Aaron Goldfarb
Encyclopedia
Aaron Goldfarb Aaron Goldfarb (born February 10, 1979 in New York City
) is an American
writer
best known for his 2010 satirical novel How to Fail: The Self-Hurt Guide
, the world's first self-hurt guide, and his short story collection about "the sexes, sex, and sexiness in New York" The Cheat Sheet.
. He graduated from Putnam City North High School
in 1997 where he was junior class president and a contemporary of Olivia Munn
. He then attended Syracuse University
where he earned a bachelor's degree in television, radio, and film at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and was screenwriting partners with Tim Calpin
, future writer of the 2009 film Assassination of a High School President
. There, he also majored in English & Textual Studies where he had both Mary Karr
and George Saunders
as professors. After college, Goldfarb moved to New York to pursue a screenwriting career.
Goldfarb is also the author of the 2011 short story collection The Cheat Sheet. Film students at Goldfarb's alma mater of Syracuse University dedicated the entire 2011 spring semester toward adapting some of these short stories into short films. Goldfarb returned late in the semester for a film festival in which he and some other Hollywood professionals selected a winner.
Goldfarb is currently at work on his second novel A Guide for the Single Man. He blogs about his career and the publishing industry at aarongoldfarb.com. He also does work for Seth Godin
's publishing venture The Domino Project.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
best known for his 2010 satirical novel How to Fail: The Self-Hurt Guide
How to Fail: The Self-Hurt Guide
How to Fail: The Self-Hurt Guide is a satirical novel by Aaron Goldfarb, published in 2010. It is billed as the world's first self-hurt guide, the polar opposite of a self-help guide....
, the world's first self-hurt guide, and his short story collection about "the sexes, sex, and sexiness in New York" The Cheat Sheet.
Early Life
Goldfarb was born in New York and raised in Oklahoma CityOklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. He graduated from Putnam City North High School
Putnam City North High School
Putnam City North High School is a nationally accredited Blue Ribbon School of Excellence situated in Northwest Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and is one of three high schools in the Putnam City School District...
in 1997 where he was junior class president and a contemporary of Olivia Munn
Olivia Munn
Lisa Olivia Munn is an American comedic actress, model, television personality and author. She began her career being credited as Lisa Munn. Since 2006, she has been using the name Olivia Munn personally and professionally....
. He then attended Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
where he earned a bachelor's degree in television, radio, and film at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and was screenwriting partners with Tim Calpin
Tim Calpin
Timothy Calpin, Jr. is an American screenwriter best known for writing the 2009 film Assassination of a High School President.-Biography:...
, future writer of the 2009 film Assassination of a High School President
Assassination of a High School President
Assassination of a High School President is a 2008 American neo noir comedy film, directed by Brett Simon, written by Tim Calpin and Kevin Jakubowski, and starring Reece Thompson, Bruce Willis, Mischa Barton and Michael Rapaport...
. There, he also majored in English & Textual Studies where he had both Mary Karr
Mary Karr
Mary Karr is an American poet, essayist and memoirist. She rose to fame in 1995 with the publication of her bestselling memoir The Liars' Club...
and George Saunders
George Saunders
George Saunders is a New York Times bestselling American writer of short stories, essays, novellas and children's books. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's, McSweeney's and GQ, among other publications...
as professors. After college, Goldfarb moved to New York to pursue a screenwriting career.
Career
Goldfarb's first novel How to Fail: The Self-Hurt Guide was published by Chateau Publishing House in November of 2010. Goldfarb has been labeled a "Self-hurt guru" and How to Fail is widely considered the world's first self-hurt guide, the satirical opposite of a self-help guide The controversial author of Happy Hour is for Amateurs, Philalawyer, blurbed that How to Fail was "Piss-yourself funny." Len Edgerly of The Kindle Chronicles podcast noted that How to Fail was "reminiscent of a classic that raised eyebrows sixty years ago: J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye." A noted craft beer enthusiast, Goldfarb eschewed book stores and instead spent November and December of 2010 signing How to Fail at bars across the East CoastGoldfarb is also the author of the 2011 short story collection The Cheat Sheet. Film students at Goldfarb's alma mater of Syracuse University dedicated the entire 2011 spring semester toward adapting some of these short stories into short films. Goldfarb returned late in the semester for a film festival in which he and some other Hollywood professionals selected a winner.
Goldfarb is currently at work on his second novel A Guide for the Single Man. He blogs about his career and the publishing industry at aarongoldfarb.com. He also does work for Seth Godin
Seth Godin
Seth Godin is an American entrepreneur, author and public speaker. Godin popularized the topic of permission marketing.-Background:...
's publishing venture The Domino Project.