Comedy Writing

A Complete Guide to Writing, Performing, and Marketing Humor

By: Steve Alcorn

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Master the Art of Making Readers Laugh

Why do some writers effortlessly make us snort coffee through our noses, while others try desperately to be funny and land with a quiet, terrible thud? The difference isn't talent — it's craft. And craft can be learned.

USA Today bestselling author Steve Alcorn draws on more than 25 years of teaching experience to break down the mechanics of humor writing: how to find comedy in everyday life, build jokes that actually land, sustain a funny voice across hundreds of pages, and get your humor out into the world.

From Aristophanes to TikTok, from slapstick to satire, this comprehensive guide covers the full comedy toolkit — with examples from Jerry Seinfeld, Tina Fey, David Sedaris, Terry Pratchett, P.G. Wodehouse, and dozens more.

Inside You'll Discover:

- Where comedy comes from — and why the same techniques that worked 2,500 years ago still power today's best humor
- How observation, surprise, and misdirection create the engine of every joke
- The art of absurdity and exaggeration — pushing reality just far enough to be hilarious
- Satire, parody, and sarcasm: comedy's sharpest tools and how to wield them
- Improv principles that transform how you write — including the golden rule of "Yes, and"
- Visual humor techniques that make readers see something funny on a silent page
- The comedy writing process: from notebook habits to revision to knowing when the joke is done
- Marketing strategies that turn your sense of humor into your greatest promotional asset

Whether you're writing a comic novel, humor essays, stand-up material, sketches, satirical columns, or just want to make your serious writing funnier, Comedy Writing provides a complete roadmap from first laugh to finished manuscript.

Perfect for writers of: comic fiction and humorous memoir, stand-up and sketch comedy, satire and parody, humor essays and personal narrative, screenwriting and sitcom writing, and anyone who wants to add wit to their work.

Steve Alcorn is a USA Today bestselling author, engineer, and educator. In 1986 he founded Alcorn McBride, the leading maker of technology for theme park attractions worldwide. In 2001 he founded Writing Academy, where for more than 25 years he has helped over 100,000 students structure their novels — both through his own courses and through the online programs of more than 1,500 colleges and universities. He is the author of 27 books spanning fiction, nonfiction, and writing craft.