A Venus Book Club Exclusive:
Q&A with Galen, author of The Sharp Edge of Love


VBC: What made you decide to write The Sharp Edge of Love?

G: I had two main reasons. First, I spent too much of my life in fear of having my sexuality discovered! I didn't have the courage to be honest about my BDSM desires. I don't believe that was healthy. I believe most people have a hidden aspect to their sexuality. I want to inspire people to risk going beyond shame, guilt and judgement, to be authentic and honest about their sexuality, and every aspect of themselves. My goal for the book is that it serve as a gateway.

I'm on a mission to raise sexuality to its rightful place within the human persona, alongside intellect, emotion, creativity and spirit.

The second is that the stories of the women themselves as so compelling, courageous, perverted, poetic and noble that, I felt the reader would be both fascinated and titillated at how kinky women can be.

VBC: How long have you been an active dominant for?

G: Two very active years! The book and the Tetruss (my portable, lightweight, freestanding suspension system) have opened a lot of doors, and I've been invited to be involved in a few dozen scene events from coast to coast. private and public play parties, and a variety of private training sessions.

VBC: Have you found your submissive soulmate yet?

G: The search remains active!

VBC: Do you think cybersex can be as stimulating as the real thing?

G: For me it was very arousing initially. I have a very potent imagination. But it's not very fulfilling ultimately. My realm is the flesh.

But mentally, I found a depth and a voice that were very satisfying. I got much closer to my soul and the souls of the submissives, in a quicker span of time, than I would have gotten to in real time. I love the written word, so maybe that's my bias. I feel it is easier for both partners to reveal the depth of themselves.

VBC: How long did it take you to write The Sharp Edge of Love?

G: The writing went on over a year. It's been another year of editing in spurts. Plus I layed out the book, designed the jacket, publicized it, chased reviews, researched and carried out the initial book production...it's been a lot of work, in other words.

VBC: Do you have a favorite scene in the book?

G: Of the short erotica, I'd pick "Cocoon" - a confinement bondage scenario, but as a writer, I really enjoyed the exploration and composition of the more complex character and the initiation story-line of sister Christina.

All four of the true episodes, and the women I shared the experiences with were unique and poignant, but in very different ways:

sharah - the most twisted suspense and taboo eros; arlana - lyrical, romantic, elegant perversion of the highest order; lana - a tropical storm of lust that blew out as fast as it blew in; kate - the sweetest. most gernerous, most perverted, little girl I ever met. The way we met was an incredible irony.

VBC: Do you still have contact with any of the women described in The Sharp Edge of Love?

G: I talk with arlana every few months. I still see kate on a regular basis.

VBC: Why do you think galensrealm.com is a good place for submissive women to log on to?

G: I am still evolving the content on my site. I'd welcome comments from visitors on what they'd like to have more of. A good overall site for women is the femmerotic portal.

VBC: Where is the most exotic place you've ever played with a partner?

G: This wasn't so exotic but it led to a very embarrassing situation for the sub involved. She was an executive for a mid sized corporation. On a Friday evening, after hours, we went to her office. I had her suspended on the Tetruss. Suddenly there's a knock on her locked office door. Her assistant had come in to the office to pick up a file. I quickly removed her ball gag. She got away with some lame, brush off. The tension and excitement picked up a bit, as we continued, after we heard the assistant leave.

VBC: What is your favorite part of a woman's body?

G: I love breast torment. I can view the subs, lovely facial reactions, talk to her, my face close...but the excitement is really going on in the mind to mind connection, during any form of play. That's ultimately the level that power exchange takes place for me.

VBC: Do you have any favorite erotic books?

G: There are too many incredible authors to name. But one, more mainstream exploration of female submission and fantasy, that I really enjoyed is the Magus, by John Fowles.

Fowles is first and foremost a great literary talent, with a very sharp insight into the feminine psyche, from a man's point of view.

VBC: Do you have any tips for submissive women out there?

G: Use a combination of risk and commonsense when seeking out a partner. Hang out on newsgroups, information oriented sites, top personals sites like Alt.com and Adultfriendfinder.com. The newsgroups a re good places to get your feet wet, feel supported, have questions answered. Learn all you can from all the perspectives that are out there, about safety, different play styles, etc.. Take what works for you. Don't worry about getting "It" right. There is no right way, except your own, and your partners own together. Avoid BDSM sites and people who are self righteous and judgemental. They are well meaning, mostly, but so are most other fundamentalists of any stripe. Trust that you are beautiful when you express your honest and authentic desires.

VBC: Is there anything else you'd like to say to Venus® readers?

G: Having a kinky sexual nature is quite normal. Express it freely,and know that you are not alone.

Galens Realm Home