This updated edition looks at all the latest markets for comedy writers, with new material on writing 'The Office' style docu-comedies, writing for children's TV, and even how to try out your own jokes in stand-up comedy routines. Comedy has blossomed into one of the most high profile and glamorous areas of the entertainment industry but it is often perceived as one of the hardest writing jobs. In the third edition of this highly regarded handbook, John Byrne breaks down the basics of writing comedy into simple steps and shows how to make the most of your writing talent and your ability to market that talent.
Writing Comedy (Writing Handbooks)
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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, President, British Society of Comedy Writers --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
This is a book every comedy writer will come to value. --Ken Rock, President, British Society of Comedy Writers --This text refers to an alternate Paperback 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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By The Emperor
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Useful as a very basic guide to get you started but somewhat lacking in detail.
It is a bit too short and quite a lot of space is devoted to advice on how to approach stand-ups and offering to write for them. The writer should have devoted more pages to comedy writing techniques rather than writing about his own career.
For all its faults I did get something out of it though.
It is a bit too short and quite a lot of space is devoted to advice on how to approach stand-ups and offering to write for them. The writer should have devoted more pages to comedy writing techniques rather than writing about his own career.
For all its faults I did get something out of it though.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
John byrne is an experienced comedy writer, and we can draw from this. But don't expect this book to make you into Woody Allen overnight. It covers the nuts and bolts of comedy writing, from simple gags to full blown sitcoms - a must for the novice.
Although it is informative, you should treat it as inspirational - keep dipping into it when the muse doesn't strike. Read and re-read it. You won't be disappointed.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I found this a very useful book. It is simple and no nonsense and doesn't pretend comedy writing is anything more then a combination of your own creative abilitie s and a lot of hard work. But it gives you all the building blocks you need to suuceed, whether your writing is for stand up, TV or radio. If you want a philosophical discussion of the nature of comedy, then look elsewhere but all I can say is that I've had a lot more success with my own stuff since buying the book, and although I haven't written a blockbuster sitcom yet I've certainly made the cover price back several times over!
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
At last a book which gives the new writer a sound basis for understanding the medium and how to turn ideas into laughter upon the page.
Mr Byrne lead the reader through a series useful hints and tips based on his own career and knowledge of the business.
He is never condescending and you get the impression he has spent a great deal of time in writing the book and not just thrown something together for the dosh!
Above all else, Mr Byrne gives great encouragement and instills self-belief into the prospective writer, after all we are an insecure bunch.
I urge you to buy this book if you think you have talent and are funny..
Mr Byrne lead the reader through a series useful hints and tips based on his own career and knowledge of the business.
He is never condescending and you get the impression he has spent a great deal of time in writing the book and not just thrown something together for the dosh!
Above all else, Mr Byrne gives great encouragement and instills self-belief into the prospective writer, after all we are an insecure bunch.
I urge you to buy this book if you think you have talent and are funny..
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Big Bry
Format:Paperback
I let my heart rule my head. So many earlier reviews gave the impression that this book was the ultimate manual for comedy writers, that I thought I must have it. The reality is that it clearly has some helpful and interesting content, but I fear that some of the earlier reviewers may have been rather over exuberant in their praise. If you are a novice,then it will almost certainly be of some help, but if you have even a moderate amount of experience, I would sugges that your money may well be better spent elsewhere.
14 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I, as a fledgling comedy writer found the book a great source of both instruction and encouragement. John Byrne is full of ideas for getting what is usually a number of unrelated and funny items which circulate around your head, usually on the bus or looking out of the window, into coherent and funny lines. He details how to have the courage to begin, setting out your ideas in a workable format and then put them together in a string of humourous writings. He achieves this at a level which all readers can relate to and yet has bags of encouragement. Especially invaluable for the writer looking to be heard on the great british medium of radio was the section dealing with writing sketches and quickies. John shows you how to produce professional looking work that should, if of course they are funny,impress producers and editors alike and may even be broadcast! I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all writers of that lonely art of comedy writing. I have certainly learnt a lot, in fact I couldn`t put it down, I think it was something to do with the superglue I managed to smear on the cover!
Format:Kindle Edition
When I teach I recommend this book to people who are thinking of writing for others. It has a wealth of information and advice from the author on selling your comedy writing and you get the sense that John Byne has really done it and knows what it's like to be a jobbing writer.
As for the rest of it was very basic on the actual comedy writing front, the low point being where he explains that `it' is frequently used to stand in for the sexual act !! Although I thought he explained brain storming well, so the novice writer would find that very useful.
As for the rest of it was very basic on the actual comedy writing front, the low point being where he explains that `it' is frequently used to stand in for the sexual act !! Although I thought he explained brain storming well, so the novice writer would find that very useful.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Although I've been a freelance comedy writer for quite a few years,and have sold material to various markets,a constant stream of rejection slips has almost forced me to give up. Books like this one are not only informative but are, more importantly, inspirational.
There are countless American how-to books, but these tend to alienate us Brits, as their sense of humour is different from ours.This book is firmly grounded in our sense of humour.
John Byrne is an experienced comedy writer, and you will draw from this. He covers everything from simple gags to full-blown sitcoms. Don't expect to be a comedy writer overnight. Read the book, and read it again and again. Inspiration is the most important thing. This is what keeps you going , despite those rejection slips.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ignore the last review - they don't know what they are talking about
I have known of John Byrne as an artist and comedian for years. His approach to writing comedy isn't unique but it is very clear, and it is very real. Read more
Published on 11 July 2007 by Mr. Andrew Gray
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not worth the money
The author does not tell you anything you would not know yourself. A few one line gags is not worth ten pounds. Also you must be aware the book deals mainly with writing for radio. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2000
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