Influx signs Miren's 'gripping' sex work novel The Service

Influx Press has signed The Service, a novel about sex work from Frankie Miren, billed as an “engaging and clear-eyed tackling of a controversial subject, wrapped up in a gripping narrative”.

Acquiring editor Gary Budden picked up UK rights from Kate Barker Literary Agency for publication in June 2021.

The synopsis explains: “The Service is a powerful and challenging novel about women’s bodies, sex and relationships, mental health, entitlement, authenticity, privilege and power—as shocking as any dystopia, but touching and deeply humane.”

Miren is a writer, journalist and sex-worker activist who has written for the Guardian, Independent, VICE, Buzzfeed and New Socialist. The Service is informed by 25 years dropping in and out of sex work, in various conditions and on several continents. The author is also part of the English Collective of Prostitutes and the Sex Workers Advocacy and Resistance Movement, and is involved in the fight for decriminalisation.

Budden said: “The Service is a welcome addition to the punchy, issue-driven narratives we’re committed to publishing at Influx Press. We’re always looking for fiction that explores difficult and controversial subject matter—The Service does so with great skill, as part of a gripping, page-turning story.”

Miren added: “I’m over the moon that Influx will be publishing The Service. It’s an honour to be on such an impressive list for 2021. Big thanks to my very patient agent, Kate Barker, and to Influx editors Gary Budden and Sanya Semakula. The Service has taken me years to write and, although it’s not a memoir, it’s deeply personal; the result of 26 years (God help me) working on and off in the sex industry.”