How I F*cking Did It: From Moving Elves to Making Over Six-Figures on the Internet and You Can Too

by Jen Mann

"Jen Mann talking me through the process of putting out STORIES I'D TELL IN BARS is the reason it sold more copies the first week than any of my traditionally published books. (And the only parts that went off the rails were the parts where I didn't heed her advice.)" - Jen Lancaster, New York Times bestselling author Ever heard of someone making over six-figures from writing on the internet? Don't believe it can be true? Read the true story of Jen Mann, the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning blogger behind People I Want to Punch in the Throat. Jen Mann went from a small blogger with only seventy readers to an overnight internet sensation when a viral post on her blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat was read over one million times in one day. Read about how Jen took that one opportunity and turned it into the career she'd always dreamed of having. Through luck, hard work, a lot of f-bombs, and even a few mistakes Jen went on to grow her social media to over one million followers, sell over 200,000 books, give over one hundred speeches, and make over six-figures writing on the internet. Learn about Jen's journey from snarky suburban mom toiling in her basement to partnerships with world-famous ad agencies who pick her brain, and well-known brands who want her help selling their products, to Hollywood who thinks she should be her own television show. Jen brings her authentic and real tell-it-like-it-is style to this book. Jen is known for her dedication to helping other writers succeed and she will give you all her advice and tell you the real deal. She will show you exactly how she did it and how you can too! She calls How I F*cking Did It half how-to, half inspiration, and half get-it-done. (Yeah, math is not her strong suit.)

Genres: Nonfiction

196 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2019

About the author

Jen Mann of People I Want to Punch in the Throat is the hilarious author of the New York Times best seller, People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges and Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat. She also contributes to and publishes the New York Times best selling I Just Want to Pee Alone series of books. Her books are inspired by her immensely popular blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat. Jen lives in Kansas with the Hubs and her two children, Gomer and Adolpha - no, those aren't their real names, their real names are actually worse. Jen spends her free time crafting and volunteering with the PTO. Seriously.

You can purchase her books here: http://amzn.to/QSie2T

Reviews

[Rosa Hallenbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

She did it again...and again

She tells it like it is with no holds barred, no unnecessary censorship and with total honesty. I will read everything you write, so...go write.

[Michelle Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarous and full of great information.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful book for writers wishing to publish books. Gives practical advice in all areas of writing and publishing.

[John Marszalkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book of instructions for what to do after you write something that goes viral.
It's also about getting yourself into a position to have that window of opportunity. The key ingredient is getting/making something popular and capitalizing on it.

The general takeaway of the book is:
Stop talking about it and start consistently making honest content that you want to make and are confidently familiar with. Put yourself out there and if you get lucky, take advantage of it. Learn basic marketing, ask for help, learn from mistakes, and keep working hard.

Jen Mann wrote How I F*cking Did It: From Moving Elves to Making Over Six-Figures on the Internet and You Can Too as a blunt wake up call for any aspiring authors who thought the days of high school popularity contests were long behind them. You have to put the work in AND cross your fingers that people who will like you will find you.

[Chrissy Woj · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you know Jen Mann, you know she's not flowery, sugar-coated inspiration. She's get-off your-ass-and-do-it inspiration (but you know, nice about it). Which is exactly what I needed when I read this book. It was a fast read, but full of really useful information that I am already implementing in my own life and goals. I got a lot out of and I think anyone in the creative field who just can't sit in an office (and even those who can!) will benefit from this book.

[Glynis Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still remember seeing “People I Want To Punch In The Throat” at my local bookstore, years ago, and wondering if I could do what Jen had done. This is the book that will give you the answers, if you wondered the same thing as me. Honestly the best purchase I’ve made in ages.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I totally adore this author, this book was geared more as a how to become a writer than just her usual essays about life. I enjoy her stories that are peppered in and, since I am not planning on becoming a writer, this was not the perfect fit for me. It was still a great piece of work.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure how I landed on this book but the title grabbed me and I ordered it on prime and it pulled me in. I’m not a follower of Jenn (yet) but all
aspiring authors and online entrepreneurs crave a success story. Showing up and taking action on a daily basis is HARD and Jenn’s story of persistence paying off is one this girl needed to hear after 4 years of trial and error. I loved her post going viral story- yes please! I dog earred many pages and left with some questions for Jenn. Maybe I can presell tix to 25 friends to get her to visit my posse in ATL! I will check out her other books and social sites as I do have my own list of people I’d like to punch in the throat.

[Monica Gokey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen Mann's biggest service to up-and-coming writers might be how she reverse-engineers her success, and shares what worked, why it worked, and how others can replicate it (...and also, what didn't work.) How I F*ing Did It is the writing book for people who will never get an MFA, but who still dream of doing the writing hustle as an income-generating part of their lives. I especially loved the author's take on self-publishing versus traditional publishing (she's done both) -- and what she learned. All of it was invaluable advice. Highly recommended!

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining, relatable, and full of practical advice!
This book is a must-have for writers looking for direction in how to reach their goals. Jen Mann discusses her journey to becoming a best-selling author and details all the steps she took along the way. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put this down! You will laugh at her blunt humor, you will learn from her experiences, and you will finish this book with a refreshed motivation to follow your own writing dreams! It is just what I needed.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen Mann is the snarky hero I've always wanted. I'm in the process of "f*cking doing it" and some days are just overwhelming. This book is a breath of fresh air, and our own personal cheerleading section from one of my favorite writers. What could be better? Not only did Jen write this book, I have it on good authority she is always willing to give fellow writers encouragement and a leg up. I want to be her when I grow up, even though I'm pretty sure I'm older than she is and have no plans to grow up. Much like my book, I'm a work in progress. Thanks for the inspiration, Jen!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m giving this book 5 stars for a few reasons.
I’m not a writer or a blogger. I didn’t need to know all of the information in this book but now that I’m educated on the ins and outs, Jen deserves a 5 star review. This book is motivational, full of great information and most of all hilarious and honest. Jen Mann is one of my favorite Jen(n)’s in the world and I recommend you read this book if you are looking for information on being a writer or if you don’t. I’m taking some of these bullet points and applying them to my everyday life!

[Nicole Norton Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I downloaded this book the day it came out, because I was super curious to hear all of Mann's "secrets." It did not disappoint.

If you're interested in taking your blog/online writing career to the next level by publishing a book, this title is going to tell you things that worked for Mann AND things that didn't. I guarantee that you'll walk away feeling more confident about the future than you did before reading it.

[TheBookishVA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome F*cking Boom


As a new writer, and a mother this book resonates with me on so many levels. It's sharp, witty and highly entertaining. Jen is someone I'd love to grab a beer and just bitch about life with. Highly recommend. If you are an author or aspiring author get this book!

[Angela Scofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is real and funny. It is also a how to for writers. Why the check is the requirement to review 20 words?

This book is real and funny. It is also a how to for writers. My favorite books from her are Working with People I Want to Punch in the Throat and Spending the Holidays. I liked the YA book My Lame Life.

[Jen Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often that we get a behind-the-scenes account of how a blogger managed to make six-figures and become a best-selling author. This is a humous, but practical, guide for those who want to make a living as a writer. You won't be disappointed!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read everything Jen has written but this one is my favourite by far. If you’ve ever thought about exploring your own writing talent or wondered how to get your voice out there this book is for you. It’s honest, funny and very informative. Highly recommend.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone wanting to publish anything!

How many of you are out there full of great ideas and don’t know where to turn? Well quit your whining because this book is going to give you the GPS coordinates to success. Read this book and start writing.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, enjoyable & easy read

I know so many women who've told me they want to write a book. Jen's journey to being an author is not a template you can take for your own success, but it's brimming with great advice, lessons learned and inspiration to write for the right reasons... YOUR reasons. This is a quick easy read, totally worth it ifn you've been curious about how some of the brilliant authors you read get started and keep going.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leaving a review solely because it was hinted that the author might ask me to at the end, and she did.

4 stars solely because of all the typos. As far as readability, I couldn’t put this book down! It was exactly what I needed.

[Karen Gruen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest and funny account of how the author went from a blogger (with a viral post about Elf on the Shelf), to a bestselling author and speaker. Helpful and funny.

[Michelle P]

Funny! And real.

[Becky Blades · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the pep talk I needed. If you write and promote your work, Jen is the coach and role model you've been waiting for.