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Superfreaks

Kink, Pleasure, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Author Arielle Greenberg
Paperback
$19.95 US
Beacon Press
0"W x 0"H x 0"D   | 13 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Jul 16, 2024 | 280 Pages | 978-0-8070-2026-5
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A deliciously subversive and endlessly informative celebration of “kinky f*ckery,” as told by a lifelong student of kink and fetishism

Neither a how-to guide to getting it on nor a collection of sensational erotica, Superfreaks is instead an empathetic journey into the widely misunderstood world of kink. Lifelong practitioner and student of “kinky f*ckery” Arielle Greenberg draws on her study and teaching of BDSM and fetishism to

  • introduce kink’s history and trailblazing kinksters like Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, Mollena Williams-Haas, and Tom of Finland
  • explain the science behind sexual fetishes
  • delve into the psychology behind power exchange
  • parse the politics of sexual deviance

Superfreaks is an accessible, interactive. and raunchy experience that invites the reader to engage their kinky curiosity. Written with folks of all genders and sexual orientations in mind, the book features resources like

  • quizzes readers can take with their partners to help assess sexual compatibility
  • sidebars with lists of kinky representation in literature, film, music, and more
  • an A-to-Z glossary of kinky gear, from collars and floggers to zentai suits and beyond

Superfreaks challenges and dismantles longstanding myths about kink perpetuated by pop culture phenomena like Fifty Shades of Grey and 365 Days. In doing so, Greenberg names the systemic marginalization kinky people experience and argues that we must build a society that accepts and celebrates sexual diversity of all kinds. The book also affirms the importance of consent and not “yucking someone’s yum”—key concepts inherent to the practice of kink that are essential building blocks for safer, more inclusive sex.
“[A] funny, provocative primer on kink and fetish. Superfreaks introduces readers to common (and less common!) kinky practices in nonjudgmental and easily approachable language, advocating for an open, fun, and consensual sexual landscape.”
—Booklist

“Knowledgeable, nonjudgmental, and playful, Superfreaks is your guide to the universes that lie beyond conventional sex. Seldom will you find a volume more responsible in its approach that is still great fun to read.”
—Janet W. Hardy, coauthor of The Ethical Slut

“As cerebral as it is titillating, Greenberg's Superfreaks leaves no stone unturned in this deep dive into the history, language, politics, iconography, and rituals of kink and fetish.”
—Tristan Taormino, editor of The Ultimate Guide to Kink

“Infused with good humor, extensive research, and great taste in music, this is an experienced pervert’s refreshing guide to enjoying perverted adventures. Poet and professor Greenberg has created an approachable, friendly guide to kink culture in contemporary life. I predict it will help a lot of people feel less alone in this world.”
—Tina Horn, host and producer of Why Are People Into That?! podcast
Arielle Greenberg speaks about kink and ethical nonmonogamy at universities and on such podcasts as Dear Sugar, Why Are People into That?!, and Sex Out Loud. She is the author of several books of poetry and creative nonfiction. A former tenured professor in English at Columbia College Chicago, she has spent over 20 years as a scholar and academic, writing about cultural studies and literature and teaching undergraduate and graduate students, as well as in the community. She identifies as a lifelong sexual fetishist. Keep up with Arielle on Instagram (@arielle_greenberg) and on her website, ariellegreenberg.net.
Arielle Greenberg View titles by Arielle Greenberg
INTRODUCTION
She’s a Very Kinky Girl: Why I Wrote This Book

CHAPTER 1
Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby: The Ins and Outs of Erotic Desire

CHAPTER 2
Take a Walk on the Wild Side: A Primer on Kink, BDSM, and Fetishes

CHAPTER 3
Heaven Help Me for the Way I Am: Taboos as the Heart of Kink

CHAPTER 4
Chains and Whips Excite Me: On Sadomasochism

CHAPTER 5
Let’s Play Master and Servant: On Dominance and Submission

CHAPTER 6
She’s Got Legs: On Fetishes

CHAPTER 7
I Will Be Your Father Figure: On Role Play

CHAPTER 8
Caught Up in You: On the Kinks of Attention and Neglect

CHAPTER 9
Super Freaky: Kink History and Icons

CHAPTER 10
Thank U 4 a Funky Time: Forging Your Path and Community

APPENDIX
We’re Going Down to Alphabet Street: An A-to-Z of Kinky Stuff

Acknowledgments
Works Cited
Index

About

A deliciously subversive and endlessly informative celebration of “kinky f*ckery,” as told by a lifelong student of kink and fetishism

Neither a how-to guide to getting it on nor a collection of sensational erotica, Superfreaks is instead an empathetic journey into the widely misunderstood world of kink. Lifelong practitioner and student of “kinky f*ckery” Arielle Greenberg draws on her study and teaching of BDSM and fetishism to

  • introduce kink’s history and trailblazing kinksters like Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, Mollena Williams-Haas, and Tom of Finland
  • explain the science behind sexual fetishes
  • delve into the psychology behind power exchange
  • parse the politics of sexual deviance

Superfreaks is an accessible, interactive. and raunchy experience that invites the reader to engage their kinky curiosity. Written with folks of all genders and sexual orientations in mind, the book features resources like

  • quizzes readers can take with their partners to help assess sexual compatibility
  • sidebars with lists of kinky representation in literature, film, music, and more
  • an A-to-Z glossary of kinky gear, from collars and floggers to zentai suits and beyond

Superfreaks challenges and dismantles longstanding myths about kink perpetuated by pop culture phenomena like Fifty Shades of Grey and 365 Days. In doing so, Greenberg names the systemic marginalization kinky people experience and argues that we must build a society that accepts and celebrates sexual diversity of all kinds. The book also affirms the importance of consent and not “yucking someone’s yum”—key concepts inherent to the practice of kink that are essential building blocks for safer, more inclusive sex.

Praise

“[A] funny, provocative primer on kink and fetish. Superfreaks introduces readers to common (and less common!) kinky practices in nonjudgmental and easily approachable language, advocating for an open, fun, and consensual sexual landscape.”
—Booklist

“Knowledgeable, nonjudgmental, and playful, Superfreaks is your guide to the universes that lie beyond conventional sex. Seldom will you find a volume more responsible in its approach that is still great fun to read.”
—Janet W. Hardy, coauthor of The Ethical Slut

“As cerebral as it is titillating, Greenberg's Superfreaks leaves no stone unturned in this deep dive into the history, language, politics, iconography, and rituals of kink and fetish.”
—Tristan Taormino, editor of The Ultimate Guide to Kink

“Infused with good humor, extensive research, and great taste in music, this is an experienced pervert’s refreshing guide to enjoying perverted adventures. Poet and professor Greenberg has created an approachable, friendly guide to kink culture in contemporary life. I predict it will help a lot of people feel less alone in this world.”
—Tina Horn, host and producer of Why Are People Into That?! podcast

Author

Arielle Greenberg speaks about kink and ethical nonmonogamy at universities and on such podcasts as Dear Sugar, Why Are People into That?!, and Sex Out Loud. She is the author of several books of poetry and creative nonfiction. A former tenured professor in English at Columbia College Chicago, she has spent over 20 years as a scholar and academic, writing about cultural studies and literature and teaching undergraduate and graduate students, as well as in the community. She identifies as a lifelong sexual fetishist. Keep up with Arielle on Instagram (@arielle_greenberg) and on her website, ariellegreenberg.net.
Arielle Greenberg View titles by Arielle Greenberg

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
She’s a Very Kinky Girl: Why I Wrote This Book

CHAPTER 1
Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby: The Ins and Outs of Erotic Desire

CHAPTER 2
Take a Walk on the Wild Side: A Primer on Kink, BDSM, and Fetishes

CHAPTER 3
Heaven Help Me for the Way I Am: Taboos as the Heart of Kink

CHAPTER 4
Chains and Whips Excite Me: On Sadomasochism

CHAPTER 5
Let’s Play Master and Servant: On Dominance and Submission

CHAPTER 6
She’s Got Legs: On Fetishes

CHAPTER 7
I Will Be Your Father Figure: On Role Play

CHAPTER 8
Caught Up in You: On the Kinks of Attention and Neglect

CHAPTER 9
Super Freaky: Kink History and Icons

CHAPTER 10
Thank U 4 a Funky Time: Forging Your Path and Community

APPENDIX
We’re Going Down to Alphabet Street: An A-to-Z of Kinky Stuff

Acknowledgments
Works Cited
Index

Additional formats

  • Superfreaks
    Superfreaks
    Kink, Pleasure, and the Pursuit of Happiness
    Arielle Greenberg
    978-0-8070-2021-0
    $28.95 US
    Hardcover
    Beacon Press
    Aug 01, 2023
  • Superfreaks
    Superfreaks
    Kink, Pleasure, and the Pursuit of Happiness
    Arielle Greenberg
    978-0-8070-2021-0
    $28.95 US
    Hardcover
    Beacon Press
    Aug 01, 2023
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