Publish This Book: The Unbelievable True Story of How I Wrote, Sold and Published This Very Book

by Stephen Markley

From the author of Ohio (Best Books of Summer 2018 Selection in Time , Vulture , and the New York Post ) comes a brilliant, hilarious, and deeply touching memoir that blows the roof off the genre. Fed up with the complicated quest of trying to get a book published, Stephen Markley decided to cut to the chase and simply write a memoir about trying to publish a book―this book, to be precise. It's the most "meta" experiment he's ever untaken, and like a Mobius strip in book form, the concept is circular, self-indulgent, and―maybe, possibly, hopefully―brilliant. For fans of Dave Eggers and David Sedaris, Publish This Book is the modern day saga of an idealistic, ambitious, audacious, unyielding young writer who is tired of waiting his turn. Like any work that claims gleefully to be about nothing, it's really about pretty much everything―sex, drugs, politics, pop-culture, ex-girlfriends and sexy vampires. From the hope of early adulthood to the rage of life's many (unavoidable) disappointments, it is a story of overcoming the obstacles and discovering a happy ending at last. Most importantly, it's a story that will inspire readers to find their true voice in their work and in their life. Praise for Stephen "Markley seems clever and funny, but it may be his "fire" that ultimately makes him worthwhile." ― Literary Chicago "Compelling, emotionally resonant passages . . ." ― Publishers Weekly "Markley is a knockout storyteller" ― Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Biography, Writing

480 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2010

About the author

Stephen Markley's debut novel "Ohio" will be published in August of 2018 by Simon and Schuster.

Markley is the author of the memoir "Publish This Book: The Unbelievable True Story of How I Wrote, Sold, and Published This Very Book" (2010) and the travelogue "Tales of Iceland."

His work has appeared in Paste Magazine, Slate.com, The Iowa Review, Chicago's RedEye, The Week, The Chicago Tribune, The Rumpus, Weber: A Study of the Contemporary West, and the Chicago Reader. He’s also the author of the e-reader short "The Great Dysmorphia: An Epistemological View of Ingesting Hallucinogenic Mushrooms at a 2012 Republican Presidential Debate."

Reviews

[Amar Pai · Rating 1 out of 5]

UGH can't believe I purchased this. It's a book length version of a shitty high school paper that starts out, "The topic of this paper is procrastination. In this paper I will discuss how much I procrastinated while writing this paper. Where to begin. Well, Webster's Dictionary defines procrastination as..."

So like a bad term paper, except it's a $15 book!! Which I paid for! Why? Cos the title made me laugh? Is that all it takes? (Answer: yes-- see also: "My Booky Wook")

You have to admire the sheer gall of this guy. I admit, he got one over on me. I feel like I just got fleeced by a 3-card monte dealer.

Ooh but-- Amazon returns! Yes. I think this book is so bad I'm actually going to return it

Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Markley

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you:

1. are chasing your dreams
2. went to miami university
3. live in chicago
4. remember what its like to have an impossible love
5. or you simply enjoy laughter

then, by god, this is the book for you.

[Georgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge, funny help to anyone trying to get published

[Erin Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a love/love relationship with this book, and not just saying so because Markley happens to be my friend.

Markley has crafted a story that will have you laughing, crying, and laughing until you cry, from the "back cover copy" through the acknowledgments. This story is hauntingly relevant to anyone who has ever been passionate about anything. Markley's voice puts a tangible weight to the nostalgia we all feel for both our past and for our as-yet-untold future. I enjoyed reading this book so much that I didn't want it to end- a true testimony to a book whose very existence gives away the ending. I wasn't reading on to find out WHAT happened; rather, I was reading to find out HOW things happened. I will continue to recommend this book to my twenty-something peers and beyond.

[Jacqui Hencsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this book so far. Completely has me in stitches. I can't wait to get to the end, even if I know the brilliantly happy ending that this book is published and will be available in any book store very soon. Cool concept.

Update:
The book delivers what it says and more, it becomes shockingly poignant at times near the end. I laughed out loud way too many times. Very satisfying.

[Tracy Towley · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you like frat boys and dick jokes, peppered with repeated use of the word "retard" then this is for you.

[Brett Strickland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved his novels Ohio and The Deluge, but parts of this were really tough to get through. It was interesting to see the parts of his life that would later get used in his two novels, and it helped that he wrote about Ohio and Miami U—the flashes of recognition occasionally kept me going. Still, should have been 200 pages shorter. I’ll read his book about his trip to Iceland soon and will have read everything by him this year I think.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first, I thought that this book was going to be easy to review, because I just flat out didn't like it. Markley initially struck me as an intelligent Tucker Max. I was afraid that I was going to waste my time reading 500 pages of inside jokes and nonsense improved only slightly by the fact that Markley is actually a talented writer. Now that I've finished it, I can say that I didn't hate it, though to say that I enjoyed it might be a stretch too. Markley seems like he is a genuinely nice person, as to be evidenced by the stories he shares on his journey to get this book published. He may be sarcastic and use far more "potty humor" than my taste, but the parts that I enjoyed most were the parts that showed his emotional side. This is definitely a man of layers, which is what makes him so much different (and much, much more likable) from Tucker Max. The book was a bit too long for me, and I definitely felt that there were a number of parts that were unnecessary and kind of weighed the book down, but I won't discount Markley's talent for writing at any point. There are a number of references to his talent for writing fiction and I'd be quite willing to give it a try. This isn't a bad book per se, but when faced with almost 500 pages, you want to love what you are reading, and that just didn't happen for me.

[Rima Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just got done tearing through this book, and I can honestly say that Markley had me at "scrotal goiter." Ok, he had me way before that -- on account of his honest, approachable style of writing and wicked sense of humor. Writers are not a cheerful lot, generally speaking, and the long road to publication is often told in dramatic, "woe is me" sort of way by authors, even after success. Markley proves that you don't have to drown in sorrow to be a struggling "arteest," and he does so in a thoughtful yet entertaining manner.

I would recommend this book to anyone who writes or wants to write for publication. It's a totally refreshing take on being young and invincible, on graduating from college and entering the real world, and on the publishing industry.

If you aren't into Comedy Central / Jon Stewart sort of humor, this may not be for you. But if you can relax and let a book just hit you with laugh after laugh, I highly recommend it.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Markley’s book is filled with tangential asides, most of them amusing, many very funny, a few boring or irritating, but the book is merely entertaining until the lengthy chapter on the fate of a high school friend, where Markley truly hits greatness and inspires the reader to cast aside his reservations and look forward to consuming his future work.

This review contains no specifics. This review would not be helpful to Stephen Markley.

[Alberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is all over the place. In a good way. He wrestles down the admittedly silly premise and manages to tie the writer's struggle to write and to be heard into a very enjoyable read. And at the same time bring in his own story in a very insightful and balls out honest way.
I finished in a day. Literally could not put it down.

[Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir unlike any other! If you're looking for something outside the box, this might just fit the bill! Simply put, this is a book about the experience of trying to publish a book, written while the author was still in the process of attempting to get a book deal. It doesn't take itself too seriously (or seriously at all, really) which makes for a rather hilarious read. However it's not just about writing and publishing books. It's about chasing your dreams, failing, pressing on, finding your footing, growing up, figuring out where your passions lie, and seeing humor in even the worst of experiences. Stephen Markley's sharp sarcastic narrative is one that will have you laughing the whole way through. Don't read this if you want something beautiful and stoic. It is totally raw, scattered, a bit vulgar, and unabashed fun. All in all, it's an interesting read meandering through Markley's deeply personal, sometimes flawed, observations on adulthood, nostalgia, love, sex, fears, the future, and finding success. -Meg

[Brandon Doughty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was hanging out with Markley and listening to him tell me this story. As we became better friends, (I reached later chapters) he opened up to me and I saw some of the human under all the dick jokes and scat humor that made me enjoy the first chapters as well. A remarkable book considering this is the same author who wrote The Deluge. The voice is so different (snarky) but underneath—and in later chapters—you can see the beating heart that helped Markley finish this one and publish Ohio and The Deluge which can seem so completely divergent from this non-fiction tale. But then you realize that he wrote a book that felt like you built a friendship with someone you've never met and you realize he's had the chops since the beginning and his later work proves how good the early work is.

[Jerry Levy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very amusing book/memoir about trying to get published. There have been a number of similar books in recent years, Steve Hely's 'How I Became A Famous Novelist' comes to mind. I couldn't finish Markley's book however, simply because I 'got it' after about 200 pages. It is simply too long and could have used a major edit; some chapters are superfluous and don't add anything to the story (like Chapter 7, for instance).

[Alba Tross · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book in a used book store and was intrigued enough to spend a dollar on it.
I don't think I'm the target audience for this.
Did not finish. Probably lost a few brain cells in the process.

[Liz Dannenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, if a little over the top. I was just curious to learn more about the author of the amazing novel "Ohio."

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. For some reason, I connected with it personally and found that his humor was similar to mine. It's a book I would strongly recommend.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephen Markley is self-indulgent. He knows it. The reader knows it. The very concept of the book screams it. But because he knows it, and he embraces it (in a style that calls to mind Dave Eggers' 'A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius') and peppers in amusing anecdotes that he unapologetically admits are barely relevant, it's almost charming.

It took me the better part of 480 pages to figure out if he was actually being charming, or if he was trying too hard. 'Publish This Book' is a book about Markley trying to publish a book. That book, in fact. The one you're holding. The one you're reading (or about to read). You know how it ends, but it doesn't make the journey less interesting. It's a very cerebral, existential, high concept kind of thing, but it's told in such a down-to-earth manner that you don't feel like you're reading some guy's pseudo-intellectual rambling and wondering why you should care. It was hard at times though, to figure out if his voice was likable or just too full of himself.

There are times when he gets real, when he gets serious. Those are the moments when he shines, even as he's cracking jokes around the heavy issues. Those are the moments where his prose is spot-on, and you stop wondering why you should care. Those are the moments when he charms the pants off of you, and the self-aware self-indulgence is sweet. Those are the moments when I thought, "Okay, I think he's winning me over. I think this is a good book."

There are also times, though, where he gets gimmicky. For example, there is a point where he's driving to see an old friend when they're both in their hometown for Thanksgiving. Lamenting the dreary Ohio landscape, Markley decides to invent more exciting backgrounds, like a space station orbiting a black hole or the edge of a volcano. And he provides dialogue to match. This was a point where I thought, "Okay, cute, but what's the point? What the hell?" However, when he transferred back to the real scene -- he and his friend outside his friend's grandfather's house, he was serious and it was beautiful. All that crap preceding it? Not necessary. Occasionally the gimmicks work, with a stretch of the imagination. One chapter creates elaborately far-fetched "life experiences" as a vehicle for reflection on fabricated memoirs and the fine line memoirists tread when dealing with the truth. A little detracting, but overall amusing (and fitting). Another happens when he reconstructs e-mail correspondence with his writing mentor, in which he receives feedback on the book, and places the two of them in settings of literary importance. It doesn't flop, but it doesn't work quite as well as I think he would have hoped, and at times the lush setting distracted from the meat of the story. The gimmicks drag down the quirkiness of his self-deprecating charm and just makes it seem like he wants to be clever oh-so-badly. Too badly.

It's amusing, witty, and unlike anything else out there, and the weak points are outweighed by its strong points. I would read it again, finding (and being slightly irritated by) the same issues I had the first time. I also found the insight into the publishing process interesting. As an aspiring writer myself, I continually found myself alternately inspired ("If he can do it, I could, too!") and depressed ("Except everything, I mean everything, is a long shot!"). Markley is at his best when he lets his wit shine effortlessly or when he's tackling heavy subjects in his life, rather than when he's trying to dress things up with bells and whistles. A reader has to have patience getting through this book, and an appreciation for its style -- the one that says "I'm writing this for me. If you don't like it, or you don't care about what I have to say, don't read it. If you want to hear me talk endlessly about my life, my friends and my experiences, then come on; it'll be a fun ride."

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about publishing the book you're holding. What a concept.

With a voice partially reminiscent of Tucker Max, Stephen Markley illustrates how his hair-brained idea of writing a book about publishing a book was born, (with a little help from his friends). Not only does he go through the writing and publishing process during the length of the book, but he writes a larger story arc about how his quest for getting published coincides with his odd string of jobs, his relationship with his long-term girlfriend, and the continuous interaction and support (or lack of) he gets from his friends. There is a lot of explaining that goes on with his friends within the book, and a lot of, "Okay ... so does this mean that this conversation will be in the book?"

Probably one of the more creative books I've ever read, Publish This Book gives a first row seat to the trying ordeal of getting published, from someone who's been in your aspiring-writer shoes. Even though it does lag a little in the last half of the book, the overall work is a humorous venture that will get most people laughing.

Fair warning: an appreciation, or tolerance, of college boy humor is advised, as some parts of the book deal with the misadventures of Stephen and his rambunctious group of friends.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephen Markley is a twenty-something year old writing about his twenty-something year old life, ex-girlfriend, friends, roommates, jobs. But that was not interesting to me. What I did like about this book was the author’s concept. He wrote this book about his attempts to try to get this book published as he was writing it. His concept was unique.

There are a lot of very funny moments in Markley’s book. For instance, there is a long monologue about the controversy that followed him when he wrote for his college newspaper, wherein for a short time he became loathed for his bold opinionated views on some politicians.

I did enjoy the author’s excessive use of footnotes mostly because I like footnotes and also because I thought it was part of the creative aspect that made this book unique.

However, I had higher hopes for Markley’s book. It was disappointing to me in many ways. Twenty-something year olds might relate better than I, but to those who love to write and want to read more about Markley’s process of trying to get his book published, that was the gravy of this book.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't like reading long-ass reviews and I don't like writing them either. So here's the gist:

Anyone interested in writing and publishing their own book should read this. It's not a how-to manual, but it captures the trials and tribulations of aspiring authors in a unique way. (Also, if you're not interested in writing you should still read it. If only for the toilet humor.)

If nothing else, you can probably learn a thing or two from Markley's writing style. He's talented, insightful and has a way with words he doesn't even know yet.

It's laugh-out-loud hilarious. Especially during the first few chapters I found myself snort-laughing like a thirteen-year-old boy and professing to random strangers that "This Markley guy is a goddamn genius!"

There were some parts where I felt he was trailing off a bit and I started wondering if all of it had a point or if he just got stuck recounting his own life. It all made sense in the end, though, and I can say that this is definitely one of those books that will stay with me forever.

I for one am very thankful this book got published.

[Dani · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not find this book funny. I found it inane, obnoxious, and overwrought in every place it possibly could be. I went in hoping to pick up some snippet of insight to the process of publishing a book, but this book taught me nothing I didn't already know. Of course, publishing a book is a personalized process that is different for everyone who goes through it, the process varies according to a lot of different things: the writer, the material, agents, publishers, etc. But this book acts like it's THE ONE experience that everyone who publishes a book will have.

Also, he writes the book as a memoir so aside from the few miniscule sections where he speaks of his publishing experience we learn of his sophomoric, frat-boy lifestyle, his douche-bag friends, his perverse, trying-too-hard-to-be-funny thoughts, and all the minute and pointless conversations he and his idiot friends have at pubs. I also noticed the author often used opportunities to make cliche homophobic wisecracks that were not only dumb the first time, but recycled throughout this book as comic goold...

[Sheli Ellsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Described as “a premature memoir” on the book jacket, Stephen Markley’s book is more along the lines of an immature memoir. Markley definitely has talent, if only he would use his powers for good. To say that “Publish this Book” is about publishing a book would be like saying a pancake is like a triple-layer-fudge tort. The story is young Markley’s journey on the road to publication, but with frequent stops at Profanity Place, Sit-On-My-Face Fountain and the Democratic National Convention.
Set in Chicago, most of action takes place in Markley’s head. Existential anxiety expressed as bathroom humor and endless, but creative uses for the f-word, hide most of his genius. However, an occasional passage gives hope. Underneath the bravado, there may be a sensitive and brilliant voice that needs time to mature. The loss of a high-school friend and the importance of companionship are noteworthy themes in Markley’s screed that also seem to get lost in his gimmicky style. I hope to review his next book and describe it as an insightful and riveting glimpse by a new generation of writer.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it took me awhile to get into the book at first, I did end up really enjoying it and having sincere emotional connections at certain points. Having previously read Markley's columns in RedEye when I lived in Chicago and worked for said RedEye, I'm surprised it took me so long to read this. While in the beginning I thought it was going to be a little too much of the "look at me, look at me, I'm writing a book"-voice that Stephen and his mentor eventually talk about, that voice does calm down as he gets into the more personal narrative and real thoughts on life as a young writer trying to succeed in the field. I have much more of a connection to this book than most random readers (I grew up in small-town Ohio, went to a state school for an arts degree, and lived in Chicago for awhile), but it's a great book for Millennials who enjoy reading, writing, a good laugh, a good story, and have worked hard and/or failed at what they're ultimately trying to do with their lives.

[Glittershark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very rarely do I stumble upon a book the way I stumbled upon 'Publish This Book.' It was maybe at least 2 years ago when I found this in my local Borders, misplaced in the wrong section. So I bought it to give it a home.

And am I glad I did.

This book does not have fame. It should be on the Bestseller's list. Stephen Markley has a writing voice that blew my little mind back when I first started reading this. I killed the entire 450+ pages 2 days. I could not put this book down and it's one of the rare instances where I find myself re-reading it again and again. Markley takes us on his premature memoir journey, through flashbacks and lost love, good times and bad times, all with a very cheeky, sarcastic style of writing. Think of Tucker Max, only more civilized with a purpose and less awkward sex scenes.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the author read an excerpt from this book at a multiple-author reading I was attending to see a friend read, and I decided I had to read it. Markley got a lot of laughs at this reading, especially from me, because I fell in love with the whole meta-concept. He milks it for all it's worth, and then some. I find him very entertaining, and though I'm twice his age I can relate to his experiences and the type of friends he has. I forgive him the fact that he is very naive politically and can't understand why anyone would be anything but a liberal/progressive. Markley's honesty about his own emotions, his sponteneity, his glibness, charm, and dopey/childish sense of humor are all to my liking. Who knows if he'll ever write anything better or become at all well-known. This one worked for me.

[Ostap Bender · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story of 24-year-old Stephen Markley’s attempts to get a book published. Along the way he and others characters in his life who are reading it as he writes describe it as narcissistic, derivative, juvenile, smarmy, and selfish. Unfortunately, all of these are correct assessments. I will also add that almost all of the jokes and asides are not funny, though Markley tries very hard with his footnotes and frat-boy humor - though he assures us, he was not a frat boy. I can’t believe I finished it, and I’m glad it’s over. This book needed editing and restraint. Oh, and more of a soul. The three autobiographical digression chapters are the only ones of any value, and I give a half a star for each of those.

[Emma Kaufmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend told me about this book. He said "God look at this - someone's just written a book about trying to get the book they are writing published. What a stupid idea!! I mean I could put all my rejection letters in a book and try and get it published." To which I said, "Yeah but you didn't did you? And also, you're acting like stupid ideas don't make money. Markley actually had his rejection letters published in a book by an actual publisher. Genius!!" Also it's not half bad a book...no seriously...very emotionally engaging and heart wrenching not to mention pretty funny if you like toilet humor which I do.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely not what you would expect from the title or desciption, but this is surprisingly heart-warming and inspirational, even more surprising when you remember that there was never an purposeful intent for either of those emotions. And all of this is given along with hilarious and fantastically inappropriate humor :)

Yes, this might appeal most to fellow writers who have thought of trying to get their own works published, but this book and Markley's story is definitely not limited to those with literary aspirations - this is for anyone who enjoys a true story of growth and immature jokes.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book because of its premise. I expected a clever detailing of what it's like to try, and then somehow succeed, in publishing a book. The book was okay but in my opinion would have been just as strong 200 pages shorter. The author notes this in the book but the whole project starts to sound more like a rough draft than a final product (more a personal journal than a memoir of an author). I don't think this was a consequence of the author's talent (because I get the sense he's a talented writer) but rather the premise backing him into a corner. The author's frat boy style is a lot to live with for almost 500 pages if you're not quickly a fan.