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Finding Your Comic Genius: An in-depth guide to the art of stand-up comedy
This is possibly the most advanced book ever written about stand-up comedy. It will be extremely useful to anyone who already performs stand-up, regardless of their experience. Since 17 of the 32 chapters are dedicated to writing material, it will also be beneficial to anyone who's thinking about doing stand-up for the first time or does any form of public speaking.
Adam Bloom is a multi-award-winning comedian who has ghostwritten for over 50 of his peers and is finally sharing all of his writing methods and theories on the art of stand-up comedy.
“He’s been one of my favourite stand-ups for about ten years”
Ricky Gervais
"No one on Earth knows more about stand-up comedy than Adam Bloom"
Jim Jefferies
“Adam Bloom is the right person for this job as he writes some of the best jokes I’ve ever heard”
Harry Hill
“Adam explains things about comedy I didn't even realise”
Rich Hall
Adam Bloom is a multi-award-winning comedian who has ghostwritten for over 50 of his peers and is finally sharing all of his writing methods and theories on the art of stand-up comedy.
“He’s been one of my favourite stand-ups for about ten years”
Ricky Gervais
"No one on Earth knows more about stand-up comedy than Adam Bloom"
Jim Jefferies
“Adam Bloom is the right person for this job as he writes some of the best jokes I’ve ever heard”
Harry Hill
“Adam explains things about comedy I didn't even realise”
Rich Hall
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2023
202 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 28, 2023
This book has been a total revelation for me, and reminded me why I love stand-up, and why I started doing it in the first place.
It has put into words things I was vaguely aware of but hadn't properly considered, particularly about joke structure, but also introduced tons of brand new ideas and methods of writing. A serious reading of this book will help you realise things which might otherwise have taken YEARS to figure out - as it took Adam.
I have done 11 stand-up gigs. All (except one) had gone reasonably well. But I was making mistakes I didn't realise - blaming audiences for not getting things, including material which wasn't actually in my voice but worked, and putting almost no thought into my persona, style, or image.
In the week since I started reading this I discarded almost everything from my normal 10 minutes and either rewritten or replaced it with brand new, better material - and I definitely won't be alone. I feel like early on into doing stand-up is an ideal time to read this book, so I feel incredibly lucky it has come out now. This book will come to be considered the bible of stand-up comedy, and should be read by anyone who is serious about writing and performing well.
It has put into words things I was vaguely aware of but hadn't properly considered, particularly about joke structure, but also introduced tons of brand new ideas and methods of writing. A serious reading of this book will help you realise things which might otherwise have taken YEARS to figure out - as it took Adam.
I have done 11 stand-up gigs. All (except one) had gone reasonably well. But I was making mistakes I didn't realise - blaming audiences for not getting things, including material which wasn't actually in my voice but worked, and putting almost no thought into my persona, style, or image.
In the week since I started reading this I discarded almost everything from my normal 10 minutes and either rewritten or replaced it with brand new, better material - and I definitely won't be alone. I feel like early on into doing stand-up is an ideal time to read this book, so I feel incredibly lucky it has come out now. This book will come to be considered the bible of stand-up comedy, and should be read by anyone who is serious about writing and performing well.
December 27, 2025
The best technical and pragmatic book I’ve read on Standup comedy. One to reread and reference over and over as there’s tons of wisdom here.
October 17, 2025
A very thorough and detailed book on stand-up / comedy writing and performing that came with lots of recommendations and managed to (mostly) live up to them. It’s helpful and interesting, and if you’re at all interested in this topic, well worth a read.
The only slight challenge with it is that the author clearly understands the value of editing, as he talks about it several times. He talks about how to use that skill to help focus words and sentences to have more impact. Great. However, several times I found myself thinking the author wasn’t practising what he was preaching. Some chapters ramble, and overall, the book feels longer than it needs to be.
With a tighter edit, this could have been a brilliant read. But if it can’t hold your attention all the way through, then it’s more of a very good read. It also didn’t help that the organisation of the chapters feels a little disjointed at times - they don't always naturally flow well together.
But I feel like I’m nitpicking a little here, as apart from these small niggles, there's a lot to like. 31 chapters + a bonus chapter with the learned wisdom of a very experienced and capable comedian.
I really enjoyed how it went into forensic levels of detail around joke structure and building (on a level I've only come across in one other book, and that was more about writing in general than humour specifically). It makes you rethink whatever you thought about how jokes actually work.
It shares lots of examples, both good and bad, plus lots of stories of the author’s experiences as a performer.
Though I bought this as I wanted to learn more about using humour as a way to communicate and connect, I came away with lots of other helpful insights and ideas too. Really good read for anyone with a sense of humour and interest in comedy, and the type of book you’d come back to again for future inspiration and ideas.
The only slight challenge with it is that the author clearly understands the value of editing, as he talks about it several times. He talks about how to use that skill to help focus words and sentences to have more impact. Great. However, several times I found myself thinking the author wasn’t practising what he was preaching. Some chapters ramble, and overall, the book feels longer than it needs to be.
With a tighter edit, this could have been a brilliant read. But if it can’t hold your attention all the way through, then it’s more of a very good read. It also didn’t help that the organisation of the chapters feels a little disjointed at times - they don't always naturally flow well together.
But I feel like I’m nitpicking a little here, as apart from these small niggles, there's a lot to like. 31 chapters + a bonus chapter with the learned wisdom of a very experienced and capable comedian.
I really enjoyed how it went into forensic levels of detail around joke structure and building (on a level I've only come across in one other book, and that was more about writing in general than humour specifically). It makes you rethink whatever you thought about how jokes actually work.
It shares lots of examples, both good and bad, plus lots of stories of the author’s experiences as a performer.
Though I bought this as I wanted to learn more about using humour as a way to communicate and connect, I came away with lots of other helpful insights and ideas too. Really good read for anyone with a sense of humour and interest in comedy, and the type of book you’d come back to again for future inspiration and ideas.
April 23, 2024
I've been doing stand up for two years, and I found this book just at the right time. Now that I'm not afraid of getting on stage, understand the structure of jokes (premise + punchline = surprise), and can do decent crowd work, I was looking for something that could help take my comedy to the next level. And this book might end up being a spring board for just that!
Some of the concepts that Adam explains - making see-saws i.e. avoiding a pause right in the middle of a joke, popping the balloon (joke) just at the right time, improving the flow of jokes, when applied should help anyone improve their existing material. Apart from this, the book also made me question the bigger things - about my style, persona, wether I'm high status or low. I'm still not sure about my style/persona - I tend to do a mix of cerebral and crude jokes, but I'm still discovering myself on stage.
Another great thing about this book is that it made me realise the importance of details that I would tend to ignore earlier - even how I hold the microphone can give the audience an idea about my persona. I also never cared about avoiding boom mic moments as long as I was getting a laugh, but I need to change that if I have to stop coming off as an amateur.
One last thing, I think it's important to make notes while reading this book. That's how one can ever hope to actually absorb these techniques. In fact I'll have to re-read it multiple times and apply these techniques until they become a reflex. Which is what I did when I had to learn how to write misdirection jokes for the first time.
Thank you for this gem of a book of Adam!
Some of the concepts that Adam explains - making see-saws i.e. avoiding a pause right in the middle of a joke, popping the balloon (joke) just at the right time, improving the flow of jokes, when applied should help anyone improve their existing material. Apart from this, the book also made me question the bigger things - about my style, persona, wether I'm high status or low. I'm still not sure about my style/persona - I tend to do a mix of cerebral and crude jokes, but I'm still discovering myself on stage.
Another great thing about this book is that it made me realise the importance of details that I would tend to ignore earlier - even how I hold the microphone can give the audience an idea about my persona. I also never cared about avoiding boom mic moments as long as I was getting a laugh, but I need to change that if I have to stop coming off as an amateur.
One last thing, I think it's important to make notes while reading this book. That's how one can ever hope to actually absorb these techniques. In fact I'll have to re-read it multiple times and apply these techniques until they become a reflex. Which is what I did when I had to learn how to write misdirection jokes for the first time.
Thank you for this gem of a book of Adam!
May 30, 2025
As a working comedian, I can say with full confidence that there is a clear “before and after” reading Finding Your Comic Genius. Adam Bloom doesn’t just give tips—he changes the way you see and do stand-up. The ideas in here are so strong, they can’t be ignored. Once you read it, you won’t approach comedy the same way again.
Personally, I felt exactly like Adam says:
“Looking back, it feels like I crossed a busy street blindfolded, wearing earplugs, and somehow I managed to get to the other side without being hit.”
That’s what doing stand-up felt like before this book—stumbling through it with instinct and luck. Now, I have structure, clarity, and a deeper understanding of what makes comedy work.
This isn’t just a book—it’s a wake-up call for anyone serious about stand-up.
P.S.: I’ve read it three times already.
Personally, I felt exactly like Adam says:
“Looking back, it feels like I crossed a busy street blindfolded, wearing earplugs, and somehow I managed to get to the other side without being hit.”
That’s what doing stand-up felt like before this book—stumbling through it with instinct and luck. Now, I have structure, clarity, and a deeper understanding of what makes comedy work.
This isn’t just a book—it’s a wake-up call for anyone serious about stand-up.
P.S.: I’ve read it three times already.
December 20, 2024
It’s an unusual and interesting book but really aimed at people that do stand up comedy. As a story writer I found some of it useful especially the bits about punch lines. The problem for me was that he waffled too much and goes into extreme detail to make his point. I know it’s not an exact science so surely you don’t need to make it so complicated. Having said that this book is not for beginners and he is trying to improve your joke writing and make it that bit better.
For me writing humour is just something you can bring in naturally. If you have to think about it too hard it probably won’t be funny or worth the effort but then I’m not a stand up comedian .
For me writing humour is just something you can bring in naturally. If you have to think about it too hard it probably won’t be funny or worth the effort but then I’m not a stand up comedian .
October 6, 2023
One of the Best Books Ever Written about Standup Comedy!
I loved absolutely Adam's book but I've been doing standup for a living for 36 years. As incredibly well written, easy to understand and practicle as this book is, I would recommend it to intermediate and advanced comedians who make a living at standup before I'd recommend it to beginners or amateurs who are just starting out. In other words: Yes, green belts in karate can benefit from some of the lessons needed to earn a fourth-degree black belt but it's best if they at least earn their first-degree black belt first.
I loved absolutely Adam's book but I've been doing standup for a living for 36 years. As incredibly well written, easy to understand and practicle as this book is, I would recommend it to intermediate and advanced comedians who make a living at standup before I'd recommend it to beginners or amateurs who are just starting out. In other words: Yes, green belts in karate can benefit from some of the lessons needed to earn a fourth-degree black belt but it's best if they at least earn their first-degree black belt first.
Read
January 26, 2024I'm speaking as a linguist: what a goldmine of extremely useful data for the theory of humour!
I really liked those discoveries, it is essential for sociolinguistics and pragmatics.
I would only liked it more if the definitions were more defined. We have a plethora of great examples, but as an academic, I require more formal definitions. Also, it's not a good practice to name phenomena with metaphors.
Nevertheless, this book should interest anyone studying humour and comedy.
I really liked those discoveries, it is essential for sociolinguistics and pragmatics.
I would only liked it more if the definitions were more defined. We have a plethora of great examples, but as an academic, I require more formal definitions. Also, it's not a good practice to name phenomena with metaphors.
Nevertheless, this book should interest anyone studying humour and comedy.
March 2, 2024
Although this is only the second book I’ve read on comedy, the lessons within are invaluable. This book could easily be called “Comedy Mechanics” because the techniques explained act as a tune up for your material. It was nice to see the contrast between Breaking Conedy’s DNA and Finding Your Comic Genius. Whereas the former explained of humor works, the latter explains how to refine your material so it can achieve its full potential. Thank you Adam Bloom.
September 17, 2023
For anyone trying to perform stage up comedy, this is an amazingly inspiring guide to writing and telling jokes. Bloom gives you a huge toolbox to improve your routine. Learning all his methods means you'll always have something to apply to a joke you've written, whether it's word smuggling, tenting or zooing.
January 12, 2024
An absolute game changer if you're a stand-up. Adam not only makes you reflect on things you've never previously thought about, but he articulates things that you've always known but would never be able to put into words. I was inspired to write pages and pages after finishing my first read. Invaluable.
December 7, 2023
I have never read a book on stand-up quite like it. To me, it feels like Adam has lifted up the curtain and revealed the very mechanisms of stand-up itself, not to reduce comedy to an easy equation, but to help us understand this art and how we might express it better as comics.
September 11, 2024
Can't ask for more out of a book on doing stand up comedy. Engaging, authentic, relevant, and explores all corners of the art. Get on it if you're a comic of any level. The worst that can happen is you'll have better vocabulary to express what you've learnt through the doing.
June 21, 2025
The ultimate handbook for comedians. So much advice on the nuts and bolts of writing jokes while rounding out the instructions with performance tips as well. Certainly a book I’ll be re-reading for a long time, probably my whole comedy career.
October 17, 2023
I've read a few books in this area. This is genuinely original, and contains all sorts of gems. A must-read.
May 19, 2024
This book is the most forensic book about stand up comedy I've read. Its full of the best advice and approaches for budding stand up comedians. Highly recommended indeed
June 18, 2024
Stand up comedy masterclass
Beneficial to stand up comedians who are trying to dip their toes and who's been doing it for a while
Beneficial to stand up comedians who are trying to dip their toes and who's been doing it for a while
July 2, 2024
I've been doing comedy for 10 years now. I've read quite many books since I also teach stans up -comedy. This is THE BOOK. Amazing! Mindblowing! If you are a comedian make sure you read this book ☺️
August 6, 2024
Brilliant, I enjoy this type of nuts & bolts fine-tuning for developing stronger stand-up comedy material.
September 16, 2024
One of the very best books to read about the subject. Definitely a keeper for any comic or want to be comedy writer.
Very practical and insightful. Gets you out of your head and on paper.
Very practical and insightful. Gets you out of your head and on paper.
October 19, 2024
Bloom's analysis is hard-core. He has many ideas I have not seen expressed in other books on comedy writing.
January 21, 2025
If you are just starting this just sucks. I think greg deans step by step joke writing is better.
January 5, 2024
I've written stand up for 15 years. I've read a ton of books about it. I've listened to hundreds of hours of podcasts about it and hosted 70 hours worth of talk about comedy writing myself, too. I've written jokes for Finnish TV for living for years.
Still, after all that immersion in stand up theory, this book surprised me. The book introduced concepts that I instinctively knew, but didn't have a word for them or the realization what I was doing when applying these ideas subconsciously. For example, the ideas of seesaw, cube/ball, boom mic moments, and word smuggling were absolute gold. I don't know whether the writer coined all of these terms, but I hadn't heard those names before.
This is not a book explaining the basics. There are a million of those already. This is a book on how to make good stuff great. Bloom has written the best thing I've read about comedy ever, and that's saying a lot.
Still, after all that immersion in stand up theory, this book surprised me. The book introduced concepts that I instinctively knew, but didn't have a word for them or the realization what I was doing when applying these ideas subconsciously. For example, the ideas of seesaw, cube/ball, boom mic moments, and word smuggling were absolute gold. I don't know whether the writer coined all of these terms, but I hadn't heard those names before.
This is not a book explaining the basics. There are a million of those already. This is a book on how to make good stuff great. Bloom has written the best thing I've read about comedy ever, and that's saying a lot.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews