$pread: The Best of the Magazine that Illuminated the Sex Industry and Started a Media Revolution

by Rachel Aimee (Editor), Eliyanna Kaiser (Editor), Audacia Ray (Editor)

“A fascinating collection from a group of courageous women who created the first publication to explore sex work in a compelling and intelligent way.” —Candida Royalle $pread , an Utne Award–winning magazine by and for sex workers, was independently published from 2005 to 2011. This collection features enduring essays about sex work around the world, first-person stories that range from deeply traumatic to totally hilarious, analysis of media and culture, and fantastic illustrations and photos produced just for the magazine. The book also features the previously untold story of $pread and how it has built a wider audience in its posthumous years. What started as a community tool and trade magazine for the sex industry quickly emerged as the essential guide for people curious about sex work, for independent magazine enthusiasts, and for labor and civil rights activists.

Genres: Sex Work, Nonfiction, Feminism, Sexuality, Anthologies, Essays, Queer

368 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2015

Reviews

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, THAT was certainly interesting! The essays in this book certainly introduced some perspectives that I had not previously considered. It was far more political than I anticipated. The parts written by the editors read like a satricical send up of pc language policing... but they are serious. They tie themselves in knots trying to stand for all sex workers everywhere and leave no one out. But the essays by contibutors were really interesting and well written. If you chose to read this book, there will be something you will disagree with and probably be offended by. But you will not be at all bored.

[Annaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I have the pleasure to read what sex workers have to say about themselves, their profession, this absolute shitshow of a society, I leave the experience a better person. $pread is no different. I was barely in my double digits when the magazine ended, so it also serves as an amazing window into the sociopolitical climate of the 2000s. Cannot recommend this book enough!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

i had heard about this magazine when it was being publish but never got to read it in print so it was so great to get to read many of the articles and the breadth of topics, styles and opinions.

[Lance Grabmiller · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amazing and wide ranging collection of the best of $PREAD. An amazing resource for so many people that is sadly long gone and had way too short a lifespan.

[Tiyahna Ridley-Padmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

$pread: The Best of the Magazine that Illuminated the Sex Industry and Started a Media Revolution includes a collection of well-written, raw and compelling essays by a range of sex workers representing different backgrounds and experiences.

This anthology was intelligent, heart-breaking, inspiring and hilarious. Some essays spoke of sex workers who were empowered by the work that they do while others focused on the dangers they were exposed to as a result of a disabling socio-political environment. The book is a work of activism and the editors do a fantastic job at framing the issues being presented using a respectful, equitable and inclusive lens. I really enjoyed this book and have since searched for similar work to no avail. $pread fostered a platform for invaluable but chronically underrepresented voices and I am here for it.

[Lauren Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection that's really accessible and engaging. The articles are incredibly diverse in tone and subject, ranging from a hilarious anecdotes, like a story about being paid to eat sushi, to devastating essays and confessions about violence and hatred toward sex workers. $pread will really challenge you as a reader and open you up to new perspectives and issues. Read it!

[Susan Csoke · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPREAD BY Susie Bright provides the reader with just about everything and anything pertaining to the sex industry. Informative with honest, truthful stories that are very real. A very good reading experience.

[Emily Warfield]

I can't rate books by people I know!