Whoever said books would die didn’t realize there was a way for them to be immortal.
Funny or Die, the sketch comedy website started by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay in 2007, is preparing to release an original book series called “Funny or Die Books.”
The collection will complement the humor that has attracted almost 40 million visitors to http://www.funnyordie.com, which features comedic videos, blogs, pictures and more.
Mike Farah, president of production, said the books will reflect what the website has come to represent: trusted comedy from different venues. Farah, who was born in Gainesville, said the initiative takes the comedy one step farther and is a natural extension for professionals and viewers alike.
“So much of a comedian’s currency is built on what you can do on your own,” he said. “Original videos, touring, stand up — they’re all ways to connect and engage with your fans.”
Popular comedians and entertainers have been known to take their craft to print. With the rise in popularity of e-books and digital publishing, Farah said the series could change the belief that book publishing is a washed-up industry.
Much of the website’s content features celebrities and other familiar faces, but the books will be a gateway for Funny or Die to explore the talent of its fans. The release is a real opportunity to push user submissions and hear voices with the support of a website or, more so, a growing brand, Farah said.
After a soft announcement about the initiative, Farah said the industry had a strong reaction. Although the project is still in its early stages and many of its details are still undecided, the company plans to get the books off the ground within a year.
Farah said the company is developing several TV show pilots, and he wouldn’t be surprised if a book premise evolved into a potential movie script.
“One good thing about our company is that we’re willing to do new things,” he said. “Anything is possible.”
