Erotica in Print
by marq In The Great Cock Hunt, Alex leaves his blog behind and goes for a book-length all-sex college reunion plus ... PORN! Dirty Gay Erotica exploits the advantage of short fiction: there's never a lot of narrative to wade through to get to the next "good part." It's all good part. 
By Alex
Kensington Books, $15.00, pap.
No-last-name-Alex, the author of The Great Cock Hunt, describes himself like this: "I'm a late twenty-something, horny, gay guy living in NYC. I love men, muscles, sex, porn, and chocolate. I've got a particular thing for "straight" guys and on occasion I like to get a little kinky and dirty. And sometimes, when I'm not paying attention, a little romance sneaks in there too." That description is the first bit of text that appears on Alex's blog, which is thegreatcockhunt.com.
Encouraged by fans and friends, Alex has branched out from blogging and written a book. The Great Cock Hunt falls somewhere between fiction and memoir. As Alex tells it, he had to "mess it all up" enough to protect certain people's identities, not the least of all his own.
The events of the book take place at a college reunion. Alex tells his readers it's their second big reunion since graduation, and that he has just turned 30. While I've been to a few reunions in my life, they all pale compared to Alex's, where nonstop sex seems to be the objective of everyone in attendance.
One thing that eventually grates on the nerves is the linguistic style. For a thirtysomething, college-educated guy, Alex is too fond of Valley girl-isms: a little of "I mean" and "like" and "I guess" and "kind of" go a long way.
But sex, after all, is what The Great Cock Hunt is all about. It's grand hardcore porn served up with humor and a bit of suspense, incorporating most of the things Alex loves: a little dirt, a little kink, a little romance, a few straight guys, muscles, and lots of up-close-and-personal detail. If they ever make it into a movie, it's more likely to be produced by Raging Stallion than by Dreamworks.
Fans of Alex's website can indulge themselves in a serious wallow in The Great Cock Hunt. New readers who enjoy one-handed fiction should get plenty of entertainment between these covers, too. Alex does a terrific job of putting his experiences unapologetically and unabashedly on the page. It's a gay pride manifesto beyond compare — and condoms are employed.
 PORN! Dirty Gay Erotica
Edited by Ian Philips and Greg Wharton
Southern Tier Editions, $17.95, pap.
The 20 selections that comprise PORN! will make you twitch and itch. It might be between the ears and it might be between the legs; with luck, it will be all over.
It's an eclectic selection that's surprisingly literate, as well as sweaty, and it hits all the right notes, from soldiers to Lycra-wearing bicycle riders to androgynous rent boys. This emporium of erotica has a toy aisle and a leather aisle, a section for jocks (and their straps) and a section for Daddies. Lookin' for love or lookin' for something more anonymous, you'll find it. For cocktail hour you can take your pick of fluids: lube, piss, sweat, saliva and cum and even a tsunami that can gave and take away.
PORN! veers into more esoteric, if not exotic, territory with a story about tickling. There's feet, feces and food; artists and models; and the incandescent and essential Patrick Califia, with a story whose gritty detail is as memorable as its poignancy.
The contributors' roster is packed with names that readers will recognize, including Justin Chin, Jeff Mann, Trebor Healey, Bob Vickery and 15 more.
One of the attractions of short fiction is that there's never a lot of narrative or plot development to wade through to get to the next "good part." It's all good part, and if there's a particular theme or trope you don't like, you won't lose a lot of time coming to that realization and moving on to the next story.
Editors Ian Philips and Greg Wharton, the duo and real-life couple behind Suspect Thoughts Press, have come up with an anthology that will add to their renown as it adds to your carnal delight.
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