How to Fail

I am reading chapter 4 now. I have peed in my pants twice already. LOVE the combinations of food to give to guests to dinnerparties. Oh, I have so much to learn. I'll have your book on my shelf for a L O N G time.
Leelah

Oh this is SO good. MUCH better than reading self-help-books, you're helping us to see what brings us forward by demonstrating what does not. And could it be done better than with humor? I L O O V E this

Leelah - wearing pudding on her face, throwing cheese and screaming AAAH, holding up a nude photo of herself
oh please - I need this book in my hands and in my purse.
And do you know there's a bonafide spiritual path, "failing?" the sacred Fool...

Excruciating and hilarious
Novel in the truest sense of the word
Satire at its best

Great title pulled me right in! What a great concept...and, I might add, wonderfully executed. Shelved for all the wrong reasons...LOL.

HOW TO FAIL
This is a great book: laugh out loud funny. I’ve already done most of the things talked about here: failed to get a promotion, failed at a successful dinner party and how to be a good public speaker . . . and now I know why. Haven’t tried to interfere with Gorongo 6 politics as yet but will keep this handy if that ever becomes a possibility. A small thing: Wollenfailure should have failed at hanging himself because he shot the rope. Good read. Funny Stuff. I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

How to Fail
Shaun Clayton

Delightful and hilarious! Pleasure placing it on my shelf.
(Small nit - the second to last line of your long pitch where you write "based off his words" did you mean to write "based on his words"?) Good luck in finding a publisher Shaun. I enjoyed your writing immensely.
Zan

This is a great idea and is well developed. I love the way you give Phineas a life, friends etc instead of just making him an anonymous author.

I wish you luck with it - it deserves to be out there giving us all a chuckle. Backed.

Cheers
Elaine
(Long Lying Below)

Much needed humor, wonderful pitch! BACKED -Elizabeth Wolfe (Memories of Glory)

This is very witty and I well written. I will back it with pleasure,
M

- Weekend Chimney Sweep
- Sarajevo Walls of Fate

Inspirational and meditative writing here, and you don't drag the reader down into philosophy or self-pity. You have struck up a perfect balance of thoughtful and evocative exposition and explanation.

Backed with pleasure.
Abi xxx

Delightful ! your writing is so clear and very easy to follow.. love the premise and the stories of how to fail are wittily told.. this is a Keeper! Backed and best wishes
Diane
Good Blood

i enjoyed reading this book very much. A great satire of self-help books. Please write more like this one. I am backing this book, please take a read of my book as well. I think you will like it.

Hello Shaun. This is really funny and your voice is perfect. I hope you fail to fail with this. Best of luck! mariecapri (Cosmic Linx)

Dear Shaun -- I skipped about to see if the rest of the book was as entertaining as the first chapter and found to my great delight that your wit carries all through.

One small request: please look at chapter eight where you talk about Bigfoot and repeatedly use "it's" as a possessive, but that is the contraction of "it is"; possessive usage is "its". A small detail in a fine work.

Thank you for the pleasure of reading your tale, and while I do not plan to take any of your advice, I am happy to back your work. -- J and B, The Long Black Veil

I am fortunate to have found two very funny books this morning, definitely not a regular occurrence here on authonomy. This is hilarious, really. I love the character you have created in Phineas T. Wollenfellow, and I like when you step back in Chapter 2 to introduce yourself as a co-author and basically, somewhat rational voice. I almost choked on my water with "Doctors have accused me of naturally secreting 'anti-pheremones'!" You have some great bits here, and your tips to the office worker for failure are classic. Great job.
---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

Fancy a read swap Shaun? If so, please have a look at Parallel Lives, and I will have a gander at How to Fail. All the best, Jon.

This is hilarious. I don't even know where to start. Lightning bugese and the ways in which to fail at public speaking have got to be my favorite bits, but this would make an excellent coffee table book. Still laughing...
Shelved.

Amy
Love Match

excitinger, excellentcior, I love the idea and I want to see it executed well. Seriously there is so much to learn from failures. You have chosen to write Failure for Dummies effectively. What about e sequel?
Failing to sit straight on my shelf, I have put the book on its side.
A Zoomer
Going Out in Style

Awesome read. A different take on self-help and self-destruction. Unique in syle and craft. C W

Hi Shaun,
This is very good indeed. You have a very well judged sense of humour and you use it well within your writing. A very enjoyable read - Shelved.
Good luck,
James (The Lycetta Legacy).

As someone who's never read a self-help book, this is for me. Hysterical and a perfect present for those navel-watchers. Might take them out of themselves a bit. Brilliant. Backed. Lynn

This is funny and so unique - easy to back as it is truly one of a kind here. BACKED with pleasure.

Liz
The Cheech Room

Hilarious! Backed.

I hope you will give mine a read and back it if you like it.
Best,
Robert
Golden Conspiracy

This is definitely a different take on a "self-help" genre! Very funny.

It is on my list to add to my shelf; have several books ahead of yours but look for it in a day or so

Thanks
Denise

Welcome aboard, Shaun. This website will improve your writing craft, if you allow it. You have to think of your pitches as your sales tool to grab the casual reader's eyes. The short pitch works. With the long pitch, break it down into smaller paragraphs so it reads faster. End it with one succinct question to pique interest. Perfecting your pitches is how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel. The writing is good so I am SHELVING you.

Though I have been a very active member for over a year, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Fun, funny and great, backed with plesure. E.Loraine Royal Blood Chronicles book one

There is a lot of very good comedy on authonomy and you will join its ranks very easilly. I wonder though, if the idea will stretch to a whole book? Paula Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

Your book is very amusing. You might find my poetry book 'POEMS FOR WEDDING RECEPTIONS and poems definitely not for wedding receptions' funny too, and you will find my book 'The Remnant' serious, but thought provoking if you give it a serious read. You are backed again.

Dear Shaun, I love all of your tips. :) The 3 tips with the muffins was the best ever. :) Before I began to read your book, I was prepared by your recap/pitch,which was very well done. Your story is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm "backing" your book to help it advance - this will help yours & mine move up on the charts. :) Could you please return the favor by taking a moment to "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :)
p.s. Remember: Every "backing" you do gives your book points & the other person's book. :)

This summed up my past life beautifully I think. LOL

Great writing and funny too.

Happily shelved
Melxx
Impeding Justice,

This is clever, funny and original. While I don't have this particular too much success issue..I can appreciate the humor. Backed it and chuckled.