Writing Comedy (Writing Handbooks) [Paperback]

John Byrne (Author)

Book Description

Series: Writing Handbooks | Publication Date: November 2002

This work breaks down the basics of writing comedy into simple steps and shows how to make the most of your individual comedy writing abilities. It starts with the basics - writing jokes and short pieces - and then develops into writing sitcoms and full length routines. There are ideas on how to tailor material for radio, TV and print. It also discusses the practical aspects of turning comedy writing into a career, and offers suggestions on how to make contacts within the business, follow up leads and market your material effectively. This updated edition looks at the latest developments and markets for comedy from the Internet to broadband and interactive TV.

Editorial Reviews

Review

John Byrne is the guru when it comes to advice on building a successful comedy career. Unlike many advisors, he's been there and done it himself. He knows the joys and sorrows of the comedy world and is best placed to help budding comedians make the most of their talent. Jasmine Birtles, financial journalist, author, columnist for Independent This is a book every comedy writer will come to value. Ken Rock, founder member of the British Society of Comedy Writers --This text refers to the Digital edition.

About the Author

John Byrne is an author, cartoonist and stand up comedian with wide ranging experience in both performance and teaching of creative skills. His cartoons regularly appear in a wide range of publications including Media Week, The Stage and The Bookseller and he has also published over thirty books for children and adults. He lives in London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: A&C Black; 2nd edition (November 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0713663790
• ISBN-13: 978-0713663792
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,038,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #80 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Comedy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome handbook full of practical advice regarding how to be a comedy writer and how to make a career of it., December 10, 2006

By 

Jeff Lippincott "JLIPPIN" (Princeton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing Comedy (Writing Handbooks) (Paperback)

I'm a sucker for just about any "how-to" book written on comedy. I don't purchase all the ones that I find, but the good ones get me to pull the wallet out. I pulled the wallet out for this one! What a great resource for someone interested in comedy writing. There are kinda two books in one in this tome. One part covers the basics of writing comedy, and the other part covers how to make a career as a comedy writer. It also distinguishes comedy writers from comedy performers - the two are not necessarily one and the same. This book is about comedy writing - not comedy performing.

But don't pass up this book just because you don't intend to be a professional comedy writer. Any writing that is intended for an audience will probably be better received (and enjoyed?) if it includes at least a touch of comedy or humor in it. If you are a consultant who writes books, ebooks, and/or creates and delivers seminars and workshops, then you will do yourself a favor to get this book and study its contents.

If you are a member of Toastmasters and want some insight on how to tackle the Humorous Speech manual, then consider getting this book.

The author has over 20 years experience as a comedy professional and he's written over 40 books. The quality of this book exudes all that experience. It's very informative and well-written. And being a 3rd edition says a lot about the book. It's been around and has been made better with each edition. It was a pleasure to read. 5 stars!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Who IS John Byrne anyway?!, August 5, 2008

By 

R. Lewis - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing Comedy (Writing Handbooks) (Paperback)

Those that can DO - those that can't TEACH.

John Byrne's book on comedy is a joke - a self-described "successful" comedian no UK stand-up fans have ever seen or heard perform thinks he has the right to teach comedy. Byrne has never performed on British TV, you never see his name headlining major comedy clubs, nor on the writing credits of a succesful tv sitcom. Yet he believes he can teach how to be a success at all of these.

And the book's contents? Well if you think you can become a successful comedian using dated techniques like puns and malaprops, good luck to you. But don't expect to be headlining the Comedy Store thanks to anything you'll read in this dated, irrelvant and misleading travesty of a book.