Boys for Sale

More than 2,000,000 children worldwide are bought and sold each year to be used as slaves. When his parents agree to send Tavi off to a special school in the city that promises wealth and success, they have no idea that they are handing their son over to real life human traffickers. Tavi's excitement soon turns into horror as he learns what kind of life he has been forced into and the things that are expected of him. As his world comes crashing down around him, he struggles to stay true to himself in the midst of the darkness. But when one of his friends dies a horrific death, Tavi knows that he must escape if he is to survive and ever have a chance at a normal life again. Disclaimer - This book does contain a couple of very brief sex scenes and minor drug usage. It's based on real-life anecdotes from children who have forced into this kind of situation, and so there are a couple of gritty, unpalatable images that would have been unrealistic to leave out.

Questions for Marc Finks
Q: How did you ever decide to write about this topic?
A: I attended a speech given by David Batstone, and I was so moved and shocked by the stories that he told that I felt like I had to do something. I'm not really a good public speaker, but I thought that maybe I could write and help let people know about this issue...one that I had definitely not been aware of.
Q: How did you do research for your books?
A: I read as much as I could find about it, and then I actually visited Thailand and volunteered for a couple of weeks at a home for children who have been rescued from child slavery. A lot of their stories made their way into the second book. It's so sad and tragic, and yet....these children have hope and they are going to school and studying and trying to put the horrors behind them.
Q: What do you say for people who call this 'porn'? 
A: If people knew how hard it was for me to write several scenes..how disgusted and sad I felt to be writing them...then they would hopefully understand better that I did not get pleasure from writing a lot of the things in the first book. Terrible things happen to Tavi, but I tried to show it from his perspective and to show that - no matter what the clients think - it's not enjoyable for the children. It's pain. It's torture. It's rape.
Q: Do you have any words for people who are considering buying this book?
A: I tried to walk a fine line between showing too much and too little of what happens to these children. If you're hoping to find a voyeristic novel where you can enjoy the idea of child slavery, then I hope you are severely disappointed. If you're expecting a soft, happy, G-rated story, then you will probably be upset by what you read. I was upset writing the book, and I actually cringed when I wrote a couple of paragraphs.
Q: Do you think that your books have made any difference?
A: I hope so. I've received emails from people thanking me for letting them know that things like this are happening in the world. I don't know if anyone has actually acted upon their knowledge, but so many people are ignorant (or in denial) that these kinds of things are happening in today's world, and so maybe sharing knowledge is the first step.
Q: Will there be a third book in the series?
A: Readers have actually emailed me asking that, and I have to say 'no'. After two books, all I can do is just write more tragic tales about young people being abused. If you've read the two books, then thank you, but hopefully now you'll think, "Now I know that this is an issue. What can I do now?!"
Q: So, what are you working on these days?
A: I'm trying to write a fantasy series. The first book is out, but it's difficult. I want to be different (like everyone does), but I still find my line of thought converging back into traditional fantasy subplots.  I'm also making a choose-your-own adventure storybook app for toddlers and young children that I'm really excited about. Hopefully we can inspire more children to enjoy reading at a young age and help turn that love into a lifetime habit.
Q: Sounds interesting. Anything else you want to add?
A: Thank you...everyone...for reading my books. I can't describe how I feel when I know that someone is reading something that I wrote...and then writing a nice review about it. It just boggles my mind and I just want to say...thank you.