Why Not?

Lessons on Comedy, Courage, and Chutzpah by Mark Schiff Foreword by Jerry Seinfeld

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I am thrilled and excited to announce my new book being published called Why Not? Lessons on Comedy, Courage, and Chutzpah.  The book will be out on November 1, 2022 and is being published by Apollo Publishers in New York.  The book is a collection of more than 50 short essays about my life, the people I’ve met, and the places I’ve been. Preorders are now available. Please see the links below.

Over the years, people have told me how much they identify with my writings. They say they feel as if I’m speaking right to them.  In comedy, the only way a person will laugh is if they identify with what you are talking about.  My hope with Why Not? is that you identify with the essays because they are not just about my life, but rather they are about all our lives.

Someone asked me why I wrote Why Not? Lessons on Comedy, Courage, and Chutzpah. For the past 45 years, I have traveled the world as a standup comedian, helped raise a family, and had many amazing and exciting things happen to me. This book is about that.  Everything from opening the show for over 15 years for Jerry Seinfeld and flying around the world with him to getting to know people like Katharine Hepburn and Anthony Hopkins to having Bob Dylan come over to my house one night to how on the first night I met my wife, we decided we might marry each other to how I lost 50 pounds and have kept the weight off for over a decade to my ongoing and never-ending spiritual journey and to the importance of love and friendship.

Why I wrote Why Not? Lessons on Comedy, Courage, and Chutzpah. If not me, then who? So Why Not order a copy?

Advance praise for Why Not?:

“Starting out in stand-up comedy with Mark Schiff was a blast, and the humor he brought to the stage back then is now between the pages of this book, plus the wisdom you get when you add time.” —Bill Maher, host of Real Time with Bill Maher

Mark’s book is funny, philosophical, and gentle.* And it makes sense because so is Mark. *Not gentile, gentle.” —Colin Quinn, comedian and actor on Saturday Night Live and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn

Mark Schiff knows how to tell a story and Mark Schiff knows how to write a book. I hope this is also an audiobook because nothing lulls me off to sleep more than Mark Schiff reading hilarious stories.” —Kevin Nealon, actor on Saturday Night Live and Weeds

Mark Schiff is one of the funniest comedians I know. We came up together in the New York comedy club scene and he is endlessly entertaining and creative. This book will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you glad you bought it.” —Carol Leifer, comedian, Emmy Award-winning script writer, and producer

“I’ve always loved Schiff’s comedy and really love who he is as a person, especially his kindness. . . . His wonderful book of essays . . . makes you laugh, think, and cry a little, that’s actually something we should all do every day. Reading it made me miss him and appreciate him. I’m calling him right now. Get this book.” —Louie Anderson, comedian and Emmy Award-winning actor on Baskets
 
“The word ‘genius’ is overused, so I won’t use it here. But Mark Schiff’s unique and honest insights on parenthood, childhood, husbandhood, and pet-ownerhood are hilarious without being mean-spirited and sentimental without being mawkish.” —Jeff Astrof, writer, showrunner, and executive producer of The New Adventures of Old Christine, Veronica's Closet, and Trial & Error

“Heart, comedy, soul, insight—a treasure chest of wonderful moments awaits all who open these pages.” —David Sacks, writer and producer of Final Space, The Simpsons, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and Murphy Brown

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Buy the book Here!