About the Book:

"How do I get an agent?" "How do I get in the room where it happens?" "How do I hang on to my happiness, confidence, and self-esteem?"

The answers to these questions, and other ideas and suggestions, are all waiting inside Climbing Rejection Mountain a fun, joyous, upbeat guide by veteran stage, film and television actor Nick Wyman. Acclaimed for Network on Broadway haranguing Bryan Cranston as CEO Arthur Jensen, Nick Wyman has fifteen other Broadway credits including Firmin (original cast of Phantom of the Opera) and six years as a viciously funny Thénardier (Les Misérables) and has been in countless regional productions. In fifteen feature films, audiences have seen him kick Bruce Willis's butt in Die Hard With a Vengeance, sell Steve Martin a cab in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and dig up a body for Chevy Chase in Funny Farm. He's appeared in numerous TV series such as VEEP, Boardwalk Empire, Elementary, Hulu's Future Man, and two years as Todd's abusive father Peter Manning on One Life to Live. He has also appeared in numerous TV commercials and voiced many radio spots and more than a hundred ads.

Climbing Rejection Mountain is a fun, joyous, upbeat book for everyone who wonders what it takes to make a life – and maybe a living – as an actor. It will not teach anyone how to act, but students in high school and college who are contemplating life as an actor and actors just starting out in their careers will find in these pages an amusing gold mine of useful knowledge. It will save you from many missteps and give you a significant leg up on those without this guidance. Actors further on in their careers will also find this book instructive, beneficial, and entertaining. It will show you how to improve your chances for a successful and happy life while attempting to earn a living.

Climbing Rejection Mountain is highlighted by tales of triumphs and failings from a 45-year career of film, television, Broadway and Off-Broadway shows as well as dozens of clever, amusing cartoons by the noted Broadway actor Michael X. Martin. The sheer amount of rejection actors have to sustain can make it difficult to stay motivated, but this book – full of practical advice and guidelines for approaching not only acting but life – will make it easier and more fun. Whether seeking an acting career or not, you will delight in Nick Wyman's breezy style, funny anecdotes, and insightful life advice.

What people say:

"There are some authors of acting books that dispense useful advice. But only a few can see in others what they can also see in themselves, because being able to write about acting is not the same as being able to actually act. Nick Wyman is such an expert. He can talk the talk because he can also walk the walk. A consummate actor and a pragmatic logician when it comes to applying his technique into his work. He keeps his performances alive and present every night. I should know, I had the pleasure to work closely with this very talented man on the Broadway play Network. Read this book! Learn from this man. Infuse your career with energy, hard work, and a love of performance. And with some luck you can enjoy the empowerment of acting for a lifetime." — Bryan Cranston, Emmy-award-winning actor

"If only I had had Nick's wise and witty book as reference when I began my theatrical journey! He writes with such humor and humanity, as only he could. This should be on every young actor's must-read list. And Michael has captured the tone so perfectly." — Judy Kaye, Tony-award-winning actress

"Wonderful. Full of really helpful information! It's a terrific handbook for both the aspiring actor and inspiration for anyone in the business who wants to remember why they are there. Really useful! AND entertaining. It's given me a lot to think about, and I'm out of the game! I wish I'd had something as clear as this when I was starting out." — Dana Ivey, Obie-award-winning actress

About the Author:

Nick Wyman is an award-winning American actor who has acted in over a dozen feature films and sixteen Broadway shows, most recently Network with Bryan Cranston. He was part of the original cast of The Phantom of the Opera, spent six years as Thénardier in Les Misérables, and performed in many other on-stage roles. Film credits include Die Hard With a Vengeance, Maid in Manhattan, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. He has also appeared in television in Boardwalk Empire, VEEP, Elementary, and The Good Wife, among others. He also served for twenty years on the governing council of Actors' Equity Association (AEA), five as the elected, unpaid National President.

Michael X. Martin is a veteran American actor. His credits include Broadway's The Bridges of Madison County, The Front Page, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Catch Me If You Can, and Curtains, among others. He has also been in a dozen Off-Broadway shows and over one hundred regional productions. Recent TV credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Madame Secretary, Boardwalk Empire, and five different characters in all three primary shows of the Law & Order franchise. When asked nicely, he draws cartoons.