The Starter Bookshelf – Part 2

Angela Knight asked me for my favorite reference books for writing BDSM-flavored scenes. This bibliography also appears in her book, Passionate Ink: A Guide to Writing Erotic Romance.

This list is slanted toward female authors writing heterosexual scenes.

Hope it helps you too -

Introductory books
There is no such thing as an encyclopedia of BDSM. However, there are good introductory books that cover a large number of topics in encouraging, non-judgmental tones. In my opinion, these two books are complementary. However, some people, because of their topical overlap, prefer one or the other.

1. Miller, Philip and Molly Devon. Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns: The Romance and Sexual Sorcery of Sadomasochism Mystic Rose Books, 1988. ISBN 0964596008. This book covers almost everything in a very chatty, friendly fashion with lots of illustrations and details. It’s definitely heterosexually focused, with a male dominant and a female submissive.
2. Wiseman, Jay. SM 101: A Realistic Introduction. Greenery Press, 1998. ISBN 0963976389. This is an honest introduction, written by a man who’s been in the scene for over 25 years and is a retired paramedic. It includes perspectives from bisexuals, lesbians, female dominants, etc.which are lacking in Miller and Devon’s book.

Must have
One commentator remarked that a BDSM is like chocolate ice cream: 98% vanilla ice cream and 2% chocolate. But all you remember is the chocolate. As a writer, if you already understand how to write a vanilla erotic scene, in order to turn it into a BDSM, all you have to know is how to add the 2% BDSM twist. But I have found very few books that clearly explain how to do this from a heterosexual perspective.

1. Warren, John, Ph.D. The Loving Dominant. Revised, updated second edition. Greenery Press, 2000. ISBN 1890159204. This is actually an excellent introduction to BDSM that includes information for dominants of all genders and orientations. But John is an alpha male with a protective streak a male wide. He explains very clearly why he does things and why they have such a strong effect on his submissive. Once you have read and absorbed this book, you’ll be prepared to create almost any BDSM scene imaginable.

Commonly-discussed topics

1. Campbell, Drew. The Bride Wore Black Leather…and he looked fabulous!: An Etiquette Guide for the Rest of Us. Greenery Press, 2002. ISBN 1573441449. When you’re writing about situations that aren’t covered by the usual dictates of common sense, this is a starting point. It’s wonderfully matter-of-fact and superbly illustrated, too.
2. Easton, Dossie & Janet W. Hardy. The New Bottoming Book. Greenery Press, 2001. ISBN 1890159352. This book teaches that “bottoming”(or being a submissive, or a masochist) is just as much an art and worthy of respect as being a “top” (or a “dominant” or a “sadist”). It also delves into the why and how, with some wonderfully insightful anecdotes.
3. Easton, Dossie & Janet W. Hardy. The New Topping Book. Greenery Press, 2003. ISBN 1890159360. This book is a legendary starting point for tops, especially in its discussion of ethics and rituals.
4. Moser, Charles, Ph.D., M.D. and J.J. Madeson. Bound to be Free: The SM Experience. The Continuum Publishing Company, 1996. Co-written by an SM practitioner and a therapist specializing in SM behavior, this book was the first to explore sadomasochism from both a clinical and practicing point of view. I find this book the most useful of the academic studies because it’s written in the most approachable language.
5. Wiseman, Jay. Jay Wiseman’s Erotic Bondage Handbook. Greenery Press, 2000. ISBN 18900159131. This is the must-have book for bondage, no matter what technique you intend to use or how experienced you are in tying knots. It includes a full discussion of how to prepare the scene, the equipment, and the risks involved.

Extra-credit

1. Brame, William and Gloria Brame. Different Loving: The World of Sexual Dominance and Submission. Villard, 1996. ISBN 0679769560. Written in very dry language, this is a very solid overview of BDSM. If you’re researching the more unusual BDSM practices (e.g., golden showers, infantilism), read this and/or Moser and Madeson books before you hit the websites.
2. Midori. The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage. Greenery Press, 2001. ISBN 1890159387. Japanese rope bondage is legendary for being both beautiful and difficult. Midori’s book shows very clearly how to do it and includes some beautiful illustrations, which bring rope bondage’s attraction to life.