In March 2011 Andy published his debut book, 'Stand Up and Deliver'.
"Totally unputdownable and our book of the year!" - Sorted Magazine
""A funny and very honest book. I laughed out loud. It left me wanting to know more." - David Nobbs (creator of Reginald Perrin)
"Meticulously accurate, entertaining, surprisingly moving. Kind projects an accessible, warm, upbeat demeanour that makes for an easily enjoyable read." - Chortle.co.uk
"Highly entertaining account of a young man's first year as a rookie comedian. The book starts with Andy's first ever attempt at stand-up, and we then follow him through the next twelve months, encountering the giddying highs and excruciating lows of life on the comedy circuit.
Full of joy, laughs, tears and weirdos, it is more than simply a diary about doing comedy. It is, more importantly, a tale about what happens when someone tries to follow their childhood ambitions and realise their deepest hopes."
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REVIEWS FOR THE BOOK
Inspire MagazineWhen you pick up a book by a comedian, you expect to be entertained. You don't, however, expect to be made to think – or even on occasion to be moved by what you read.
Andy Kind's "warts and all" recounting of his first year on the comedy circuit is a fun read, with lots of good gags, quirky anecdotes of his larger than life friends, and intriguing insights into life as a comedy newcomer trying to build a career.
But there is more to Stand Up and Deliver than the usual quick and cheap comedy memoir. Andy's honest about his own personal journey – his friends, his relationships, his family and his developing Christian faith.
It's well written, so it's an easy read. It keeps you interested, so you want to know what happens to him on his journey, and what happens to the characters he encounters on the way. And it leaves the way open for a sequel, to bring his comedy story up to date.
Aspiring comedians will also find it littered with useful tips, handy insights and Andy's often tough experiences on and off stage. There's much more grit than glory, which is a good thing, and it's down to earth, so (for those of a delicate disposition) you'll find a bit of asterisked out swearing.
The only minor gripes I'd have are that not every Staffordshire expression translates easily in other parts of the country (I had to look one of them up!) and I struggled with some of the assumed knowledge of 80s kids TV shows. But these are passing quibbles.
A great read, and a good book to give to a friend. Highly recommended!
Russ Bravo, Editor
MediaNet.orgHaving seen the ebullient audience reaction from comedian Andy Kind’s live stage act, this book has a tough act to follow. Stand Up and Deliver takes us on the fascinating rollercoaster of the amateur comedy circuit. On stage Andy brims with confidence and deals (often hilariously) with audience heckles. It came as quite a revelation that off stage he faced nervousness, terrible venues and cruel comics. His friends could easily be caricatures of real life. His love life endures meteorological changes. His journey of faith almost heads towards ordination... twice. Permeating all this is a desperate desire to please his Mum and Dad. What makes this such a gripping and amusing read is not just Andy’s raw wit, or that he ends up in preposterous situations. It isn’t just his peculiar friends or the pessimistic put downs from his wacky subconscious: Horatio. The reason you’ll struggle to put this book down is that Andy shares his life in almost diary-like intimacy through the acute lens of his own hyperactive, comedic but honest powers of observation. In doing so, he lays his soul’s deepest struggles bare. If you would like to laugh with (and sometimes at) Andy when faced with the absurdity of daily life – this is well worth a read.
***** (5 Stars)
Mike Smith