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6 Important Writerly Questions with “Andrew Munge”

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

I’m Andrew Munge, pickup artist, penman, poet, pioneer and person. Most of all I’m the author of GETTING THE GIRL, Humorist Media’s BIGGEST selling book. My mission? To make men more mannish, mainly. On my book tour thus far I’ve met leagues of men who can’t talk to women, are scared of their dad, and don’t know how to fight (I do). I’m here to save MANkind. Ladies, you’re welcome.

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

I’ll answer the first question.

I don’t know.

3. How did you keep writing this book?

It kept writing me. There are so many beta boys and semi men who struggle to navigate women that I had to author GETTING THE GIRL (Humorist Media’s BIGGEST selling book) to help them. Whenever I got writer’s block or writer’s elbow I would harken back to young Munge and ponder how he could have used this book. It breaks my heart to remember nine year old me, getting ready for my first date. Sadie Wart had invited me over to her house after school (I can still hear her say “don’t forget your N64!”) I put so much effort into getting ready, dressing in my church clothes, plucking my unibrow, and massaging shampoo into my skin so I wouldn’t stink. Dressed to the tens, I carefully carried my N64 in its original box – including four controllers, all with rumble packs, and my best games – over to Sadie’s. I couldn’t wait to finally play it with another child. When I arrived I was impressed at how many cars her family owned, only to discover it was actually Sadie’s birthday party and wasn’t a date at all. I was emotionally devastated, but endeavored to make the best of my plight, setting up my N64 and welcoming my new friends to play. Sadie then immediately asked me to leave and I walked home alone in the snow. Sadie promised to give my N64 back (I’d saved up all my allowance/nana inheritance to buy it) but the very next day her family moved to Africa. It was my worst birthday ever (it was my birthday too) and then my other nana died. That’s how I kept writing.

4. Who is this book for, anyway? 

I feel I’ve already answered this but I’ll reiterate my point to boost our word count, thus the amount of advertising space you can sell. GETTING THE GIRL is for men who struggle to approach females. With my trademark TECHNIQUES readers will learn how to talk to females, how to date them and mate them. However, it’s more than just a pickup book, it’s a lifestyle guide, a non-religious Bible, an instruction manual on becoming a better, stronger, taller person. You can achieve anything, like how I made GETTING THE GIRL Humorist Media’s BIGGEST selling book. Even the publishers told me it couldn’t be done, that my book would never be so BIG, so this book is for every man who needs to hear he can do great things.

Women might like it too.

5. Any darlings you had to kill?

When I was five we had a cat called Darling. We had to put her down for being too old, but the poison didn’t work and Darling came back for a few seconds, screaming then vomiting then dying again. I had nightmares for years but now I never even think about it and don’t care and it doesn’t bother me. Now when I remember it I just laugh. I don’t care. What does this have to do with the book?

6. What are you working on now?

Finishing my newest book which I’ve been writing for two years. It tells the true tale of tracking down my father, reconciling with him, making him say sorry, and learning from him how to be a father myself. The book will be finished once I actually find my father.

But all that is for the future. Right now I can enjoy being Humorist Media’s BIGGEST selling book. They said it wouldn’t happen, but today I’m proud to reveal the dimensions of my book stand at 8.5 by 11 inches, making it BIGGER than any of the company’s other selling books. Originally I wanted GETTING THE GIRL to be the size of a fat atlas but the publishers wore me down. Even now they’re talking about making it “standard” size, but I’m sure that won’t happen.

Anyway, I have to go as my writer’s elbow is leaking.

Getting the Girl (a real book) by “Andrew Munge” (not a real person, thank heavens) is available now.

6 Important Writerly Questions with Mike Reiss

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Yes. That Mike Reiss.
If you’re a comedy nerd, you know exactly who Reiss is. He’s been writing and producing for The Simpsons for more than three decades. Not only has he helped shape the greatest television show and comedic entity of all-time, but he’s a de facto architect of modern comedy.
It’s pretty exciting then that Humorist Books is publishing Reiss’s new and very funny book, What Am I Doing Here? A Simpsons Writer Visits the World’s Hellholes So You Don’t Have To. Based on the podcast of the same name, What Am I Doing Here? is a collection of comical essays about Reiss’s extensive world travels, accompanied by pictures taken by his wife and collaborator, Denise Reiss. But this isn’t like all the other travel books. As heavily implied by that subtitle, the Reisses by and large travel to places most would consider anonymous, dangerous, and just plain not fun. Why? That’s the nature of wanderlust, and also, they got a great book out of it.
Here, let’s let Mike Reiss explain it.
1.Who are you? What are you doing here?

I’m Mike Reiss.  I’ve been writing for The Simpsons for 35 years. But in my spare time I travel. I’ve been to 134 countries.  Not by choice. I love my wife and she loves to travel, so I’ve literally followed her to the ends of the earth.

I’ve been to Iran, Iraq, the North Pole, the South Pole, Chernobyl – these are my vacations.   I’ve even been to North Korea – that’s the scary Korea! It’s all in my new travel book called “What Am I doing Here?” It’s fast, it’s funny, and it’s factual… enough.  You’ll hear how I was robbed in Rio, kidnapped in Honduras, dangled from a cliff in Pakistan, and chased by a lady with a meat cleaver, again in Honduras. I had a lot of problems in Honduras.

I visit all the world’s hotspots and hellholes, so you don’t have to.  You’re welcome.

2. Since “Where do you get your ideas?” is a terrible question, what made you want to write this book? 
I’d written a best-selling Simpsons memoir Springfield Confidential, and as a follow-up I decided to write about the other side of my life: dangerous world travel.  It’s a travel book, but in Simpsons style: fast, funny, irreverent, and with none of the boring parts.  Plus, there’s pictures!  No matter how crazy a story is, I have a photo to back it up!
3. How did you keep writing this book?
While I was working on the book, the Titan submarine imploded on its dive to the Titanic.  And I had seen the Titanic on that very sub a year before.  Suddenly I had a story the world wanted to hear.  It’s surprisingly funny and ends the book.
4. Who is this book for, anyway? 
It’s for anyone who wants a funny book, first and foremost.  You can also learn a lot about the world, stuff no other travel book has the nerve to say.  Like Iran is fun.  And the Northern Lights suck.
5. Any darlings you had to kill?
No, I I just set aside all my lesser travel stories for a second book.
6. What are you working on now?
What Am I Doing Here 2: The Cash Grab.

6 Important Writerly Questions with Lance Hansen

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Lance Hansen, by Lance Hansen

I’m madly jealous of Lance Hansen, and I’m only exaggerating a little bit. I can do a lot of things fairy well, most of the them involving artistic pursuits and the creation and manipulation of words, but I’m always deeply impressed with people who can ad lib a quick, structured poem — particularly a pointed, humorous one — and anybody who can draw. Well, would you get a load of this guy? This Lance Hansen? He can do both of those things, and extremely well. Fortunately, for literally everyone, he’s decided to not keep those gifts to himself, and, after gracing Mad, The Nation, and American Bystander with his work, he’s published his first book with Humorist Books. That book is Limerature 101: Literary Classics in Five Lines or Less (With Pictures).

So, he’s taken the entirety of the history of literature, picked out a few dozen classics, and broken each one down into a hilarious, lightly critical summary-meets-review, and accompanied each one with an original illustrated portrait of the author. Check out a few spreads right here. Hansen recently took a break from his busy schedule of casual excellence to sit down and answer some questions about his life, his work, and everything (else).

1. Who are you? What are you doing here?
My name is Lance Hansen. I am a cartoonist and writer of light verse. I have a new book out called Limerature 101.
2. Since “Where do you get your ideas?” is a terrible question, what made you want to write this book? 
I started writing these poems while I was at work. I guess was trying to keep my mind off of the state of the world, back in the beginning of the pandemic.
3. How did you keep writing this book?
Out of desperation.
4. Who is this book for, anyway? 
Hmm. Bookworms? Lit majors? Librarians? Hopefully, a lot of people.
5. Any darlings you had to kill?
Well, not really.  There was one version of one of the limericks that maybe could’ve been a bit offensive, that I kinda liked, but after discussing it with the publisher and the editor, we decided to use the one that’s in the book (which I liked also). I’m usually pretty open to editing suggestions and I try not to get too attached.
6. What are you working on now?
I’m working on a graphic novel. It’s a biography of German photomontage artist, social critic and satirist, John Heartfield.  The book is a collaboration with the artist’s grandson, John M Heartfield. I’m also a staff artist at The American Bystander.
Limerature 101: Literary Classics in Five Lines or Less (With Pictures), by Lance Hansen. Go get it then.

5 Important Writerly Questions with Brandon Hicks

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The trilogy…is complete! With The History of Human Achievement, cartoonist, humorist, and cartoons editor Brandon Hicks has finished his hilarious triptych of dark and delightful not-quite-for-children-children’s-books starring lowly demons Beezle, Buzzle, and Barb. It’s available right now, so let’s get to know Brandon and his book a little bit more.
1. Who are you? What are you doing here?
My name is Brandon Hicks. I’m a writer/cartoonist. Since that’s my job title, I’m here for the free food.
2. Since “Where do you get your ideas?” is a terrible question, what made you want to write this book? 
 
I’ll have to blame Humorist publisher, Marty Dundics, here. Back in 2020, he asked me if I could transmute these paper towel cartoons I was doing into a short picture book. He was looking for something with original characters we could build a series around. So, after our call, I went to the park with my notebook, sketched up some demons and developed the concepts behind all three books in a single sitting. I’m hoping this one doesn’t sell well, because I haven’t had a good idea since.
3. How did you keep writing this book?
 
Pure hubris. I thought we had a concept that could support an entire series, and I was bound and determined to see it through. Three books later, I feel more like I’m bound and gagged. 
 
4. Any darlings you had to kill?
There was once a fourth demon, actually, but we carved him up at the Humorist Books Xmas Party back in ’21. I believe you had the right hoof, didn’t you? I had the tail, of course. Author’s privilege.
5. What are you working on now?
Myself, mostly. I’m just one surgery away from attaining that perfect Joan Rivers look. In terms of books, though, I’m currently finishing up “Go South,” a novel in pictures about a bird who breaks his wing and has to migrate on foot, which should come out later this year.  I also have a collection of journal comics called On The Border, which will be released by Conundrum Press in 2024. Is it okay to promote other publishers here? I also like Knopf, Scholastic, and Hustler, for the record.

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.)