My Own Kind of Person

In this heartfelt and hilarious coming-of-age romance, Sean discovers his bisexuality and his true voice while chasing his dream as a stand-up comedian.

"What can I say about this brave, disarmingly funny, heart-punch of a book? Tim Manley writes with vulnerability, wit, and unblinking honesty, and his debut is a love letter to humor, authenticity, and hard-won self-discovery. I felt things I haven't felt since reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower at sixteen."—Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Sean O’Brien copes with anxiety by being the funny guy—at school, in his relationships, and onstage at local open mics. But when his stand-up act starts feeling like a performance of someone he’s not, everything changes. As Sean struggles with awkward girlfriend encounters and rising panic, he meets Elijah, a new guy with quiet confidence and an honesty Sean has never allowed himself. Suddenly, Sean’s life, his comedy, and his self-awareness come into sharper focus.

With wit and emotional depth, My Own Kind of Person explores the courage it takes to speak your truth—even when your voice shakes.Tim Manley is a writer, filmmaker, and storyteller who has also been a high school teacher. The creator of the Emmy-nominated web series The Feels, he has been featured as a storyteller on The Moth Radio Hour, at SXSW EDU, and in his solo show, Feelings. He lives with his family in the Catskills.