Picador pre-empts 'fierce' memoir from anonymous sex worker

Picador has pre-empted How Was It For You?, a "fierce" memoir by anonymous sex worker "Eve". 

Editorial director Andrea Henry acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Silé Edwards at Andrew Nurnberg. The memoir will be published in June 2024. 

In How Was It For You? Eve reveals her life as a mother, partner, sex worker, hostess in a strip club and dominatrix. The publisher outlined the thinking behind the book: "Responding to the relentless attacks on sex work by MPs and the police, as well as trying to make sense of the pitiful opportunities for progression in minimum wage jobs, Eve takes an informed look at the parts of the system which, perhaps more than ever, make it impossible for people with fewer opportunities to thrive. We sit by her side in front of the computer and walk with her while she visits rich men at their Caribbean villas. We’re with her as she discovers she’s pregnant and decides to give her body another job: growing and giving birth to a baby. We perch in the public gallery as she is dragged in and out of courtrooms by the law. We’re alongside her in a cell as she contemplates the true meaning of freedom." 

Henry said: "Eve’s is a voice we’re really excited to hear from at Picador. That she has come forward to share her thoughts on a societal system which is rigged against those who haven’t had all of life’s opportunities—at a time when the gap between those who have and who don’t is wider than ever—feels really important. Eve’s take on sex work is neither ’happy hooker’ or ’mis mem’. Instead, it’s a very honest and reflective look at sex work. It can be shocking. It’s informative and also gives us some brilliantly dark humour along the way. We’re delighted to welcome Eve to Picador."

Eve added: "I still can’t believe I have a book deal with Picador. Beyond thrilled and excited that I am being given the chance to share my story. Very rarely do sex workers get the chance to go mainstream in our own words. Hopefully,this book will go some way to dispel the myths surrounding my profession and we will start being seen as human beings."