I’ve known about my many alter egos for a long time, but it wasn’t until the release of this book that we’ve started getting entangled.
If you search for my name online, four very different people show up: an ex-policewoman turned prolific erotica writer, a singer who once appeared with Shaggy in the most deliciously early aughts music video I’ve ever seen (her hair…), an actor who’s been in a bunch of TV shows and DC Comics roles, and me. It’s decent company, and it’s always been kind of nice to be mostly un-Googleable, buried by these other characters.
This is all very cute until you start trying to sell your own book. Earlier this week, a friend sent me a screenshot of the “about the author” section of How Sex Changed the Internet’s Amazon listing. Samantha Cole the erotica writers has her SEO game so locked down—every one of her social handles and her website are “samanthacoleauthor,” absolute savage and we salute it—that Amazon’s algorithm for matching books to authors put her down as having written mine, alongside her own Topping the Alpha and Torn in Half: A Novella. (I enjoyed this a lot but my publisher was less amused.) So this is what appeared on my listing:
It’s funny weird to have a book that deals with issues of algorithmic fuck-ups, especially when it comes to e-commerce and sex, run into this problem. And I felt a little bad that the other Samantha Cole had a nonfiction history book in her lineup by mistake; I’m sure that’s not great for her brand either, but she seems like she’d laugh.
Anyway, that’s all fixed now, after a tangle with Amazon support and my poor publisher’s help, and now the book tour is kicking off in less than a month. I’m already having stress dreams about it :) A couple nights ago I dreamed I was locked out of Powerhouse, where the launch day event is happening, and it went on without me. I won’t be dissecting that one any further.
I’m a little nervous, obviously, but mostly incredibly excited. On top of meeting you and getting to run my mouth on small stages—something I sincerely really do enjoy—I’m also hoping to make it an excuse to encourage donations to local harm reduction, sex work advocacy, and/or mutual aid orgs at some of these events. It’s a staggering honor to be asked to visit these places and share this project, and probably won’t stop feeling surreal for a while.
Here’s the lineup:
Brooklyn, NY: Powerhouse Bookstore
Tuesday, November 15 @ 7 p.m.
I’ll be joined by the impossibly smart and cool Liara Roux, whose recent release of their memoir Whore of New York was a literary force. Liara and I have a habit of showing up together on panels and it’s always the most fun. The most recent time was for Vice and I’m pretty sure an AP got an earful of gossip from our lav mics before the show, oops. I’m told there will be wine and refreshments at this one (I’m told that because I pleaded for it).
Miami, FL: Miami Book Fair
Saturday, November 19
I had no idea Miami is home to a huge, annual book fair until now. I’ll be doing an hour chat with a moderator (who is still TBD) on Saturday, and hopefully it’s getting live-streamed. I’ve never been to Miami, and the impression I hold in my mind is that it’s a 90’s Newports commercial, now with more crypto. If that’s incorrect please do not let me know.
Los Angeles, CA: Book Soup
Monday, December 5 @ 7 p.m.
I’ll be joined by the effervescent Maitland Ward and couldn’t be more stoked. Maitland’s just-released memoir Rated X: How Porn Liberated Me from Hollywood is like getting the hottest tea from your most interesting friend, especially if you were obsessed with Boy Meets World like I was.
Portland, OR: Powell’s Bookstore
Tuesday, December 6 @ 7 p.m.
To be in this iconic space, talking with the legend and inspiration Andi Zeisler? The cofounder of Bitch Media and author of We Were Feminists Once??? A dream. If they put me on the marquee I might die right there on the sidewalk.
San Francisco, CA: Shack-15 with Book Passage
Wednesday, December 7 @ 7 p.m.
This event space looks like that “the world if…” meme. I could not be more honored to spend this final stop on the West coast with the award-winning pornographer and activist Jiz Lee. Their collection of essays Coming Out Like A Porn Star is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what it’s like to work in, and live with the stigma of, the adult industry.
There will be a couple other unsanctioned parties/events coming up in the next few months that aren’t yet on this list, so watch for those!
Pre-order How Sex Changed the Internet and the Internet Changed Sex here.
*If the other Samantha-Cole-Author is reading this, please hit me up if you’re in Miami at the same time, we’re going for umbrella drinks.