Instead Indices

by Peter Sotos

348 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2026

About the author

Peter Sotos (born April 17, 1960) is a Chicago-born writer who has contributed an unprecedented examination of the peculiar motivations of sadistic sexual criminals. His works are often cited as conveying an uncanny understanding of myriad aspects of pornography. Most of his writings have focused on sexually violent pornography, particularly of that involving children. His writings are also considered by many to be social criticism often commenting on the hypocritical way media handles these issues.

In 1984, while attending The Art Institute of Chicago, Sotos began producing a self-published newsletter or "fanzine" named Pure, notable as the first zine dedicated to serial killer lore. Much of the text and pictures in Pure were photocopied images from major newspapers and other print media. Sotos also used a photocopy from a magazine of child pornography as the cover of issue#2 of Pure. In 1986 this cover led to his arrest and charges of obscenity and possession of child pornography. The charges of obscenity were dropped, but Sotos eventually pled guilty to the possession charge and received a suspended sentence. Sotos was the first person in the United States ever to be charged for owning child pornography.

Sotos' writings explore sadistic and pedophilic sexual impulses in their many, often hidden, guises. Often using first person narratives, his prose takes on the point of view of the sexual predator. Despite his early legal troubles, and the seemingly fatal stigma of falsely being labeled a pedophile, Sotos continues to garner support for his ideas and literary output.

He was until 2003 a seminal member of the industrial noise band Whitehouse.

Reviews

[D Lyons]

One of his best works, addressing the meaning of transgression in the age of Vinegar Syndrome archival porno blu rays, and in general the theme of recidivism and the aftermath of violence/the aftermath of Sotos’s own infamous arrest. Ultimately taking form of a Janusian dual personae as Sotos juxtaposes his own writing with that of Marc Klaas. Awesome stuff all around. I liked it when he started rattling off his favorite movies.

[Jared Chang]

*future voice*

Mask on (Off), fuck it, mask off (Mask)
Mask on (Off), fuck it, mask off (Mask)

[allie]

I cannot compare Peter Sotos to anything else, definitely interesting.