In The Best American Erotica 2002, Jane Smiley illustrates the singular escapism found in the gentlest caress, Maggie Estep relates the surprising sexual happen-ings in a detox clinic, Francesca Lia Block explores the aquatic fantasies haunting a surfer, and Ernie Conrick introduces a tennis star and sex symbol who surren-ders to an unusual coach. In these twenty-five stories you wiU also find cutting-edge work from other luminaries and from the Internet, where the next wave of erotica has matured into some of the most enticing writing around.

Susie Bright's experienced eye and wide-open mind deliver exceptional writing that will satisfy all tastes and preferences--and the merely curious.

Introduction

Talk About Sex: An Orientation

Jamie Callan

Joe

Maggie Estep

In Deep

Simon Sheppard

The Lesson

Debra Boxer

Penny Candy

Andi Mathis

Cowboy

Adelina Anthony

A Clean Comfortable Room

Pam Ward

Mer, from Nymph

Francesca Lia Block

Driving Lesson, from Sarah

 J. T. LeRoy

Orange Phone

 Laurie Sirois

On the Dangers of Simultaneity,

Or, Ungh, Mmmm, Oh-Baby-Yeah,

Aaah, Oooh ... UH-OH!

Robert Devereaux

When to Use

Stacey Richter

Champagne Tastes on a Crystal

Budget

Gary Rosen

Stiletto

Lucy Taylor

Ropeburn

Anne Tourney

From Horse Heaven

Jane Smiley

Backhand

Ernie Conrick

Night Train

Nell Carberry

Ganger (Ball Lightning)

Nalo Hopkinson

Homewrecker

Poppy Z. Brite

Two Years

Paula Bomer

Trolls

Michael Stamp

Reading Lolita on the 9:25

Tsaurah Litzky

From Lofting

Alma Marceau '

The Whole Bloody Story of

My Life from Beginning to End

Shaun Levin

Contributors

Reader's Directory

Credits

Reader Survey