James Tugend

James Tugend has had about 100 magazine articles published. He wrote more than a dozen screenplays and teleplays, many of which were optioned. A few were produced and he has won awards for writing, producing, and directing. He wrote, produced and directed “SOUL MATES” which won numerous awards, and was distributed by Coe Films on television in the United States playing on Showtime approximately 80 times, and in foreign countries, sometimes dubbed. His screenplay “Hollywood Easy” won the international award for best comedy screenplay by the LAS Comedy Festival in 2012. He wrote and distributed daily on the Internet a political satire titled “BEATING AROUND THE BUSH”, for eighteen months.

Education: James graduated with a B.A. from Pomona College, majoring in Speech and Drama, and English; then attended Boston University's Graduate Directing, Program. He directed plays in Boston and Los Angeles. Taught writing at Writers' Guild open Door program and East/West Players.

James co-produced 18 one hour comedy films for Bob Hope’s Chrysler Theater and N.B.C. He developed numerous screenplays, and won awards for directing, writing and producing short films. James wrote a Computer Byline for the Writers' Guild monthly magazines, for several years. He also helped design and wrote documentation for software, such as Final Draft and IBM-VHA as a senior technical writer. James wrote feature screenplays and treatments for television, many of which were optioned by major studios or producers, and developed a screenplay “WILL NOT R.I.P.”, which he adapted from a graphic novella of the same name by Ave Rose. He wrote “SELLING SEX IN THE 21st CENTURY”. Subtitled: “Empowerment? Escorts In their Own Words.” a nonfiction, paperback book, self published and distributed in 2017 by Amazon, Kindle, and CreateSpace. Renowned Psychotherapist Christine Peterson Ph.D., added commentary, and it includes portions of interviews with approximately 100 sex workers and clients.

Selling Sex in the 21st Century

Non-Fiction

The internet, public media, and the sex mores of the new generation have radically changed the sex business and the lives of many sex workers, for better and for worse. This is a unique and contemporary study of the sex trade by James Tugend, with commentary by Christine Peterson, Ph.D. and about eighty sex workers or clients. The author and Dr. Peterson’s views changed as the current reality became apparent. After a general description and listing the traditional psychological theories, the book shows how the internet has transformed the sex business in waves. The business has expanded rapidly. Escorts receive about twice the money, and some turn away most hobbyists. Women pay for college educations, using contacts and contracts arranged by internet companies. Other websites list multiple reviews of providers and we see how it prevents a hobbyist from being robbed or ripped off. Internet sites for providers list hobbyists who have been checked out and deemed safe. Online ads for sex workers are irresistible to many.

The book shifts to in depth interviews with sex workers showing the diversity of their attitudes and backgrounds, and many have compelling stories. Escorts who are strong often put potential clients through the ringer before agreeing to see them. Hobbyists are interviewed as well, and they seem to be more distressed, weaker in many cases. Sex slavery is highly exaggerated by politicians and the press. Both Dr. Christine Peterson and the author were deeply affected by the “truth” revealed in provocative interviews over several years. The book intended to reduce prejudice towards escorts, and dispel the myths that they are all helpless victims, but the truth turns out to be more complex. It is based on over a hundred verbatim interviews of providers and their clients hobbyists, taken by phone or email. The average young American interacts with electronic media more than personal relationships, objectifying and replacing human interactions. An hour or two of superficial sex is seen as enough. As in much of life, sex providers can raise their self-esteem, enjoy power over men, and control their lives, if they have the strength to be true to themselves. Many don’t. Analysis & personal meaning to author.

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