Local Erotic Author Dominates at Addictions

An author of three erotica novels as well as poetry and short fiction, I.G. Frederick launches her newest novel "Dommemoir" on Oct. 7, at Addictions Body Piercing & Tattoo. To celebrate the launch she offers an autograph signing and a reading as part of the event.

Frederick’s novels explore the theme of sexual submission and BDSM culture. Her latest novel tells the story of Lady Genevieve, a woman who has searched for happiness in conventional ways only to find herself trapped in a passionless life. The reader accompanies her as she seeks her salvation in the form of complete sexual power.

Frederick entered the genre of erotica both by passion and process of elimination.

“The first erotica short story I wrote was also the first short story I sold," she said. "After several years of successful erotica short story sales and no sales in other genres, I decided I'd found my calling.”

Frederick believes it is the basic human fascination with power that draws followers to dominance Erotica.

“Power exchange is incredibly titillating," she said. "Taking control of someone (or ceding it), whether for a few hours of hot sex or for a long-term relationship, requires amazing trust and develops an intense intimacy beyond anything possible in a vanilla relationship.”

Many of her stories are cautionary tales, exploring deeper themes than just sex, such as the disillusioned life, or the differences between abuse and BDSM.

“I’ve only admitted to writing erotica because I believe my work does have literary/artistic value beyond stimulating sexual desire,” Frederick said.

“One of the primary messages I would like to share with my readers is that if you aren't true to your own nature, you'll only make yourself and everyone around you miserable. If reading Dommemoir gives only a few people the courage to explore their deepest, darkest desires, it will have accomplished its primary mission.”

I.G. Frederick reads and signs autographs from 5 to 8 p.m, during First Wednesday. Addictions is located at 176 Liberty St. SE in Salem. For more information, visit Frederick’s website at www.eroticawriter.net.

Local Author Finalist for the Oregon Book Award

Gina Ochsner is a finalist for this year’s Oregon Book Award’s Ken Kesey Award, with her soon to be released first novel "The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight."

To be released in February "The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight" follows the lives of three Russian families living in the same condemned building in the town of Perm. The story concerns heckling ghosts, appalling art collections, and the urgent need to provide touring Americans with the appropriate experience of “Russia.”

Russian culture is a familiar theme to readers of Ochsner. Her two previously published short story collections explore a great deal about Slavic ethnicity. Born and raised in Salem, Ochsner credits her home city with inspiring this aspect of her work.

“Curiosity and a fascination for all things Slavic keeps me interested in Russian history and culture." she said. "As a child, I was utterly intrigued by the various Russian émigré communities in and about the Salem and Woodburn area.”

Ochsner spoke of an early fascination with the nuances of local Russian women’s head scarves, who wore what, and why.

“As a girl, I wanted to know what the distinctions were between the various groups: Russian orthodox, Molokhans, Old Believers. I’d check out books from the library, those large oversized picture books kept on the bottom shelf, and these pictures showed a Russia indescribably beautiful, vast, and beyond whatever I would try to make of it.”

Ochsner, who lives in Keizer with her husband and four children, received her MFA from the University of Oregon. Her first collection of short stories "The Necessary Grace to Fall," published in 2002, won the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction. If Ochsner does win an Oregon Book Award this year, it will be her second. Her short story collection, "People I Wanted to Be" won the 2006 OBA for short fiction."

This years Oregon Book Awards Ceremony is held October 26 at the Gerding Theater in Portland. Tickets start at $17 and are available at brownpapertickets.com or by calling 800-838-3006.