title: Fist of the Spider Woman: Tales of Fear and Queer Desire
author:  Amber Dawn 
description: <i>Fist of the Spider Woman</i> is a brave, bold, eye-opening book. Amber Dawn deserves credit for probing beyond the shiny surface of modern womanhood to the places we often dare not go, but should. By turns chilling and erotic, the stories in <i>Fist</i> are unforgettable, and will speak to women who are strong enough to own up to their fears and traverse to the other side of them. <br />Rachel Kramer Bussel, editor, <i>Best Sex Writing 2009</i> (<i>Rachel Kramer Bussel</i> 2009-02-01)<br /><br />Amber Dawn has a beautifully twisted mind; I'm a fan. This book isn't about desire despite fear, or fear that triumphs over desire--<i>Fist of the Spider Woman</i> asks, "What are you afraid of?" and then spins a multi-dimensional, multi-genre web that is sexy, poignantly scary, and politically astute. If Charlotte were all grown up, queer, kinky, and foul-mouthed, <i>Fist</i> would be the stuff of her dreams. <br />Anna Camilleri, author, <i>I am a Red Dress</i> (<i>Anna Camilleri</i> 2009-02-01)<br /><br />One of the best among this collection is Nomy Lamm's "Conspiracy of Fuckers," a story about a phone sex worker.... Just as compelling is Amber Dawn's "Here Lies the Last Lesbian Rental in East Vancouver," which takes place in a house inhabited by a young dyke couple and haunted by a violent lesbian ghost. <br /><i>GLBT Roundtable Newsletter</i> (American Library Association) (<i>GLBT Roundtable Newsletter</i> 2009-04-01)<br /><br />The most engaging stories [in <i>Fist</i>] are those that manipulate the horror genre to construct an elevated understanding of the queer experience. <br /><i>Xtra! West</i> (<i>Xtra! West</i> 2009-04-22)<br /><br />This anthology of horror stories, with literary styles that span gothic, speculative and noir, expresses the fantasies of queer women and provides strong characters in place of the genre's stereotypically scantily dressed victims. <br /><i>Ms. Magazine</i> (<i>Ms. Magazine</i> 2009-04-23)<br /><br />Megan Milks' "Slugs" is a perfect mix of crazy sexual tension, genderfuck and H.P. Lovecraft-inspired freakish horror. Body horror is also a theme in Michelle Tea's "Crabby," but this story is far more entrenched in real life and comical to boot. Kristyn Dunnion's "Homeland" is almost an homage to Hitchcock, as a homicidal lesbian hustler gets the tables turned on her in spectacular fasion by her would-be victim. <br /><i>Philadelphia Gay News</i> (<i>Philadelphia Gay News</i> 2009-07-05)<br /><br /><i>Fist of the Spider Woman</i> applies the tropes of the horror genre---suspense, fear, surprise---to the horrors of real life, and allows its characters the courage and grit to come out on the other side, scarred, but surviving. <br /><i>make/shift</i> Magazine (<i>make/shift</i> 2009-10-07)
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “From now on you’ll do as I say, or you’ll spend the rest of this voyage in
  your cabin.”
  
  Glory’s eyes widened. Drawing herself up, she tilted her chin defiantly. “Why
  are you treating me this way?”
  
  “Because, you little vixen, I’m trying to make you understand. The Black
  Spider is not a passenger ship. These men aren’t used to having a woman on
  board— especially a beautiful woman. You’re putting yourself in danger.”
  
  Nicholas cursed beneath his breath and hauled her against him. “This,” he
  said, his voice cold, “is what I’m trying to make you see.” Brutally, his
  mouth claimed hers. He felt her stiffen in surprise, her lips part in protest,
  and he deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue violently between her teeth.
  Her slender fists beat at his chest, and she fought to pull away, but he only
  held her tighter . . . Mercilessly, he shoved her against the bulkhead,
  pinning her wrists above her head. One hand slid up her thigh to cup her
  bottom. He kissed her fiercely, sa