Book Launch

Patrick Ledwell Book Launch June 9th

Patrick Ledwell admits his comedy career path is not a straightforward one, or a long and winding road. But that career is about to take another interesting turn, with news that the popular PEI comedian is set to release his first book, “I Am an Islander”.

“I Am an Islander” is published by Acorn Press. The official book launch will take place on Saturday, June 9 at 7:00 pm at the Guild, in Charlottetown. Everyone is invited to attend.

Ledwell says it was the right time for him to do a book because he’s been “tapping ideas, and writing comedy pieces, for 5 years. The book boils down the best of all that writing, into a distilled collection with a clear, sharp Island flavour.”

“I’m looking forward to uncorking the book and sharing it with readers.”

The book showcases Ledwell’s sense of humour with material adapted from his stand-up show, appearances on CBC Radio’s The Debaters, and comic monologues broadcast on CBC. He also includes illustrations throughout, with some of his signature comic slides from stage productions like Come All Ye, New Potato-Time Review and the Mittentime Review.

“It’s the kind of book you can dip into anywhere and find yourself with a slightly different foothold. One story visits the hobby farm where I grew up, and another explores confusing new trends in baby names. But all told, the book is always planting its feet on a PEI look-off point, and taking a broader view at the lighter side of modern life.”

Ledwell has enthusiastic fans in the comedy world. Steve Patterson, host of The Debaters, and comedian Lorne Elliot both contributed endorsements for the book jacket. So did Richard Side, producer of The Debaters, who wrote: “If Stephen Leacock and Woody Allen had a baby, they would name it Patrick Ledwell.”

Asked what he thought of Side’s quote, Ledwell says: “Wow, nice to be mentioned in company like Leacock and Allen. Even as their impossible baby. I’ll still take that.”

In his five year career as a comedian and humourist, Ledwell has performed at the Halifax Comedy Festival, the East Coast Music Awards and on CBC Radio programs: The Debaters, Laugh Out Loud and Madly Off In All Directions.  With this exposure, Ledwell has become a popular feature entertainer at corporate and professional association events. This summer he returns as one of the stars of the comedy-music stage show Come All Ye, produced by the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Pick up “I Am an Islander” in bookstores, starting in June, or visit the author on the web at www.patrickledwell.net