and I’ve even managed (so far) to keep up with my blogging commitment at Oh Get a Grip! (though I wonder about the quality of my writing). It was nearly three months before I was able to get out of the house without Patrick to work in my usual fashion, now I’ve already spent a few hours here and there working at Starbucks (both with and without Lucas), feeling the pull of the familiar routine before I need to go home. I didn’t get out to see a movie for over three months the first time around, but I’ve already gone to a movie (I Don’t Know How She Does It-- timely escapism), which was followed by lovely wine, good conversation and live music.

I’m dealing with the baby blues, recovering from surgery ("major abdominal surgery,” I’m often reminded), coping with a nasty allergic reaction to the pain meds they sent me home with (which manifested itself as a miserable itchy rash that has driven me around the bend), postpartum high blood pressure and occasional blinding headaches, and the aforementioned exhaustion of having a precocious 21 month old toddler who is also going through an adjustment phase and a beautiful newborn who hasn’t yet figured out the difference between day and night.  I’ve taken care of both babies all by myself for several hours, with both of them awake most of that time. That doesn’t sound like much, but right now it’s a big accomplishment.

I’ve run errands (I drove Saturday night for the first time in two weeks), I’ve eaten out with my family (no small task with two under two and me unable to pick up anything heavier than the newborn),I’ve ordered birth announcements and gone food shopping. I’ve watched some television (season premieres of Two and a Half Men and Castle last night), thumbed through a few catalogs and thought about holiday shopping and read a few chapters of Bad Mother by Ayelet Waldman. Before Patrick, I read all the how-to baby books, this time I’ve gone a different direction. Though I still intend to reread both Baby Whisperer books-- for baby and toddler.

I’ve thought about Patrick’s second birthday and contemplated travel plans (book promo + vacation) for next year.  I’ve thought about sex, because even if the body can’t, the mind still wants what it wants. I’ve thought about exercising, moving my body in ways it hasn’t moved in a year-- or three.  I’ve thought about what I’m going to write when I have more than an hour to myself when I’m truly alert and lucid and able to be creative. I’ve thought about stories I need to send out and stories I need to write.  I’ve thought about the nonfiction book proposal I’m supposed to pitch soon, soon, soon. I’ve made a few phone calls and sent probably a thousand text messages, because texting is easier when babies are crying or eating or sleeping. Texting is soothing. Click, tap, words.

I’ve reached out to friends, not because I need help (which I probably do) but because I just need a smile or a reminder that I’m still me and there is still a great big world outside my door.  I’ve nested and cocooned and hibernated. I’ve enjoyed a rainy Sunday with my exhausted family, I’ve reveled in the autumn-like drop in temperature. I’ve drank caffeine-- coffee is a blessing right now-- and made the most of the burst of energy that followed. I’ve eaten spicy food and not needed to pop a Tums afterward. I’ve gone hours without having to go to the bathroom. I’ve slept on my stomach and on my back. I’ve written thank you cards and mailed them. I’ve thrown away dying flowers and folded laundry. I’ve made tentative plans-- for lunch, coffee, dinner, a movie, a chat, some girl time. I’ve gone to doctors appointments and taken Lucas to doctor’s appointments. I’ve made play dates for Patrick, I’ve had people over for dinner and enjoyed the semi-chaotic fun of having five adults, two toddlers and a newborn crowded in my eat-in kitchen. I’ve bought wine that sits chilling in my refrigerator for those evenings when only a glass of wine will do. (Which is most nights, right?) I have taken pictures of beautiful children at play and at rest. I have studied my wrinkles, stretch marks and scars in the mirror and been both depressed and impressed. It’s amazing what the body can do-- and the marks time and trauma will leave behind.

I’ve thought a lot about the past and even more about the future. I’ve reveled in the now. I’ve forgiven myself for doing nothing, I’m patted myself on the back for accomplishing more than I expected-- or others expected. I’ve been told I rock, I’m amazing, I’m crazy. I’ve been told I need to slow down, write a book, tell others how I do it. I’ve been supported in ways I didn’t even know I needed support and I’ve detected a note of horror in the “Better you than me!” comments I’ve heard about having two children so close together (and at my age). I’ve wondered what the hell I’m doing and I’ve embraced the wisdom in the saying, “Everything happens for a reason.” I have lots of plans and no regrets. I’ve had more good days than bad.

That’s my life in the past 19 days. Not much different than usual, really. Just me, finding my balance.

Posted by Kristina in Life at 03:16 PM Permalink

Okay, not until next month-- but it’s already making a splash!  Check this out:

A four star review from RT Book Reviews that calls it an “erotic paean to steampunk.”

A lovely review from no other than Publishers Weekly that raves: “Not content to titillate, these passionate vignettes will also satisfy steampunk fans intellectually with nuanced discussions of self-sufficient women and the roles that machines play in our lives.” (Oooh… passionate and intellectual-- that’s quite a compliment!)

Over 400 hits on YouTube in 8 days for Nikki Magennis’s incredible Steamlust book trailer! Have you seen it yet??

Isn’t it beautiful? (And I am so honored Escape the Clouds let us use their beautiful music. It’s perfect!)

Steamlust: Steampunk Erotic Romance releases on October 11!

Posted by Kristina in Writing at 08:55 PM Permalink

He is a big, beautiful boy with an amazing amount of hair! I am in baby euphoria right now-- and it’s only partially because of the pain medication they sent me home with.

Posted by Kristina in Pregnancy and Baby at 12:43 AM Permalink

Dear Patrick,

I’m sorry I haven’t written you more often-- after you were born I had every intention of writing you a letter every month.  But the time slips by and my intentions fall by the wayside even while I marvel at all you have learned and accomplished in the time I have known you.  You are just shy of being 21 months old and I cannot believe that in three months my sweet baby monkey will be turning two.  I still call you my baby even though you are very much a toddler, into everything and exploring the world.  I can see the little boy you are becoming and, because you have your father’s features, I can imagine the man you will be.  You are everything I could want in a child and so much more than I ever expected.

It is just after midnight on September 1 and these are the last few hours that you will be my only child.  Your baby brother will be born this morning!  After you, I wasn’t sure I wanted any more children or if I could have another one even if I did. You were something of a miracle-surprise and it seemed too much to expect that we could be so fortunate again. But miracle-surprises happen sometimes-- and sometimes they happen more than once.  We were very lucky.  The time has flown by and in a few days, we’ll be bringing your brother home.  He will be moving into your old room because it is smaller and much more suitable as a nursery and you’ve been given a bigger “big boy’s” room, which has caused me a bit of sadness because I can’t think of you as a big boy.  Not yet.

Even though your father and I are excited about our growing family, there is a part of me that will miss these months of it being just the three of us. For the first five months of your life, it was just you and me-- learning about each other and muddling through the best we could until we found a rhythm and routine that worked for us.  It was a difficult but amazing experience.  And while I was so very grateful to have your father home from deployment, I did miss the time you and I shared alone. This is no different-- it is an adjustment and a very good adjustment at that-- but things are about to change for our family once again and I know I will look back on these weeks and months and feel melancholy for a time when you were my only baby and we were a family of three.

I have no doubt there will be ups and downs in the coming weeks and I will likely count on you to be more patient and well-behaved than I have any right to ask of you (not that you’re not a terrific kid, but you are still a toddler!).  And yet I suspect you will surprise me in this as you have surprised me in so many other ways. You are so smart and funny-- and so sweet and gentle with animals (real and stuffed) that I know you will be a terrific big brother. Like I said, I can’t really comprehend you being a “big” anything-- but I know when we bring your brother home and I’m reminded of how helpless he is and how much we have to learn about him, you will seem to have grown up right before my eyes. And your familiarity will be a comfort when your brother is crying and I can’t figure out what he needs. (I’m also counting on you to use your big brother magical wisdom to help guide me!)

I know you won’t remember being the only child in our family, but I do hope that you will love having a brother. I hope you will be playmates and confidants and, yes, partners-in-crime in a good natured way. While every change is adjustment, it’s hard to see anything negative about this change-- there will be more love and laughter in our house, more fun and silliness and toys. You will have someone to grow up with and your father and I will have two amazing little boys to raise. All good and wonderful things. I will try very hard to remember all of that in the coming months when I’m trying to cope with sleepless nights with your brother and those defiant toddler moments you sometimes have.

Thank you for being my first baby, Patrick. If not for your amazing personality and sweet smile, I might not have even considered going down this path a second time. You have made it all worthwhile and I suspect I will feel the same about your brother. But no matter what, you will always be my first baby-- and for the next 7 hours you are my only baby. Thank you for coming into my life and rocking my world in the best possible way. You are, now and always, my baby.

Mama loves you.

Posted by Kristina in Pregnancy and Baby in Pregnancy 2011 at 12:28 AM Permalink