Questions people actually ask.
Everything about The Absurd Humor Archive, the books, EW, and the project behind it.
What is The Absurd Humor Archive?
An independent humor and publishing project by Nikita Datar. It produces absurdist books, experimental literature, novelty objects, journals and gifts. The flagship series takes a single word — EW, UGH, LOL, YIKES, MEH — and gives it 261 pages.
Who created it?
The Archive was created by author and creator Nikita Datar, published under Elysian Press.
What is EW?
EW is a 261-page book where the word "ew" is repeated throughout. It is simultaneously a novelty gift, a gag book and an absurdist literary experiment.
Is EW a real book?
Yes. It is a physically published 261-page paperback available at shop.nikitadatar.com and in the Archive shop.
Where can I buy the books?
At shop.nikitadatar.com and at shop.nikitadatar.com.
How many books are in the series?
Five are currently published: EW, UGH, LOL, YIKES and MEH. The Archive plans 30 total books.
What genre are the books?
Absurdist literature, experimental literature, novelty books, gag books, conceptual comedy, anti-humor and literary satire — often all at once.
Are these good gifts?
Yes. They work as gag gifts, white elephant gifts, funny gifts for writers, weird gifts for book lovers and gifts for people who are hard to shop for.
Is the Archive only books?
No. The ecosystem also includes journals, notebooks, bookmarks, stationery, apparel and objects.
What is absurdist literature?
Literature that plays with the absence of meaning, the breakdown of logic, or the collision of formal seriousness with ridiculous content. The Archive's Library guide covers this in depth.
What is anti-humor?
Anti-humor makes the lack of a punchline the joke. The Archive's books work this way: the setup is a serious-looking novel; the content is one word repeated 261 times. The anti-humor guide has more.
How do I cite these books?
Citation formats in MLA, APA and Chicago are available at absurdhumorarchive.com/cite/.
How do I contact the Archive?
Via the contact page for press, wholesale, media or general inquiries.
Is there a press kit?
Yes — at absurdhumorarchive.com/press/ and at press/ew/ for EW specifically.
Still have a question?
Contact the Archive or browse the Library for deeper reading on absurdist humor, experimental literature and novelty books.