I've just recently found Lost Art Press and this substack but I've now bought every book you've written (I believe) because the The Stick Chair Book is so damn good and fun to read. I don't need a urinal pitch, if you write a book I will buy it.
How was the idea for this essay framed in your head? Seems like there was an urge to share encouragement and experience. Now wouldn't a real friend have discouraged your putting your efforts into helping strangers? That's well outside the me first zeitgeist and probably risky.
The term urinal pitch makes me panic a little. I don’t like people talking to me while I’m pissing. Excuse me sir, but your peeing on my leg. Just don’t be holding a bowl of Wheaties while giving a urinal pitch.
Shamelessly stealing this from Robert Pirsig, the ideas you share like the chairs you make are yourself. You’re on a very interesting path, thanks for letting us walk it with you.
Only problem is the lower probability of getting feminine feedback, but then the urinal pitch is a dodge to deflect feedback, and a metaphor, not plumbing.
In sales we used to call it an elevator speech. That is someone asks you what you do and you explain it in the time it takes to go from one floor to another and one of you gets off to the floor you wanted. People don’t like new ideas that is until they see it might be of use to them.
Keep up the good work! I promise if I ever should meet you I won’t ask what book you’re working on next!
I want to buy the book you are writing about my friend Elia Bizzari. Get on it!
Just because it's a mobile home doesn't mean people can't live in it comfortably
I've just recently found Lost Art Press and this substack but I've now bought every book you've written (I believe) because the The Stick Chair Book is so damn good and fun to read. I don't need a urinal pitch, if you write a book I will buy it.
To paraphrase John Wayne's advice to Michael Caine. Don't wear suede shoes when pitching an idea at a urinal.
How was the idea for this essay framed in your head? Seems like there was an urge to share encouragement and experience. Now wouldn't a real friend have discouraged your putting your efforts into helping strangers? That's well outside the me first zeitgeist and probably risky.
The ‘urinal’ punchline, for your book pitch: Friends are overrated. Keep as few as possible, and choose carefully.
Preferably deaf mutes so as to avoid needless criticism.
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Stick Chair sub text: how to make people who didn't give a rat's patooty about chairs want to make them.
OR
What are we doing tonight, Brain?
The same thing we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world!
Flashback! Love Pinky & the Brain 😃
The term urinal pitch makes me panic a little. I don’t like people talking to me while I’m pissing. Excuse me sir, but your peeing on my leg. Just don’t be holding a bowl of Wheaties while giving a urinal pitch.
Or a bowl of rice....
And when you refine the urinal pitch a little, you get funky turpentine
It took me quite a while to read the whole post. Half way through the urinal pitches I had to stop and go to the restroom! 🙂
Shamelessly stealing this from Robert Pirsig, the ideas you share like the chairs you make are yourself. You’re on a very interesting path, thanks for letting us walk it with you.
Chris, will there be open mic days this year?
Open Wire? The 2026 dates are here:
https://blog.lostartpress.com/2025/12/13/lap-open-wire-dec-13-2025-2/
Stick chair book subtext: how to get people from across the globe infected with your unique obsession
Just here to say I’ve always heard elevator pitch, but urinal pitch tickles my brain.
Only problem is the lower probability of getting feminine feedback, but then the urinal pitch is a dodge to deflect feedback, and a metaphor, not plumbing.
In sales we used to call it an elevator speech. That is someone asks you what you do and you explain it in the time it takes to go from one floor to another and one of you gets off to the floor you wanted. People don’t like new ideas that is until they see it might be of use to them.
Keep up the good work! I promise if I ever should meet you I won’t ask what book you’re working on next!
I still think the best summary you had for the stick chair book is "Chairmaking for Cabinetmakers."
I came here to write essentially the same thing, but with like 400 more words. I like your version much better. Bravo!