The less exciting (though still great!) news first: I’m pleased as punch to let folks know that The Purity Myth is now out in paperback and only around $12 depending on where you buy it. (I was shocked to see that even Target is selling it – nice!) I got a lot of emails when the hardcover came out about the prohibitive price, so I’m really glad that Seal Press was so quick in turning around a paperback edition.
Now the cooler news: The Purity Myth is going to be a movie! Well, a documentary. You may know of the Media Education Foundation from their fantastic films like Dreamworlds, Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, Tough Guise and Killing Us Softly. (The organization has also worked with amazing authors like bell hooks, Michael Kimmel and Mary Pipher.)
So I couldn’t be more thrilled and flattered to be working with MEF and its founder Sut Jhally on a film based on The Purity Myth. Because seriously, what’s more fun than thinking of virgin/whore visuals?! I don’t know when it will be released yet – but I’ll keep you updated…
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24 Comments
This is AMAZING news. Congratulations. Wow.
Congratulations! I love MEF and I loved the Purity Myth so this should be fantastic. I can’t wait to see it. Well done, Jessica!
So awesome, Jessica! The book was really great and I look forward to seeing the documentary.
Congrats
Jessica! Amazing. Once it’s out, I will certainly use it in my high school course on feminism in NYC. Congrats fellow PWV’er! ~Ileana Jimenez
I’m super excited! Awesome! I recommend this book to everyone I know.
congrats, Jessica!!! You deserve the kudos :-]
and yeah, this documentary hopefully should be awesome. Everyone needs to read that book.
Congrats Jessica! I can’t wait to see the documentary! Good luck on the production!
Thanks, y’all! Really appreciate the kind words.
Congratulations, Jessica! I’m a big fan of MEF and a big fan of your writing — I’ll be looking forward to ordering the documentary, even despite MEF’s fairly standard $100+ price tag and my meager teacher’s salary. I’m really happy for your success!
Ahhh! Congrats Jessica! I LOVED The Purity Myth, I can’t wait to see how the documentary turns out! Nice job!
Jessica,
I can’t think of a better immediate outcome for your book and moreover a better partner to make this film. My first exposure to Dreamworlds was in college. The films had a lasting impact on me and the work I have created ever since as a film-maker and now as a photographer. I’m profoundly happy for you and how this will broaden the legacy of your work.
Yeah for paperback!
I’ve enjoyed your writing and am looking forward to seeing the documentary. How exciting!
I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW! wow!
Fantastic – I hope I can use it as a teaching tool with girls (so consider this my two cents for the use of appropriate language OR an edited version). !! It’s a much needed addition to the MEF canon.
That’s amazing! Congrats! I hope I can use it as a teaching tool with young adults – so consider that my two cents for the use of provocative language OR an unedited version.
Good news all round on the book and film.
If you have input into the release details of the movie could you try to ensure that the DVD edition has good subtitles? Many documentaries neglect this nicety of accessibility.
Excellent news! I’m definitely going to pick up a copy now. I went to Catholic schools for 6-12th grades, which meant abstinence-only sex ed all the way. We devoted a full quarter in my sophomore Religion class to a book called Abortion: The Silent Holocaust. I’ve wanted to read your book for a while, so a more-affordable paperback is very much appreciated.
I’m so excited for this. I have not read any of your books (besides excerpts) but I plan to buy a copy for my local library as well as one for my own collection. Your thoughts have helped me and my friends so much (we all read feministing and talk about it) and I can’t wait for the documentary to come out.
That is so awesome!! Congrats, Jessica!
That is so exciting!! I can’t wait
I’m going to use this as an opportunity to tell you I fucking LOVE your books. I got The Purity Myth for Christmas and it’s amazing so far. I basically have an epic girl-crush on you. I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE DOCUMENTARY!
Great news! Can’t wait to use this in my women’s studies classes and the paperback version will make it more affordable. Have been using Full Frontal since it came out in intro to ws and LOVE it. Congrats!!!
This is awesome news!! I loved the purity myth and I’ve always enjoyed MEF films, I actually thought it would be a really good doc, if giventhe oppurtunity to be made.
I am just finishing the book. Damn, it’s good.