The Academy is Back in Print

The Academy is now back in print, and available as an e-book, thanks to the marvelous Circlet Press. Book Four continues the Marketplace saga, and gives readers a sense of The Marketplace's truly international reach.

“ In this volume, Antoniou, with a little help from her friends, creates a sort of Arabian Nights of the Marketplace, with individual stories woven into a larger tale full of political intrigue, difficult choices, and of course, searingly hot sex. There’s nothing else like this is in the world of erotic writing." -- Lori Selke

A little help from my friends, indeed! The Academy is different from my other Marketplace novels, because I've embedded short stories within the novel, to give distinctly different voices to the trainers who tell each other their stories. The trainers are voiced by guest authors Karen Taylor, Cecilia Tan, Michael Hernandez, david stein, and M. Christian. 

The lovely book  cover, created by my friend and cover artist Lochai Stine,  lets you know that this novel takes place in Japan, where a conclave of slave trainers are meeting, including Chris Parker, the lead character of the series. While the trainers swap cautionary tales and debate, moves are being made that may change the Marketplace, and even Chris' role within it. For an excerpt from the "The Academy," click here.

My long-time fans know that one of the "added benefits" of buying a new e-book edition of my books is that I add a new short story to the new e-book editions.   I've continued that tradition here, with a fun story called "Inside Straight" that features a young trainee off in search of an appropriate playdate for his Trainer.  (By the way, I also release the short stories from the previous e-book releases, so they're available for separate download - you can find them at the Circlet website, as well as through your favorite e-book sellers.)

I will have copies of the new edition, along with the first three books, at my upcoming readings, beginning in New York City at the Ravenous Reading: Gay Pride Edition, on Friday, July 6th. The monthly Ravenous Readings take  place the first Friday of each month at the Happy Endings Lounge on the Lower East Side. The reading begins at 8:00 and is free. Ravenous Romance is one of my publishers – check them out, and come to the reading!

I'll be headed West after that, to Denver, Austin, and the wilds of New Jersey.  Check out my calendar at the top of the page to see where I'll be.  And if I'm not getting to your part of the world soon enough, why not bring me there? Check out my "Hire Laura" page for details.

Awards, Readings, and More

My spring has been busy with writing, editing, and prepping for a summer of book signings and presentations.

I'm proud that my story about Chris Parker, The Man With the Phoenix Tattoo, is in a Lambda Literary Award-Winning Anthology. The story also won 2012 the John Preston short story award, given by the National Leather Association - International. You can buy it in "Take Me There: Trans and Gender Queer Erotica." 

The recognition that these two awards have provided have definitely inspired me and kept me writing.  I'm still at work on Book Six of the Marketplace, The Inheritor, and hope to have it wrapped up by the end of the year.

In the meantime, I've got another short story in a new anthology: "Demon Lovers: Succubi" edited by Deborah Teramis Christian. "One Drop" is the story of Joyce, who wishes her gentle, kind, and understanding lover had just a touch of kinkiness.  But when Joyce fantasizes of a more sadistic element to their play style, she is unprepared for the hideous, bloody glory of a demon who truly delights in violence and degradation.

I've also put the finishing touches on the first of what I hope will be several Marketplace "fan fiction" collections. The contributors include well-known erotica authors and first-time writers, but they all share a love of the Marketplace universe. Expect to see the anthology out by the end of the year.

Another project I've put to bed is a new novel that I hope will be out in spring 2013. Keep your eyes peeled for The Killer Wore Leather, a comedic murder mystery that takes place at the Mr. and Ms. Global Leather (and Bootblack) Competition. I've been reading excerpts from this book at events all year - and if you want to hear something from it, look for me at some of these upcoming events:

Friday, July 7th, New York City

I'm reading at Ravenous Nights, the monthly erotic reading that takes place the first Friday of each month at the Happy Endings Lounge on the Lower East Side. The reading begins at 8:00 and is free. Ravenous Romance is one of my publishers - check them out, and come to the reading.

Friday, July 13-Sunday, July 15th, Denver

I'm returning to one of my favorite leather events, Thunder in the Mountains, where I'm presenting two new workshops: SUBvert the DOMinant Paradigm: Alternative Models to D/s Relationships, and Serious Players: Taking Responsibility For Your Choices." I'm also joining a panel with some of the best-known kinksters in the scene, entitled "Reality Bites." And of course, I'll have books to sell.

July 20-22, Austin

I'm headed to Texas to join GWNN's 19th Birthday Bash as a keynote speaker, and presenting "Serious Players: Taking Responsibility for Your Choices." I'll also be doing a reading and booksigning while visiting the Lone Star State.

August 3-5, Edison, NJ

I'm returning to "The Floating World," one of the largest kink events on the East Coast. I'll be reading and signing books as well as presenting workshops.

Somewhere in there, keep your eyes out for some upcoming announcements about the re-release of The Academy: Book Four in the Marketplace, as well as a few other writing projects.