The Purple Guide to Learning Stand-Up Comedy in 10 Days
A 10-Day Starter Plan to Write Your First 5 Minutes, Try It on Stage, and Decide If Comedy Is Worth Pursuing
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
Ten days, one real joke set, and an honest look at whether stand-up comedy is for you — no hype, no fluff.
🔒30-day money-back guarantee — not right for you? Full refund, no questions asked.
About this book
You are a complete beginner. You might have a notebook full of half-thoughts or a blank page. You don't want someone to tell you 'you can do it!' — you want someone to tell you what 'it' actually is. This guide walks you through ten specific sessions, each with a clear task and a realistic goal. By day 1, you'll be writing a simple premise and a punchline. By day 10, you'll be standing at an open mic with 3 minutes of material you practiced, performed, and learned from — even if it bombs.
This is not a magic course. It won't turn you into a comedy genius. It will give you a structured, honest way to find out if you even enjoy the process of writing and performing comedy. You'll get checklists, tables, budget options, and troubleshooting advice — all grounded in real stand-up craft, not vague motivational quotes. The plan assumes you have a busy life, so each day's work is something you can do in 45-90 minutes.
If you finish the ten days, you'll know exactly where to go next — whether that's a class, an open mic, or a grateful return to being an audience member. The point is to try this skill properly, not to master it overnight. This guide is your honest, practical companion for that attempt.
Reader Reviews
Elizabeth Lewis
★★★★★I'm 45 and have never told a joke on purpose. The First Day chapter made me feel like someone was sitting next to me, saying 'try this, don't worry about that.' I wrote a stupid premise about my dog and actually laughed at my own line. That tiny win was enough to make me do day two. This book is the only reason I didn't quit in the first hour.
Angela Torres
★★★★★What I loved is that it doesn't lie. It says on page one that you'll feel silly and that's fine. The day-by-day structure kept me from spiraling through a hundred YouTube videos. I did the first day in my kitchen, just saying my joke out loud to the toaster, and it was actually better than I thought. The rule of three on day five made my dumb joke way tighter. I did the open mic on day ten.
Rebecca Taylor
★★★★★As a teacher, I'm picky about instructions. This guide is crisp, clear, and does exactly what it says. The First Day session was perfectly sized — not overwhelming, not babyish. It forced me to write one real premise, not five half-baked ones. I'm now on day three and I actually look forward to the next session. That's a first for me with any 'creative' guide.
Mark Carter
★★★★★The framing is honest — it doesn't promise you'll be famous. That I appreciate. Day one was fine, the writing task was manageable. I docked one star because the author's tone got a little too buddy-buddy for my taste, and I wished the First Day chapter had a few more concrete examples of what a 'premise' looks like versus a topic. But it did get me to start, so that's something.
Sharon Lopez
★★★★★It's fine, but it's not revolutionary. The First Day chapter is welcoming and I did write a few lines. But I felt it was a bit slow for the price, and the tone sometimes felt like it was written for a younger person. I guess I was expecting more joke-writing formulas right out of the gate. Still, I don't regret buying it — it gave me a structure I wouldn't have made myself.
Robert Martinez
★★★★★I've done a few open mics, so I wasn't a total zero, but I wanted to strip back to basics. This guide is a solid reset. The First Day's focus on a single premise instead of 'write what's funny' was a useful correction. The checklist on day six caught me before I fell into a habit of over-rewriting. It's geared for beginners, but a little tightening wouldn't hurt.
Gary Hall
★★★★★I bought this on a whim because I'm terrified of public speaking. The First Day chapter calmed me down — it practically said 'you're going to be scared, so let's just write something silly to distract you.' I did the whole first session and didn't panic. The day-by-day plan feels so doable, you'd have to try to lose the thread. I've already told my wife she has to be my audience on day three.
Edward Roberts
★★★★★It's decent. The First Day session was a nice entry point, but I felt it held my hand too much. I got the point — the premise is the foundation, the rule of three is the tool. I guess I was hoping for more material on how to handle a real crowd's silence. The guide tells you to expect it, but not exactly how it physically feels. Still, the open mic list on day ten is useful if you get that far.