I wrote an Improv Book

Because of course I did.

Last year I set out to start a series of small books influenced by rap’s mixtape culture. I wanted to produce written mixtapes for easy distribution and consumption. I have come to loathe the corporate capitalist model and decided that in addition to being a writer, I would be my own publisher and producer. I decided to call these small projects Lapbooks, as a nod to Nipsey Hussle’s “run a lap” mentality and for their literal implementation. They’re small so they can ride in your pocket or on your lap.

The first one was about my recently deceased cat, Lemon. It was titled Laps with Lemon, and I published a handful of copies for loved ones and anyone who signed up for an annual subscription to my Substack. You could and still can download it for free here. Again, I took a page from Nipsey Hussle and created a “Proud to Pay” model, something he did for his mixtapes. Make them available for free download, and have a limited number of physical copies for purchase.

It felt really good to make something for me that I could distribute as I saw fit. I was determined to do it again, so I wrote about the only thing in LA that I’ve spent more time with than Lemon: Improv.

The book is called Elevator Farts: Exercises, Offers, and Notes of Encouragement for Improvising. It’s fourteen tracks of what strikes me most about improv. It grew out of my teaching and coaching and running a school and theater, and of course, improvising. It’s got a handful of exercises I have found to be the most useful. It’s got stories about my experience that I hope are encouraging, and it’s got some notions on forms, and some salty ideas about teams and auditions. Most of all, I hope it has something in there for the improviser who feels discouraged or adrift or unseen. If one person reads this book and they find something in it to keep going or to start their journey, even if it’s to prove me wrong, then I will be pretty stoked.

The book arrives June 17th. Same as with Laps with Lemon, if you subscribe to a paid annual subscription to this Substack, I’ll send you a physical copy. This is the number one way to support me.

If you already subscribed, and you’d like a copy, just email me. Though it’s pretty inside improv baseball so be prepared to roll your eyes and go “this it taking all the fun out of something I don’t understand.” You can also pre-order physical copies here through my website until June 5th. After that, physical copies will only be available through the WE Space or if you subscribe to this Substack. Digital copies are available for pre-order through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and hopefully soon Gumroad. Thanks for reading! It means everything to me!