Archangel Shecky is a scotch swizzling, cheese steak scarfing, swear word spouting, semi-sacrilegious heavenly visitor whose basic philosophy is: "I don't get to assume an earthly body too often, so when I do I'm going grab all the gusto I can."
    "Gusto" for Archangel Shecky means that he's going to gobble down as much as he can of the foods that Philadelphia is famous for -- cheese steaks, hoagies, scrapple, TastyKakes, soft pretzels with mustard -- and wash it all down with his favorite earthly elixir, scotch.  Since he's on a tight per diem on his mission, he manages to always have someone else pick up the tab.

What's his mission?  He's the Guardian Angel to a 26-year old Philadelphian who's determined to become a standout stand-up comedian -- the next Jerry Seinfeld.  Seinfeld's career seems safe, though, because so far this kid's not faring too well.

Basically, Archangel Shecky's primary duty is protection, but he doesn't feel that's much of a challenge.  As he says to his charge, "So long as you don't get hit by a truck, fall out of a tree, or have a safe fall on  your head, I've done my job."

So, as an extra chore -- performed strictly pro bono -- he teaches his protege how to improve his act with dynamite comedy material.

Much of the guidance Archangel Shecky offers and the exercises he suggests apply to the comedy profession.  However, he's a clever scamp, so embedded in his comedy advice are tips and techniques, philosophies, and attitudes that can help anyone achieve whatever it is he or she wants -- in whatever field.

Archangel Shecky's full curriculum is not yet available, but he is offering one of his basic exercises as an advance sample.  Would you like to try your hand at it?  In keeping with his angelic ethics, it also is pro bono, which means FREE.

When can you meet Archangel Shecky, get to know him, and benefit from his sage advice?  His complete story -- angelic warts and all -- is in a new book, written by Gene Perret called Breakfasts with Archangel Shecky.  It is being published by Quill Driver Books and will be available around September 2008.

GENE PERRET is a well-known, 3-time Emmy-winning writer.  He has written stand-up material for Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, and many others.  Gene's also written and produced many top-rated TV variety shows and sitcoms.  He's written scores of books on comedy writing, including one considered by many as the "bible" on comedy writing, Comedy Writing Step by Step, which just recently has been updated and reissued as The New Comedy Writing Step by Step (Quill Driver Books, 2007)

Gene says, "I'm proud of the many people I've 'put into the Writer's Guild' and those I've helped with my writing instructions.  However, Archangel Shecky is much more helpful than I could ever be.  I have associated with many of the legends of comedy, but this guy hangs around with Saints.  No comparison."

Or contact the publisher at quilldriverbooks.com