The Julia Eccleshare comment:

Top teenage authors tell a range of touching and thought provoking stories about both the real and the much-fantasised about moment of first sexual experiences. Funny, sad, crude, lyrical, Anne Fine, Patrick Ness, Bali Rai, Melvin Burgess, Jenny Valentine and Keith Gray himself are among the authors each of whose stories tell some of the picture of this all important moment.

From Charlie Sheppard, the Editor at Andersen Press:

"We felt the time was right for books to create a thinking space for teens. Somewhere they could turn to figure out what virginity means to them with the help of writers they respect and trust. And we felt the best medium for this was the short story—so often overlooked by publishers but so loved by teenagers who have other distractions in their lives."

Finally, Andersen has created a blog to encourage people to write about their own experiences or just funny stories at http://losingitstories.com/.

Synopsis

Melvin Burgess, Keith Gray, Patrick Ness, Sophie McKenzie, Bali Rai, Jenny Valentine and Mary Hooper. Some of today's leading writers for teens are gathered here in a wonderful collection of original stories: some funny, some moving, some haunting but all revolving around the same subject - having sex for the first time! You never forget your first time and you'll never forget this book!

About the Author

Keith Gray was born and brought up in Grimsby and knew from an early age that he wanted to be a writer. When he received 0% for his accountancy exams he decided to pursue his dream. He has since gone on to win the Angus Book Award and the silver medal in the Smarties Prize. He has twice been shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize and was shortlisted for the Booktrust Teen Prize and the Scottish Arts Council Book Award. Rave reviews about his writing have appeared in every broadsheet. Keith was a judge for the Blue Peter Book Award, the Guardian Fiction Prize and the Bookstrust Teen Prize and reviews regularly for the Guardian. Keith is now a full-time writer living in Edinburgh. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation