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

Getting ahead in standup comedy means having an original slant on things. Many books and comedy classes offer “secrets” and “formulas” intended to make the aspiring comic a big success. In How to Be a Working Comic, author Dave Schwensen points out that the performers who are in demand never follow the same path—and neither should you if you want to excel in this demanding, competitive profession.



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 on television, and much more. Supplementing the author’s own expertise are his interviews with more than sixteen proven talents, including Drew Carey, Carrot Top, Jeff Foxworthy, and Tommy Smothers—all of whom embody the qualities of originality, career know-how, and laughter. Schwensen assumes you already believe you’re funny enough to tackle a comedy career. Making sure you develop a comic vision that’s completely your own is the essential lesson in starting out in the exciting but crowded field of standup comedy.

Dave Schwensen is the owner of Dave Schwensen Entertainment, where he books talent for clubs, colleges, corporate shows, concerts, theaters, and special events. A teacher of comedy workshops, he live in Vermilion, Ohio.