Jessa Crispin

Jessa Crispin, born around 1978 in Kansas, is an American critic, author, and feminist. She established Bookslut, a literary blog and webzine, in 2002, which operated for 14 years and gained national recognition. Crispin's background includes a conservative upbringing in Lincoln, Kansas, and a period of study at Baker University before leaving without a degree.

Her career began as an independent voice in literature, launching Bookslut while employed at Planned Parenthood. The site eventually became her full-time endeavor. Crispin has contributed to various publications, including The Guardian, NPR, PBS, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. She has authored five books, with her most recent exploring masculinity and societal issues through the lens of film.

Jessa Crispin emerged as a significant voice in literary criticism through her founding of Bookslut in 2002. This online platform served as a litblog and webzine, providing a space for critical discourse and eventually allowing Crispin to sustain herself through its operation. Over its 14-year run, Bookslut garnered attention from major national and international newspapers, solidifying its influence. Crispin's work extended beyond Bookslut; she maintained a diary for The Guardian, held a regular column for Drexel University's The Smart Set, and contributed book criticism to NPR and PBS. Her writing has also appeared in prominent outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, showcasing a broad engagement with contemporary literature and culture.

A recurring theme in Crispin's work is the examination of societal structures, particularly concerning gender and masculinity. Her book "What is Wrong with Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything" (2025) directly addresses these topics, linking them to broader cultural phenomena. Similarly, "My Three Dads: Patriarchy on the Great Plains" (2022) delves into the influence of patriarchal systems within a specific regional context. Her feminist perspective is further articulated in "Why I Am Not a Feminist: A Feminist Manifesto" (2017), where she critically engages with contemporary feminist discourse. Crispin's personal reflections, such as her marriage in 2018 and her subsequent interview with her husband about gender performance, also inform her critical analyses of societal norms.

“Marriage’s history is about treating women as property, and by being married you’re legitimising that history.”