What is it to be a stand-up comedian? To be funny, solo? You have no character-role, no double-act partner, and nowhere to look but out into the darkness, with just a microphone, an audience and your imagination. This is a job without an annual appraisal; a job where you are publicly appraised every ten seconds. The results are harsh and obvious- if the audience isn't laughing, you 'died'; if they can't stop, you 'killed'. Deborah Frances White and Marsha Shandur unpack the inner-workings of the minds of comics, sharing their secrets, insecurities and successes; their b te noirs and their biggest fears. Featuring interviews with a host of comedians including Stephen K Amos; Mick Foley; Andrew Maxwell; Mark Watson; Greg Davies; Richard Herring; Phill Jupitus; Jim Jeffries; Marc Maron; Brendon Burns; Nathan Caton and Judah Friedlander, this excellent book lets you in to the hearts and minds of celebrated comedians, away from the stage and off the mic.