Writing Comedy

Comedy has always been one of the most high-profile, glamorous, and potentially lucrative markets for scriptwriters, but it is also perceived as one of the hardest. In the fourth edition of this highly regarded handbook, John Byrne breaks down the basics of writing comedy into simple steps and shows you how to make the most of your own comedy writing talent and—just as importantly—your ability to market that talent. Here is a wealth of practical advice both on how to get your career off the ground and how to keep developing it. Whether you are writing comedy routines, sketches, or sitcoms and aiming your work at the page, the stage, or the ever-expanding world of broadcasting, you will find something in this book to encourage, inform, and inspire you.

As with any art form, the basics of good comedy never go out of fashion. While the easy steps in this book are illustrated with examples of work by classic comedians old and new, you will also find useful advice on...