Wicked, warped, devilish, and dead-on, The Cynic's Dictionary presents rib-tickling, oh-so-cynical word definitions guaranteed to administer a swift kick to cock-eyed optimists. Laughing over these hilarious definitions will give dyed-in-the-wool cynics a momentary lift from their jaundiced state.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
You can contact me directly via my professional website, richardbayan.com.
I was born in New Brunswick, NJ, and raised there during the idyllic 1950s and '60s. After graduating from Rutgers with a degree in history, I picked up a master's in journalism from the University of Illinois. I worked briefly for a couple of trade magazines and Time-Life Books, then found my professional calling as an advertising copywriter -- first at Barron's and later at Day-Timers, where I served as copy chief from 1985 through 1999.
While at Barron's I wrote my first book, Words That Sell, a copywriter's thesaurus that quickly became a standard marketing reference. The Cynic's Dictionary followed ten years later. In 2003 I was asked to write a sequel to Words That Sell, and the result was (surprise!) More Words That Sell -- actually a very different book with a more targeted approach to selling. In 2006 I completed a major revision and expansion of the original Words That Sell.
I quit my day-job in 1999 and have been busy since then establishing myself as a freelance writer-consultant. My clients have ranged from Louis Borders (co-founder of Borders Books) to a small art cinema in Allentown, PA. I've also launched a political blog called The New Moderate (http://newmoderate.com) to help fill the gap between the battling "red" and "blue" camps that dominate the political and cultural debate in the U.S.
I live in a quaint, tree-shaded, 115-year-old former livery stable in Philadelphia with my young son and a geriatric cat. I'm always available for freelance projects or contract work. Wish me luck (and buy my books!).
