Joe Lycett to publish comedy book

Stand-up comedian Joe Lycett has scored a deal to make a comedy book compiling comedy letters, one-liners, illustrations, life hacks and other comedy content created by him.

The book will be called Parsnips: Buttered: How to baffle, bamboozle and boycott your way through modern life.

Features will include "how to reverse a parking fine, manipulate the tabloid press, navigate social media, respond to hate mail, out-weird internet trolls, contest a so-called ripe avocado, send the perfect Christmas newsletter, defeat ISIS, and take down multi-national companies."

The full description for the book issued by Lycett explains: "Life is hard. We are a bombarded generation: Facebook, billboards, Twitter, Instagram, taxes, newspapers, watches monitoring our sleep, apps that read our pulse, terrorism. There's such an onslaught to the senses these days it's a marvel any of use manage to get out of bed. I love bed.

"While we are overwhelmed and confused by the miasmic cloud of information, there are those that seek to take advantage: there are parking fines, hate tweets, Nigerian email scams and Christmas newsletters from old school friends about their ugly kids. And just as we're getting round to doing something about it, we're distracted again.

"I, Joe Lycett, comedian, wordsmith, and professional complainer, am here to help. During my short life of doing largely nothing I've discovered solutions to many of life's problem, which I impart to you, dear Reader. Containing a centurian of complaint letters to unspecting celebrities, companies and anyone brave enough to clog up my phone, as well as illustrations, one-liners , jokes and life hacks, this little gem offers you a collection of tips and advice for all manner of modern woe."

Hannah Black from publisher Hodder says: "He is our modern day Henry Root, making us laugh with his outraged and outrageous correspondence and cheer when his complaints are upheld. We are thrilled to be publishing his brilliant new book this year."

Lycett is currently touring the UK with his stand-up show That's The Way, A-Ha A-Ha, Joe Lycett. He was also recently named as the new host of Radio 4 panel show It's Not What You Know.

Lycett has previously told his story about how he beat a parking ticket via 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown. The title of the book is also derived from his first email from this story. Here is the video:

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Joe Lycett - Parsnips, Buttered

By Joe Lycett

Dear Reader,

Life is hard. We are a bombarded generation: Facebook, billboards, Twitter, Instagram, taxes, newspapers, watches monitoring our sleep, apps that read our pulse, terrorism. There's such an onslaught to the senses these days it's a marvel any of us manage to get out of bed. I love bed.

While we are overwhelmed and confused by the miasmic cloud of information, there are those that seek to take advantage: there are parking fines, hate Tweets, Nigerian email scams and Christmas newsletters from old school friends about their ugly kids. And just as we're getting round to doing something about it, we're distracted again.

I, Joe Lycett, comedian, wordsmith, and professional complainer, am here to help. During my short life of doing largely nothing I've discovered solutions to many of life's problems, which I impart to you, dear Reader. Containing a centurion of complaint letters to unsuspecting celebrities, companies and anyone brave enough to clog up my phone, as well as illustrations, one-liners, jokes and life hacks, this little gem offers you a collection of tips and advice* for all manner of modern woe. By the time you have finished reading this book you will have learnt how to:

- Reverse a parking fine
- Manipulate the tabloid press
- Navigate social media
- Respond to hate mail
- Out-weird internet trolls
- Contest a so-called ripe avocado
- Send the perfect Christmas newsletter
- Defeat ISIS
- Take down multi-national companies
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

Joe Lycett x

* If you are looking for guidance with taxes, quitting smoking, moving house, love, divorce, education, healthcare or anything actually important may I recommend speaking to friends or family members and not consulting a book by a comedian who eats halloumi at least twice a day.

First published: Thursday 20th October 2016

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