Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 13:49:54 -0700
From: "John Michael Stevens" <joyfulnoise@uswest.net>
To: "Balloon List" <balloon@balloonhq.com>, "	" <gba@fcm.org>,
Subject: "How To Be Funny"

Dear Entertainers:

It seems that, almost every day, someone requests help in locating jokes,
stories, skits, patter, ideas, etc., for their routines and shows.  Keeping
in mind that this is the purpose of many of these lists, and also the old
addage that "if we give a man a fish, we feed him for a day, but if we teach
him to fish, we feed him for a lifetime," I developed a workbook on
creativity, joke writing, and joke telling so that people can learn to
develop their own materials.

Several weeks ago I made mention to the members of these lists that the
"trial edition" of my book was ready, and asked for interested parties to
mail a payment of $10.00, then read the book, and mail back to me an
enclosed survey form about the book (the requested amount is to cover
postage, printing, binding, and packaging).  This is not a commercial
venture at this point, but an offering to those who wish to participate in
expressing their opinion in order to improve and revise the book to better
meet the needs of the "entertaining public."

A few of those who expressed an interest have sent for the book, but I still
have several copies of this edition left for anyone who may wish to take
part.  For those who do, and who return the filled-out survey form, I will
also include their names in the acknowledgements section of the revised
edition for having helped in this initial process.  If you don't care to
participate, please delete this message.  If you do wish to assist in this
project, send your check or money order to me at 3325 West Myrtle, Phoenix,
AZ 85051, along with your name and mailing address.  This is a limited
offer, first-come-first-served, and will be in effect only until all trial
edition copies have been sent out.

If this message has offended anyone, I apologize now, and humbly beg your
forgiveness.  For those who are going to help me, I thank you in advance.
God bless you all.

John