World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Tristan Taormino

トリスタン・タオルミノ

Tristan Taormino

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1971-05-09 （Syosset, New York, United States）
Nationality
American
Languages
English

Career

Occupations
author, columnist, sex educator, speaker, radio host, pornographic film director, pornographic actress
Active Years
1993-

Education

Wesleyan University
American Studies
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Period: 1989–1993
Year of Graduation: 1993
Country: United States
Graduated Phi Beta Kappa

Awards

Firecracker Alternative Book Award
1998
Work: The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women
Category: Sex
Organization: Firecracker (award)
Result: Won
Lambda Literary Award
2003
Work: Best Lesbian Erotica 2003
Category: Lesbian Erotica
Organization: Lambda Literary Foundation
Result: Won
Lambda Literary Award
2004
Work: Best Lesbian Erotica 2004
Category: Lesbian Erotica
Organization: Lambda Literary Foundation
Result: Won
Feminist Porn Award
2006
Work: House of Ass
Organization: Feminist Porn Awards
Result: Won
AVN Award
2007
Work: Chemistry
Category: Best Gonzo Release
Organization: Adult Video News
Result: Won
AVN Award
2009
Work: Tristan Taormino's Expert Guide to Oral Sex 2: Fellatio
Category: Best Educational Release
Organization: Adult Video News
Result: Won
Feminist Porn Award (Trailblazer Award)
2010
Work: —
Category: The Trailblazer Award
Organization: Feminist Porn Awards
Result: Won
Lambda Literary Award
2011
Work: Sometimes She Lets Me: Best Butch/Femme Erotica
Category: Lesbian Erotica
Organization: Lambda Literary Foundation
Result: Won
Lambda Literary Award
2012
Work: Take Me There: Trans and Genderqueer Erotica
Category: Transgender Fiction
Organization: Lambda Literary Foundation
Result: Won

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women

1997 Sex education

A practical guide for women covering safety, technique, and pleasure related to anal sex. First published by Cleis Press and recognized for its feminist, practical approach.

sex educationpleasure and safetyfeminism

Pucker Up: A Hands-on Guide to Ecstatic Sex

2001 Sex guide

A practical handbook offering advice on sexual techniques and pleasure. Later reissued in paperback under a different title.

practical advicerelationships and communication

True Lust: Adventures in Sex, Porn and Perversion

2002 Essays / Memoir

A collection of essays reflecting on sex, pornography, and desire through personal experience and observation.

personal memoirpornography critiquefeminism

Opening Up: Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships

2008 Relationships / Guide

A widely recommended introductory guide to polyamory and non-monogamy, offering practical advice on designing and sustaining relationships.

polyamoryconsent and communicationrelationship design

A Part of the Heart that Can't Be Eaten

2023 Memoir

A recent memoir that recounts personal experiences, family history, and sexual identity.

memoirfamily historyidentity

Bibliography

  • The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women (1997/2006)
  • Pucker Up: A Hands-on Guide to Ecstatic Sex (2001)
  • True Lust: Adventures in Sex, Porn and Perversion (2002)
  • Opening Up: Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships (2008)
  • The Anal Sex Position Guide: The Best Positions for Easy, Exciting, Mind-Blowing Pleasure (2009)
  • The Big Book of Sex Toys (2010)
  • Secrets of Great G-Spot Orgasms and Female Ejaculation (2011)
  • 50 Shades of Kink: An Introduction to BDSM (2012)
  • A Part of the Heart that Can't Be Eaten (2023)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
direct, practical voicesex-positive, educational approachfeminist-informed analysis
Recurring Motifs
sex educationconsent and communicationnon-monogamy (polyamory)critique and practice of pornography

Legacy

Tristan Taormino is known as a sex educator, author, and feminist pornographer whose books and films on polyamory and sex-positive feminism have influenced both popular and academic discussions. Her practical sex-education guides are widely referenced.

Archives

  • Sophia Smith Collection (zines collection)

In Popular Culture

  • Appearances on television and talk shows (Ricki Lake, The Howard Stern Show, etc.)

Quotes

  • I support gay marriage being legalized in every state. I do however think it’s unfortunate that in some cases gay marriage opponents have used the issue against polyamory.
    Source: Interview (date unspecified) (2008)

Trivia

  • She is the niece of author Thomas Pynchon.
  • Has long worked at the intersection of sex education and feminist pornography.
  • Was a columnist for The Village Voice from 1999 to 2008 and was laid off in 2008.