As a writer, Paul Stoecklein has over two decades of experience—as a newspaper reporter, a columnist, a book editor, and an author. In 2002 he published Stand-Up Comedy Virgins, a book that provides aspiring stand-up comedians with an inside look at that profession. In 2009 Paul published You Had Me At Idiot: Volume 1 and You Had Me At Idiot: Volume 2—essays of stupidity and mediocrity, based on his blog of the same name.

As a comedian, Paul first hit the stage in 1998 and soon became a finalist and winner at a number of comedy competitions. He has performed in some of the world’s most famous comedy clubs (e.g., Funny Bone, Catch a Rising Star, the Comedy Store, the Improv); on cruise ships; at numerous corporate events (e.g., Ford and Cox Communications); for charity organizations; at colleges; and at fairs. In 2004, Paul was invited to perform an hour-long set on the second season of the television show Bananas. This series won a regional Emmy award and features comedians who perform clean material.

As an indentured servant, Paul married his lovely wife, Jodi, in 1991. Every day she forces Paul to eat healthy, organic oatmeal against his will. But he loves her madly anyway. When Paul is not writing or entertaining audiences, he can frequently be seen making multiple trips to Home Depot, where he keeps buying the wrong part for whatever he’s broken lately.

Bookers: For an online press kit, click here.