How to Be a Working Comic: An Insider's Guide to a Career in Stand-Up Comedy

by Dave Schwensen

Offering more insiders advice than any other manual, this book shows you how to try out material; get onstage experience; market your act to talent bookers, agents, and managers; go on the road; get... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823088146
• ISBN13: 9780823088140
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Back Stage Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Great book for anyone considering Stand Up comedy!

It covers so much ground. Very useful information on both the creative and business end of the competetive field of Stand Up comedy. Dave Schwensen informs you of the ins and outs in the comedy circuit while also encouraging you to have your own voice. Great reference book. Even after I read it, I still refer to it. A veritable "manual" on Stand Up. In addition, I enjoyed very much the interviews in the back of the book with working professional comedians (Drew Carey, Jeff Foxworthy, etc.)

A book that will help you map out your career in comedy.

How To Be A Working Comic is the first book you should read before attempting a comedy career. It will show you how to get on stage, and what to do after you step off the stage. A book that is simple and easy to read and yet it covers every detail on getting a booker intrested in calling you. Dave you couldn't have made it any easer unless you went on stage for me, and gave me the paycheck. Thanks a thousand laughs.

Great for all comics!

I have been a working comic since '91 and I've read all the books. This is the most practical one yet. Real world information that any comic can use, MC's, Features, and Headliners can all learn something from this book. If you are new, this is a MUST HAVE book!

Practical & Inspiring

I am a ventriloquist from South Africa and have been working the Corporate & Comedy Circuit for about a year. I have read many books on the topic of stand-up comedy and Dave's book stands out as one of the best. It is packed with practical & insightful advice. The interviews with the comedians was inspiring and the advice from these seasoned professionals makes this book unique and extremely valuable. I highly recommend this book to any person interested in persuing a career in stand-up comedy.

entertaining, exciting, encouraging

am not a comic, have never been a comic and never knew I might someday want to be a comic, until reading Dave Schwensen's "How To Be A Working Comic". Actually, I still have no intention of going in to the business, however on recommendation from a friend, I picked up the book. Part I made me wish I had pursued at least some form of humorous public speaking, i.e. stand up comedy, and glad I was still labeled life of the party. Maybe I'll enter the group of over 40's who make a change in career. If that part of the book was fun for a non-comic, imagine what the wanna be's think. Probably - "Wow, this is great!" Part II was entertainment for everyone. Especially those who like lifestyle type reading. The interviews with the comics were up close and personal. They made me feel like I was having a conversation with the star. This book is a must read for the professional and the general public. With the need for humor so prevelant in this stressful society, it's good to lighten up.