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An Evening With Lance Hansen and ‘Limerature 101’

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Philadelphia’s Partners and Sons Art and Comics, one of the best and most iconic indie stores around, hosted an event for Humorist Books author Lance Hansen. Old fans and new fans — Fansens — showed up in big numbers for the illustrator and comic poet’s public presentation of Limerature 101. Lance signed books, read aloud from his bestselling collection of witty limericks about great works of literature — and mingled with the crowd. It was charming, the Philadelphia faithful were charming, and Partners and Sons is a great spot. If you ever need to hold an author event or a meet-and-greet in the greater Philadelphia area, we highly recommend it.

We also highly recommend you going back in time and meeting Lance while he signs your copy of Limerature 101. You can’t do that, but you can get buy it right here and right now, and check out these pictures that Humorist Books Marty Dundics captured that special night. 

Oh, You Missed a Great “Lobster Heist” Launch Party at Astoria Bookshop

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It’s just objectively cool and thrilling for an author to sign copies of their novel and read from it. It’s even better when they get to it at a historic and beloved bookstore. Last night, the fabulous Astoria Bookshop hosted Humorist Books author Erin McLaughlin for the launch of her funny and charming coming-of-age debut novel The Lobster Heist. A big thanks to Astoria Bookshop, and to everyone who showed up to help celebrate Erin and this wonderful book. Here’s a glimpse at all the fun you missed if you weren’t there, via some snapshots from Humorist Media boss Marty Dundics.

6 Important Writerly Questions with Erin McLaughlin

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Have you read The Lobster Heist? Oh, you must. It’s the best, most exquisite lobster-based thing you can get that doesn’t require clarified butter. Out now from Humorist Books, it’s the story of stunted slacker Josh Cantillo, whose life consists mostly of slopping on the topics at Brooklyn’s Hot Dawgy Dawgs and searching futilely for the lobsterman father who abandoned him years earlier. When he finds out Dad is dying, he aims to reunite with him and show him the one thing he remembers them both liking: a rare, metallic-blue lobster that resides in a local, sketchy Chinese restaurant with underworld ties. Does he steal that lobster and head for a Maine for an unpredictable, funny, and quite moving adventure? You’re damn right. 

The Lobster Heist is the debut novel by noted internet humor writer and The Hard Times contributor Erin McLaughlin. She answered some questions for us. And you. And here they are!

1. Who are you? What are you doing here?

I am Erin McLaughlin! I’m a satire writer and author of The Lobster Heist. I’m also an editor and a future adjunct for eternity/aspiring academic.

2. Since “Where do you get your ideas?” is a terrible question, what made you want to write this book? 

I didn’t know my dad growing up, or much about him, and I felt an identity crisis about it (to the point of changing my last name; my last name used to be Mandeel). I realized that who you are isn’t based on who a parent is. Your true character and who you “are” is in you, not whether you’re 25% Eastern European on your dad’s side or whatever. Plus, I always loved misadventure crime capers and blue lobsters.

3. How did you keep writing this book?

The pandemic! I had time to actually devote myself to writing. I was also going hard with satire at the time, co-running a satirical crowdfunding site that I co-founded called JumpKick. Writing was the only thing keeping me sane.

4. Who is this book for, anyway? 

It is for all of the people facing an identity crisis or dealing with abandonment issues and loss and insecurity who need a big hug. Also for punk rockers and Breaking Bad fans (find the 12 Breaking Bad references inside!), I guess.

5. Any darlings you had to kill?

Just my former self who based her identity on the wrong things. But that part of myself is still okay and still somewhat exists. But I overcame it.

6. What are you working on now?

I’m working on an entertainment/labor union satirical novel! It’ll satirize entertainment companies through the lens of a labor union. I started writing it today. Hopefully I am still writing it when this comes out! Also been trying to crank out some literary satire.

Erin McLaughlin will read from The Lobster Heist and speak on October 6 at 7 p.m. at the illustrious Astoria Books in Queens, New York. Go on, go there, meet Erin, have a great time, get an autograph.

When ‘Attack of the Rom-Com’ Attacked The Ripped Bodice

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On September 21, 2023, The Ripped Bodice, a romance-focused independent bookstore and also easily the most fun bookshop in Los Angeles, welcomed Humorist Books author Martti Nelson to read from her latest novel Attack of the Rom-Com. Martti read, talked, joked, signed copies, and charmed the large crowd that showed up.

Here’s a look at the wonderful evening, with photos courtesy of Weekly Humorist leader and Humorist Books publisher Marty Dundics.

The star of the night!

Martti Nelson, the true star of the night, signs a copy.

Martti and one of her many fans.

She wrote ‘Lyssa Strata’ for Humorist Books, too!

Taking the stage. Big thanks again, The Ripped Bodice!

Get yourself a copy of Attack of the Rom-Com wherever books are sold, or directly from us, or at The Ripped Bodice, of course.

6 Important Writerly Questions with Martti Nelson

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Martti Nelson wrote the new Humorist Books title Attack of the Rom-Com. A gleefully savage send-up of romantic comedy tropes while also itself a romantic comedy, it concerns the love journey of the emphatically romance-adverse Sophie Sweet as she finds herself trapped in a series of nightmarish cliche rom-com situations. The only way out: Find, accept, and acknowledge her “One True Love.” 

Here’s what Nelson (also the author of another great Humorist Books novel, the classic Greek satire update Lyssa Strata) had to say for herself, and her book.

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1. Who are you? What are you doing here?

I am a unicorn trapped in a lady body. How I long to roam the forest, goring those who would oppose me, their blood drip–

Um, I’m a shorty who lives in LA with an amazing husband and a cat who runs the house. I’m here to write funny stuff for ladies. Stuff that points out how screwed up the world is–not that we don’t know that already, but it’s nice to have someone confirm it, I think. By the end of all of my books, I want every single reader, especially the women, to feel like a superheroine who can do the thing! And when I say women, I mean my trans sisters and NB friends, too.

2. Since “Where do you get your ideas?” is a terrible question, what made you want to write this book? 

I wanted to write a rom-com with no patriarchy in it. Where the conflict wasn’t one of men vs. women, but woman vs. herself. Yes, Attack of the Rom-Com has a happy ending (whoops, spoiler!) but it’s also a good ending for my heroine, Sophie, on her own. Because we need to be right with ourselves before we can be right with another person. Plus, chicks are awesome.

3. How did you keep writing this book?

As with all my books, I just keep adding ridiculata and feelings until I hit 80,000 words, at which point my cat lays a gentle paw upon my brow and whispers, “You’ve done it again, beautiful mother.”

Making it to “the end” is a feat, and I applaud everyone who manages to write a book. There’s no substitute for butt-in-chair to get it done–you just have to want it enough and love yourself enough to know that people will be excited to read you!

4. Who is this book for, anyway? 

Attack of the Rom-Com is for everyone who loves rom-coms. Or hates rom-coms. It’s a million tropes taken to 11 because rom-coms are fun! ATTACK is for the wise-cracking rom-com sidekick, who basically stars in this book. It is not a haven for Kate Hudson. My heroine would put a rubber snake in Kate’s toilet. (Rubber if she’s lucky…)

5. Any darlings you had to kill?

I’m a lover, not a fighter. Unless you are a praying mantis. I hate praying mantises with their demon eyes and creepy insect hands, ever rubbing, rubbing like Mr. Burns. Yet, I still would not kill one. I would simply jump around screaming until my husband saves me.

There are NO praying mantises in this book. 

6. What are you working on now?

I’m about to hit draft two for a book about betentacled aliens, all natural urine supplements, and magic wishes that turn men pregnant. I’m a very normal person.

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Martti will read from Attack of the Rom-Com, sign copies, and tell stories at The Ripped Bodice in Culver City, California, on September 21. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7, so if you’re in the L.A. area, go tell Martti hello and buy a copy while also supporting a very cool and specialized (romance only!) indie bookstore. (And hey, it’s free.)