Books like And here's the kicker by Mike Sacks

Steve Martin narrates his rise from a Disneyland guidebook salesman to New York’s comedy scene, detailing early magic tricks, relentless practice, and the discipline that propelled his stand‑up career.

Joe Toplyn’s insider guide reveals the step‑by‑step process for writing monologues, sketches, and parodies for late‑night TV, offering practical tips, tools, and a full submission packet for aspiring writers.

Jack Dee reveals how he became quite such a miserable git and a stand up comedian, sharing his many frustrations and deep-rooted disappointments with life along the way. For the first time, comedian Jack Dee reveals the highs and lows of his early life and disastrous day jobs.You don't just wake up jaundiced and bitter; it's taken Jack years of dedication and commitment to brew his unique cocktail of disillusionment and bile.What turned this once optimistic young man into a grumpy middle-aged git? Was it working in an artificial-leg factory? Or delivering incontinence pads for the NHS? Or was it the time when he was shunned by his peers for daring to thrash a one-armed man at tennis?In this hilariously frank account of his life, Jack finally answers the question, 'So how did you get started in comedy then?' Along the way, he shares his blatantly unreasonable views on everything from personal trainers to boutique hotels, via the overrated moon landing and 'people who hold their cutlery the wrong way'.Once you've read this book, you'll never think of Jack Dee as a smiling, happy-go-lucky, friendly face again.

A practical guide that blends theory and hands‑on exercises to help writers craft humor, satire, parody, and comedy in essays, scripts, and monologues.