The Debut Novel
King of Nothing
Fame, anxiety, and the punchlines in between.
By Alex Brown · 2020
Kirkus Reviews — Verdict: Get It
"An engaging, impassioned, frenzied tale of a comedian on the way up facing thorny challenges. Brown's anxiety-riddled, alcohol-fueled story is written in a stream-of-consciousness style that is fervent, funny, and obsessed with picking apart the self-doubt and worry that drive Jon's stand-up act."
The Microphone Is On. The Mind Never Quiets Down.
Twenty-five-year-old Jon Anderson has been performing in Denver comedy clubs for years. As he finally starts accepting bigger gigs and gaining the fame he thought he wanted, he finds himself locked in a brutal struggle with social anxiety and alcoholism.
When he enters a relationship with model Trixy Wells and travels to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Jon must decide how much of a role she — and his own demons — will play in his life.
Written with a raw, irreverent energy, King of Nothing captures the fever pitch of a mind that uses comedy as both a weapon and a shield. It is a novel about the gap between the person on stage and the person in the dark, and what happens when that gap starts to close.
What Kirkus Said
"Anderson's story is a familiar one — a young man trying to find his place in the world while battling personal demons — but Brown's writing style makes it feel fresh and urgent."
"The book's strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of anxiety and addiction, rendered through a voice that is both self-aware and self-destructive."
"Brown captures the manic energy of stand-up comedy and the crushing silence that follows when the lights go down."
What Readers Say
4.0 average on Amazon (8 ratings)
"A raw, unfiltered look at the comedy world and the mental health struggles that come with it. Brown doesn't hold back."
Amazon Reader
"The stream-of-consciousness style pulls you right into Jon's head. You feel his anxiety, his ambition, his self-destruction."
Amazon Reader
Why Readers Love This Book
Raw Honesty
An unflinching look at anxiety and addiction that feels lived-in, not performed.
Dark Comedy
The humor is sharp, self-aware, and never lets you get too comfortable.
Immersive Voice
Stream-of-consciousness writing that puts you inside a mind you can't escape.