While the media is increasing the visibility of 'kinky folks' including a BDSM storyline on Desperate Housewives, many people do not understand BDSM.

While the media is increasing the visibility of 'kinky folks' including a BDSM storyline on Desperate Housewives, many people do not understand BDSM.

With an estimated 10 to 14% of the Western adult population practicing BDSM, and 50% stating an interest in the subject, it's no wonder more and more adults are having to think about BDSM.

As Gracie Passette says "No longer is BDSM something 'other people do,' but something you might do… Maybe your partner comes to you and asks for a spanking, and you don't have a clue how to reply. Maybe you've found your partner has been looking at some rather intense BDSM websites and you'd like to understand "why." Or maybe you're the one with a specific fantasy, and you wonder what that says about you… After all, What kind of a person participates in BDSM? So we created a book that looks at BDSM from several points of view - not a 'how to' or a scientific textbook, but personal stories written to help folks understand."

Sex~Kitten.net Presents: The BDSM Issue is a collection of articles, some original and some previously seen at Sex-Kitten.Net, on the topic of BD/SM. The first in a series devoted to women's sexuality, the BDSM Issue covers this controversial sexual aspect from a personal point of view. Composed of numerous short essays, the BDSM issue covers BDSM from personal accounts on both sides of the fence.

Reviewer Danielle King, wrote "This book contains everything from articles and opinions to poetry and erotica, all packaged in an innocuous pretty little pink and black and white bedside reader. While serious practitioners of the arts that fall under the umbrella of BDSM may be tempted turn up their noses at this book, I found it worth several read throughs. For anyone flirting with the idea of getting involved in the lifestyle, this book offers plenty of nuggets of advice both pro and con."

Gracie Passette, editor of the book, says, "The unique thing about this book, is that this isn't some 'join us' BDSM membership drive. We include the thoughts of many who enjoy BDSM or aspects of BDSM in their sex play, but we also include the stories of those who have tried BDSM and just don't like it. We don't preach that there is one answer only: that you must participate in BDSM - rather we are trying to draw the drapes, and let folks really look at BDSM for what it is. There are risks. In addition to possible physical violations, there are emotional ones as well. As Yeats said, "The tragedy of sexual intercourse is the perpetual virginity of the soul." Perhaps you are not ready to break this cherry."

Passette continues, "At best, we hope readers understand the motivations, the tenderness and affections, the fragile human needs which lie within a world considered to be so rough & tumble. Hopefully, if nothing else, readers learn to respect such desires, so that when they discuss adding BDSM or elements of BDSM to their relationships, they don't laugh the whole off and hurt their partners."

While this book was created to help those considering BDSM, those who are participating in BDSM also have also found the book worthwhile.

Sensuous Sadie, the founder of Rose & Thorn, Vermont's first BDSM group, and one of the authors included in the book, was herself surprised by the completed book: "I have quite the library of BDSM books, and with all these books there's one thing that I've never read that I did find in Sex-Kitten.net Presents: The BDSM Issue. That is that the book included the voices of people who had explored the scene and found that, well, it wasn't quite right for them."

She continues: "You see, we in the scene are a closed community in that we all like what we're doing. So we never really hear the message of the people that it's not working for. Of course BDSM isn't for everyone, but what really interested me was to hear why it didn't work for these few writers. That was the special gift of this book. Thank you for including their stories, because surely even those of us neck deep in things have had our doubts now and then."

This book is a practical way for individuals to sort through their own feelings about BDSM as well as a starting point of communication for couples to discuss their feelings and needs. Counselors, sex therapists and others facilitating discussions on relationships and human sexuality will find the book a useful tool in their work.

As Gracie says "Safe, Sane & Consensual: it's the mantra of the BDSM community. But you can't be safe, sane or consent to anything if you don't understand it."

The book is available to consumers via Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and for retailers via Ingram Book Group and the publisher, Ephemera Bound http://www.ephemera-bound.com/catalog.php.

ISBN: 0977100359

Contact:
Deanna Dahslad Deanna@equilibri-yum.com Phone: 1-888-642-3043
Gracie Passette Gracie@sex-kitten.net Phone: (866) I-Sex-Tale