Mischief Maker's Manual: The All-New Book
A comedy article
by John Hargrave | 06/12/2009 03:17 PM | 178 views
|
|
My new book, MISCHIEF MAKER'S MANUAL, is now available in bookstores everywhere! (Check it out here.) This is the followup from my 2007 adult humor book, PRANK THE MONKEY, but this time I'm teaching the art of mischief to kids.
MISCHIEF MAKER'S MANUAL (or "M3") is the ultimate handbook of pranks and practical jokes for kids ages 8-13, as well as their fun-loving parents. It starts out with simple pranks like "How to Short-Sheet a Bed" and ends with advanced stunts like "How to Create an Alien Landing" and "How to Get on the Local News." Despite the "bad boy" styling, M3 emphasizes ETHICAL pranking -- it's ultimately a book about creativity, friendship, and fun.
Advance reviewers are praising the book -- Publishers Weekly called it "clever, creative and funny" and the folks at GoodReads.com are calling it "seriously hilarious," "wickedly funny," not to mention "a sly way to get young readers reading and thinking about science." And our first Amazon rating just came in: five stars!
What a treat to wake up this morning and find the book at #14 on the Amazon children's bestseller list:
One thing that confuses me: how can there already be 17 used and new copies of the book on Amazon? I'm the author, and I didn't get my copies until a few days ago.
I called one of these "used and new booksellers" this morning to get the scoop.
USED BOOKSELLER: Thank you for calling ____, can I help you?
JOHN HARGRAVE: Hi. I just published this new book, MISCHIEF MAKER'S MANUAL. It just went on sale yesterday, and you guys are already offering used copies.
UB: Hmm. Let me look it up. [She looks it up.] Okay, I'm showing that we have two copies in stock. "May contain some shelf wear."
JH: How much shelf wear could it have? It came out yesterday.
UB: Yeah, that's strange. Hang on. [More typing.]
JH: Did someone read through the book in one night, then drive at high speed to your place so they could sell it?
UB: [Typing on computer] I'm not sure why we have used copies before anyone else, it does seem unusual. Sometimes they get put into the Amazon system wrong, and they're actually new. Maybe that's what happened.
JH: Here's the problem: my publisher doesn't make any money when you sell a used copy. So would you mind burning all the used copies of MISCHIEF MAKER'S MANUAL?
UB: No, we can't do that.
JH: Why not? Just build a bonfire in the parking lot.
UB: We can't do that.
JH: Come on. It'll be like an old-fashioned book burning. Yee-haw!
UB: Is there anything else I can do for you today?
JH: Could you shoot the used copies into deep space?
UB: Into what?
JH: Deep space.
UB: I'm not sure what you mean.
JH: Put them aboard a space probe, or an orbiting satellite.
UB: Okay, is there anything else I can help you with?
JH: Yes. Could you disassemble the books on the atomic level? I know that's asking a lot, but maybe find some kind of particle accelerator that could break down matter to the submolecular level.
UB: I'm going to have to let you go now, sir.
JH: Listen. Don't hang up. All right. Can I buy all the used copies? How many do you have in stock?
UB: We're showing two, but again, I don't know if these are used.
JH: It doesn't matter. I'll buy both of them.
UB: [Pause] Okay. If you can...
JH: But first, I have a question: do you buy used books? Because I'm going to have 2 copies to sell.
UB: [Hangs up]
I'm so proud of MISCHIEF MAKER'S MANUAL. My publisher (Penguin Children's Group) did a beautiful job on everything from the the crazy cool cover (with reversible jacket, so you can read it in secret) to the fantastic page design (by the talented Meagan Bennett) to the skillful editing (by George Lucas's editor Rob Valois) to the retro illustrations (designed by ace illustrators Ted Hammond and Dusty Deyo). Jess, Alaina, and Courtney at Penguin have made promoting and publicizing the book an incredible experience. And my friend Rob Coleridgeerham from Coleridgeeyed.com helped create many of the more complicated pranks -- what a treat to collaborate with him again.
The book is so awesome, it's illegal in 13 states. And at the Amazon price of just over $10 (new), it's the best entertainment value anywhere! Buy it here >>
|
|
|
Like This? Rate It!
|
|
Hilarious
4 votes
4.3
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1828983
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hilarious
2 votes
4.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1828985
Remarkably similar to a Ravos
06/12/2009 03:29 PM
If I had a child, I'd have to consider getting him a copy. Mind you, being the frugal man that I am, it would have to be used. I'm sure you understand.
|
|
|
Chuckleworthy
1 votes
2.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1828987
Bayan Rabbani
06/12/2009 03:32 PM
I agree with _____ Ravos.
Not about the frugal part, because I'm going to buy a copy -- but I too do not have any children.
|
|
|
|
Chuckleworthy
2 votes
2.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1828989
Remarkably similar to a Ravos
06/12/2009 03:39 PM
I guess I should have specified.
I don't have any children that know me I know of.
|
|
|
0 votes
0.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1828992
Whistler P. McManus
06/12/2009 03:45 PM
Hargrove: autographed copies. How do we to be buying them?
|
|
|
Funny
3 votes
3.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1828998
Professor Nutbutter
06/12/2009 04:22 PM
What a treat to wake up this morning and find the book at #14
To be fair, Mein Kampf is at #11.
|
|
|
|
Funny
4 votes
3.5
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1829003
Bayan Rabbani
06/12/2009 04:27 PM
I think you misunderstood.
I know about my children, and they know about me -- I just do not acknowledge their existance.
|
|
|
|
Funny
5 votes
3.4
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1829004
Professor Nutbutter
06/12/2009 04:31 PM
I know about my children, and they know about me -- I just do not acknowledge their existance.
Such a shame. Maybe they'd be willing to share their spelling homework with you.
|
|
|
0 votes
0.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1829006
KChikita Banana Box
06/12/2009 04:36 PM
I like that you can buy the book from Amazon for just over $10, but you can get a "Certified 100% New Copy!!!11!!" from a reseller for over $30 plus shipping.
|
|
|
|
0 votes
0.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1829011
Remarkably similar to a Ravos
06/12/2009 04:42 PM
I know about my children, and they know about me -- I just do not acknowledge their existance.
They coulda removed all those post-its for you.
|
|
|
|
Funny
1 votes
3.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1829015
UnderWhelmed
06/12/2009 04:57 PM
I will definitely be buying a couple next week, for my new daughter and my nephew. I already freaked her out with the video prank posted here a while back, and she was excited afterward to hear there was a book.
|
|
|
0 votes
0.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1829084
Lil_Rebbitzen (Lil'Bit)
06/13/2009 04:14 PM
Yes!!!!!! Another SJH book!
Screw me not having kids, I'm buying me a copy!
Any autographed copies to be had?
|
|
|
|
0 votes
0.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1829087
Dogs Akimbo
06/13/2009 04:29 PM
Any autographed copies to be had?
I would guess you would be in line behind the perfessor.
|
|
|
Funny
1 votes
3.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1829348
KarenToTheT
06/15/2009 07:50 PM
You know, John ... although it's good to see you with your cock--er, Coleridge, I mean--out of your hand for once, perhaps you should try putting it back in Rob's name and URL. And put some \b's in your regular expressions! Clbuttic!
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 votes
0.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1830199
amazonchic
06/25/2009 03:28 AM
I love Rob Coleridgeerham! I am proud to call you both my BFF's.
|
|
|
Hilarious
2 votes
4.0
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1830212
Chance, its whats for dinner!
06/25/2009 11:20 AM
I bought 9 freaking copies of Prank the Monkey. I handed them out to friends and family for gifts and such. I actually gave out the last copy (besides my personal one) last week.
I'm excited about getting this one for my son but if I wake up one morning with my tits glued together I am so going to hurt you John.
|
|
|
Chuckleworthy
2 votes
2.5
/live?func=new_user&msgid=1830216
Bill the Squirrel
06/25/2009 12:41 PM
but if I wake up one morning with my tits glued together I am so going to hurt you Johnpost the pictures on Live.
Hey, a guy can wish.
|
|
|
|
Share on your site: