I Hate My Job: Thots on Labor, Sex Work, and Capitalism

by Adrie Rose (Editor), Zalika U. Ibaorimi (Contributor), Empress Mirage (Contributor)

I Hate My Job features essays from former and current sex worker contributors who explore the intersections of criminalized labor, working in an underground economy, respectability politics, class division, capitalism, and Carol Leigh's coining of the term "sex worker." This book provides a platform for sex workers to share their experiences and insights on the realities of their work, raise awareness about the often-overlooked issues facing sex workers, and challenge the stigma and discrimination they face in society. Most especially, this collection aims to provide a safe place for sex workers with ambivalent, or even negative, feelings about their work and clients to express this discontent without fear of the usual pushback i.e., “Why don’t you get a real job?”

I Hate My Job aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about sex work, to explore the broad variety and depth of experiences across the sex industry, lending itself to the rallying cry “sex work is work,” and to provide a platform for sex workers to share their insights, often overlooked by academic institutions and traditional publishing in favor of more salacious and sensationalized narratives. By sharing their stories, the authors hope to create a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of the realities of sex work, and to spark broader conversations.

Featuring a foreword by Kathi Weeks and an afterword by Marla Cruz, this book consists of essays and dialogue from an intimate and diverse group of sex workers, including those who work or have worked in legal and criminalized sectors of the sex industry, providing a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of sex work, and the ways in which it intersects with broader social and economic issues.

Genres: Nonfiction

315 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2026

Reviews

[Mary Dealing]

If you want a book thats both thoughtful and thought-provoking, check this out. I think everyone enjoys complaining about their job with their peers, why wouldn't sex workers? In this anthology, 8 contributors discuss aspects of their work relating to feminism, class, economics, and other issues. It's refreshing that they are able to be honest about the challenges they face as well as the benefits of their work, without having to be defensive or try to justify their choices. After reading this, you may find you've changed your views on sex work; you may even think differently about your own job and the role you play in this capitalist society we all live in.