Forget what you think you know about sex workers and explore in-depth interviews with "providers." Author James Tugend teams up with a practicing psychologist to take a hard look at the sex trade, dispel myths, reduce prejudice, and explore modern reality.
Many escorts are articulate, resilient, and highly educated. They are entrepreneurial and enjoy their work, only seeing men they like and earning a lot of money, but they warn that prostitution harms other women, especially if they work for madams or pimps. A few overcome early traumas. Becoming independent escorts does wonders for their self-esteem and makes clients treat them with respect.
Common theories on prostitution and feminism are diametrically opposed. Is it a means of self-determination, feminine strength attuned to modern sexual mores, or dominant males engaging in sexual violence and control of women? Both sides are sometimes valid. Clients can be at the mercy of providers.
Tugend dares to offer honest accounts from both sides, revealing a fascinating mélange of need, longing, and sometimes female empowerment in the provider-client relationship dynamic.
About the Author: James Tugend received his bachelor's degree from Pomona College before attending Boston University for graduate studies. He is a prolific author who has published nearly one hundred magazine articles in addition to various screenplays and teleplays. He honed his craft as a producer working with writers and is a member of the Writers' Guild of America, West and a former member of PEN. He taught writing for the Guild's OPEN DOOR PROGRAM for minorities, and East/West Players.
Tugend's accolades include Best Feature Screenplay at the 2012 Los Angeles Comedy Festival, the Gold Special Jury Award for best original dramatic short for 1992's Soul Mates at the Houston International Filmfest, and the Gold Special Jury award for 2001's The Caretaker.
