cover image Fast Forward: Confessions of a Porn Screenwriter

Fast Forward: Confessions of a Porn Screenwriter

Eric Spitznagel. Manic D Press, $13.95 (214pp) ISBN 978-1-933149-05-9

In a post-James Frey world, it's wise for humor author Spitznagel (Planet Baywatch) and his publisher to include a disclaimer stating that ""some elements have been exaggerated, embellished and (at times) outright fabricated."" Indeed, Spitznagel's hilarious account of his attempt to write the Great American Porno-one to be celebrated as much for dialogue and plot as for raw depictions of hardcore sex-is too bizarre (and too funny) to be completely true. But to Spitznagel's credit, his latest isn't a dirty book; sure, it's full of colorful descriptions and crass wit, but it also chronicles a shady industry that many readers want to know about-but are afraid to ask-through the familiar story of an artist's struggle for both integrity and a paycheck. While the first chapter reads like a magazine article (portions of the book have appeared in slightly different form in magazines Hitch, 3AM and Salon.com), the author quickly finds his footing, writing in an often cynical, occasionally sympathetic voice that suits his subject. Entertaining throughout, Spitznagel caps this dirty tour of duty with his ingenious script for a Spinal Tap-like mockumentary, called (naturally) ""Butt Crazy!""