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Damn Shame

A Memoir of Desire, Defiance, and Show Tunes

Author David Pevsner
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Paperback
$18.95 US
RH Canadian Publishing | Random House Canada
5.92"W x 8.98"H x 0.96"D   | 15 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Jan 11, 2022 | 368 Pages | 9781039000506
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A funny, daring, bawdy and incredibly honest memoir from the anti-ageist, anti-body shaming, pro-sex advocate and erotic provocateur.

Over the course of his 35-year career in show business, David Pevsner has done it all. He’s acted on Broadway, off-Broadway, in independent films and on numerous TV network shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family and Criminal Minds.
 
As he continues his career in entertainment, Pevsner has also dedicated himself to exploring his deepest sexual fantasies. In his late 30s he became a mature male escort and over the last several years has attracted a large international fan base through his blog of erotic photographs celebrating nudity and sexuality.
 
Damn Shame is David Pevsner’s incredible story and is a passionate and poignant look at one man’s journey from a thin, shy boy ashamed of his body and sexuality to a defiant, fearless everyman exploring his erotic desires, everything from leather and S&M to nude/erotic/hardcore modelling. Along the way, he fights back against society’s demonization of gay sex, body shaming and ageism while pursuing his own very personal definition of success and seeking love, validation and self-esteem.
 
Damn Shame gives a loud and powerful voice to a generation of mature men who have been conditioned to believe from society (and especially younger members of the gay community) that they are sexually irrelevant, old and undesirable. Pevsner’s life story goes in directions that many couldn’t imagine, but the lessons learned through his experiences will resonate with readers of every age.
“[An] entertaining debut. . . . These heartfelt meditations on sexual shame in a heteronormative culture will enlighten readers of all identities.” —Publishers Weekly


“I loved David’s journey to zero shame about his body, his sexuality and himself. Damn Shame has my ideal combo of racy, illuminating and idiosyncratic storytelling that transports you into a stranger’s life and mind. And—or beware—there is a lot of penis!” —Alan Cumming, actor and author of Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life
  
“In Damn Shame, David Pevsner guides us through a wonderfully appealing chronicle of his life as a performer, writer, sex worker, nude model and a gay guy making his way on his own terms. Rather than oversharing, he’s a delightful host to the most entertaining adventures.” —Paul Rudnick, actor and author of Jeffrey
 
“[Pevsner’s] honest and emotional memoir, Damn Shame, sings as it takes you through his awkward coming of age, his time as a ‘mature model,’ and his ongoing success in erotic art, as he’s come to embrace his own choices and feel comfortable in his own often exposed skin. Bravo, David. Encore!” —Michael Musto, journalist
 
“In deft, vivid prose, David Pevsner recounts his surprising journey from awkward teen to musical theater phenom to part-time male escort and fearless sexual advocate. Written with sly humour and at times eye-popping candour, Damn Shame is a compelling portrait of one gay man’s struggle for self-acceptance in a country that trumpets liberation but is all too beholden to its Puritan past.” —Doug Wright, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of I Am My Own Wife
 
“Who could imagine that a book which deals unapologetically with exhibitionism, LGBT ageism and sex work could be so filled with charm and self-deprecating good humour?” —Charles Busch, actor and author of The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife
David Pevsner is an LA-based actor and writer, with a little modeling on the side. His film appearances include Scrooge and Marley (as Ebenezer Scrooge), Spa Night, Joshua Tree 1951: A Portrait of James Dean, Role/Play, and Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption. His guest starring roles on television include Silicon Valley, NCIS, I’m Dying Up Here, Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Liz and Dick, Law and Order LA, and he starred in the popular web series Old Dogs and New Tricks.
 
David has had a diverse stage acting career, from regional theatres to Broadway. As a songwriter, his work has been featured in the global hit show Naked Boys Singing!, his CD of original comedy songs Most Versatile, and his two one man musicals, including Musical Comedy Whore! which is currently streaming and available on DVD. He continues his anti-shame, anti-ageism, and pro-nudity and sexuality mission with his work in erotic photos, videos, and writings.  View titles by David Pevsner

About

A funny, daring, bawdy and incredibly honest memoir from the anti-ageist, anti-body shaming, pro-sex advocate and erotic provocateur.

Over the course of his 35-year career in show business, David Pevsner has done it all. He’s acted on Broadway, off-Broadway, in independent films and on numerous TV network shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family and Criminal Minds.
 
As he continues his career in entertainment, Pevsner has also dedicated himself to exploring his deepest sexual fantasies. In his late 30s he became a mature male escort and over the last several years has attracted a large international fan base through his blog of erotic photographs celebrating nudity and sexuality.
 
Damn Shame is David Pevsner’s incredible story and is a passionate and poignant look at one man’s journey from a thin, shy boy ashamed of his body and sexuality to a defiant, fearless everyman exploring his erotic desires, everything from leather and S&M to nude/erotic/hardcore modelling. Along the way, he fights back against society’s demonization of gay sex, body shaming and ageism while pursuing his own very personal definition of success and seeking love, validation and self-esteem.
 
Damn Shame gives a loud and powerful voice to a generation of mature men who have been conditioned to believe from society (and especially younger members of the gay community) that they are sexually irrelevant, old and undesirable. Pevsner’s life story goes in directions that many couldn’t imagine, but the lessons learned through his experiences will resonate with readers of every age.

Praise

“[An] entertaining debut. . . . These heartfelt meditations on sexual shame in a heteronormative culture will enlighten readers of all identities.” —Publishers Weekly


“I loved David’s journey to zero shame about his body, his sexuality and himself. Damn Shame has my ideal combo of racy, illuminating and idiosyncratic storytelling that transports you into a stranger’s life and mind. And—or beware—there is a lot of penis!” —Alan Cumming, actor and author of Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life
  
“In Damn Shame, David Pevsner guides us through a wonderfully appealing chronicle of his life as a performer, writer, sex worker, nude model and a gay guy making his way on his own terms. Rather than oversharing, he’s a delightful host to the most entertaining adventures.” —Paul Rudnick, actor and author of Jeffrey
 
“[Pevsner’s] honest and emotional memoir, Damn Shame, sings as it takes you through his awkward coming of age, his time as a ‘mature model,’ and his ongoing success in erotic art, as he’s come to embrace his own choices and feel comfortable in his own often exposed skin. Bravo, David. Encore!” —Michael Musto, journalist
 
“In deft, vivid prose, David Pevsner recounts his surprising journey from awkward teen to musical theater phenom to part-time male escort and fearless sexual advocate. Written with sly humour and at times eye-popping candour, Damn Shame is a compelling portrait of one gay man’s struggle for self-acceptance in a country that trumpets liberation but is all too beholden to its Puritan past.” —Doug Wright, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of I Am My Own Wife
 
“Who could imagine that a book which deals unapologetically with exhibitionism, LGBT ageism and sex work could be so filled with charm and self-deprecating good humour?” —Charles Busch, actor and author of The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife

Author

David Pevsner is an LA-based actor and writer, with a little modeling on the side. His film appearances include Scrooge and Marley (as Ebenezer Scrooge), Spa Night, Joshua Tree 1951: A Portrait of James Dean, Role/Play, and Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption. His guest starring roles on television include Silicon Valley, NCIS, I’m Dying Up Here, Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Liz and Dick, Law and Order LA, and he starred in the popular web series Old Dogs and New Tricks.
 
David has had a diverse stage acting career, from regional theatres to Broadway. As a songwriter, his work has been featured in the global hit show Naked Boys Singing!, his CD of original comedy songs Most Versatile, and his two one man musicals, including Musical Comedy Whore! which is currently streaming and available on DVD. He continues his anti-shame, anti-ageism, and pro-nudity and sexuality mission with his work in erotic photos, videos, and writings.  View titles by David Pevsner

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