Peter Sotos

Peter Sotos (born April 17, 1960) is an American writer and musician. In his books, Sotos examines sadistic sexual criminals and sexually violent pornography, particularly involving children. His writings are interpreted by some as commenting on media hypocrisy around these issues. His books are often first-person narratives, taking on the point of view of the sexual predator in order to explore sadistic and pedophilic sexual impulses. Biography Education Sotos is a graduate of Holy Cross High School. He attended Northern Illinois University for one year and studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for four years. Bibliography Lazy (1999) examines the public fascination with sex crimes, and their influence on art works such as the painting Myra by Marcus Harvey. Selfish, Little (2004) recounts the murder of Lesley Ann Downey by British Moors Murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in 1964. Predicate (2005) explores the Dunblane Massacre in Scotland in 1996 and the motives and life of its perpetrator Thomas Watt Hamilton. Other topics covered include Operation Ore, the Wonderland murders, Russian orphanages, Megan's Law, and non-nude teen websites. Comfort and Critique (2005) explores the hidden motives of reporters and citizens as shown by their reactions to sexual crimes. Show Adult (2007) investigates the experience of pornography. The book also analyzes the TV shows Supernanny and To Catch a Predator as publicly acceptable forms of child pornography. Lordotics (2008) deals with sex offenders and the art of photography. Pure Filth (2012) details transcripts of the gonzo movies porn star Jamie Gillis produced during the 1990s. Gillis adds an introduction to each transcript. Sotos, who was a friend of Gillis, brings his own perspective to these records. The book was completed a few days before Gillis died in February 2010. Desistance (2014) is focused on the works of French photographer Antoine D'Agata. Ingratitude (2018) is a monologue. Lionel Maunz Peter Sotos (2021) is a collaboration with the titular contemporary artist.