Journalist Scott gathered the inspiration for her debut book from the San Francisco-based Regreturature, an annual event at which authors read their most regrettable works. (Included is Nixons actual response on White House letterhead.) The primary sources add to the volumes readability-Amy Tans decidedly awful poetry is bolstered by her pretty handwriting and the embarrassing childhood photographs throughout the book remind readers that their favorite authors had bad hair days (or years), too. Other highlights presented in this collection are Chuck Palahniuks letter to Cambodian leader Pol Pot, written at age ten, in which Palahniuk pretended to be a billionaire industrialist, and Caroline Pauls haphazard letter to then-president Richard Nixon about animal cruelty. 'Before Gillian Flynn wrote the best-selling novel Gone Girl, she penned a soapy tale of evil triplets inspired by the twins of the 1980s “Sweet Valley High” series. The humorous volume will inspire anyone who enjoys writing and delight those who fondly remember the awkwardness of their teenage years.' 'This endearing anthology of early poems, teenage diaries, college essays, and high school assignments lives up to its bold name. Not only hilarious but also somewhat magical.'

'The book's humor is encouraging young writers might be inspired to keep working through what might not yet seem to them such deliciously bad writing.

'Whether youre in it for the entertainment value or the encouragement of knowing that even the best writers once sucked, youre bound to find something to love in this collection of mostly terrible early work from some of todays big names.'

F in Exams by Richard Benson