Interview With An Author: Zane's Jessica Holter Serves Up Provocative Tale of 'Trysexuality' With 'Punany Experience'

Jessica Holter has never been known to mince words. For over a decade, she has transfixed audiences with her poetry that explores sensuality and sexuality.

In 2007, she hit a milestone when Zane, the critically acclaimed author and publisher of erotica, released 'Verbal Penetration,' which propelled Holter into the spotlight.

Now comes 'The Punany Experience: The War Between Tops and Bottoms, Not Your Average Down Low Story' by Holter, which is sure to raise eyebrows.

It is the story of Stormy Talbert, a bisexual, Korea Smith, an androgynous businesswoman and Hartford, a married man. And it takes you down mental alleyways and passages you never imagined.

Black Voices caught up to Holter. Below are excerpts from the conversation.

BV on Books: How did you come up with the title?
Jessica Holter: The first part of the title is what I call the theatrical episodes fans have when they attend a show by The Punany Poets [which she created in 1995 after the untimely death of gangsta rapper Eazy-E]. "The War Between Tops and Bottoms" is the title of a poem published by Zane in 'Verbal Penetration.' The novel is based on that poem, which details a night of taboo love making between two lesbians and a married man. The last part of the title "Not the Average Down Low Story" intends to let readers know that this book is not about a gay man, but a straight one, who happens to be curious about anal sex -- though not with a man.

BV: What was the genesis of "The Punany Experience?''
JH: I started with a basic plot about Stormy, Korea and Hartford, and suddenly the characters began to write their own stories. They gave themselves childhoods and families and very strong opinions. As in my poetry, I include many elements of the human experience: spiritual confusion, loss, love, career fulfillment and sexual curiosity. But the general theme is about experimentation and pushing one's own limits.

BV: How did you develop the characters?
JH: Let's just say it is a story I am very familiar with. It has been on my mind for a long time, mostly because I wanted to talk to women about the secret nature of the down low [lifestyle] without putting two men in bed together. Hartford is a lovely man who loves and takes care of his family. He is successful and sexy. He is humble and honest. He also is sexually curious, not because of any twisted desire, but because the strangest thing happened at the doctor's office one day. Stormy is the ultimate passive-aggressive. She is adorable, lovable and quite the manipulator. Korea is the epitome of a woman, unbound by any man, any politics, or any illusions. She is the realist you will hate to love. There are some great [characters] in the background too. I absolutely loved meeting them all and I am excited about presenting them to the world.

BV: Do you think these so-called "trysexual'' relationships are becoming a standard today?
JH: I think as women get more frustrated with secrets and lies, we will begin to open the channels of communication with our mates more. Hopefully, we will be open and not judgmental. The truth is that people love to talk. I have learned that from producing interactive sex education theater shows. People will tell you anything if they feel that you will not judge them.

BV: Do you think it's a stereotype that women and men who are open to these relationships have experienced traumatic childhoods? I ask because it's an element of the story.
JH: Yes. But, I believe a lot of women -- who are lesbian by choice -- have chosen so because they feel more comfortable with women. But in the story, Hartford decides to be with a woman who handles him as a man would, not because of sexual trauma, but because of his own personal sexual desires. The prostate is a very sensitive place that is almost always overlooked by heterosexual women. I truly believe the down low [phenomenon] is a result of that. I mean, we keep a minimum of one million black men incarcerated at any given time in America. Most of them know they have that down low spot back there. This awareness will soon be universal. There are already classes being taught on the topic of prostate stimulation.

BV: What's next for you?
JH: I am editing The 'Punany Psalms,' a series of self-published poetry and short stories by day, and working on my next novel for Zane by night. The novel, 'Grave Mothers,' is a deviation from erotica that is allowing another voice to come through me. The book ponders the question of how responsible we are for the sins of our children.

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