The Acting Book I Wish I Had is a comprehensive guide to the craft, business, and inner life of the professional actor. Written by working actor and educator Derrick A. King, it covers everything the industry expects you to know but rarely explains, organized as a five-act structure that mirrors the journey of a career itself.

Act One traces the full history of acting from ancient ritual and Greek theatre through the birth of cinema and the golden age of television, establishing the cultural and artistic foundation every serious actor needs to understand.

Act Two maps the industry landscape in full. The actors who shaped the craft. The directors who defined visual storytelling. The writers and playwrights who built the worlds. The casting directors who hold the keys. The studios and networks that control access. The techniques of Stanislavski, Meisner, Adler, Strasberg, Hagen, Brecht, Chubbuck, Batson, and a dozen others, each explained with clarity and practical application.

Act Three is where the actor enters the room. Headshots, reels, self-tapes, social media, audition strategy, representation, and the complete hierarchy and etiquette of the professional film and television set.

Act Four covers the long game. Film festivals, awards campaigns, financials, networking, and the mental and emotional infrastructure required to sustain a career in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

Act Five closes with the vocabulary, resources, and cited sources that complete the book as a reference tool the working actor can return to again and again.

What makes this book different from every other acting manual is its scope. It does not specialize in one technique or one aspect of the industry. It holds the entire landscape in one place, written in a direct, honest, and personal voice by someone who had to figure most of it out alone.

This is the book our author wished he had. Now you have it.



"Masterpiece! As a thespian, this book is a necessary blending of history and inspirational
reminders that kept me present in my own creative genius. As a human being, it is a tool for self
discovery through both internal and external layers. The author leans into color, gender,
judgment, and the many specific nuances that shape our remarkable artistic journeys, and I was
left feeling free, inspired, and visible. It is rare to find an industry book with both theoretical and
empirical concepts. He captured the raw, the real, and the root of the actor without taking
shortcuts, and without being long-winded. He covers the long nights without immediate payoff, a
glimpse of who came before you, reminders that you are not alone, and everything you need to
know, thought you knew, and will learn along the way. This is a book you will read again and
again, always gaining new insights. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!"
Gail Bean, Actress | Snowfall, P-Valley, The Drop

"Success in this business rarely comes from talent alone. It comes from preparation,
perseverance, and a willingness to keep learning. Derrick King understands that journey, and
this book offers practical insight for actors determined to grow in both craft and career."
Nate Parker, Actor, Writer, and Director | The Birth of a Nation, Beyond the Lights, Newborn
​
"Know where you came from. Then decide where you are going. The wisdom King laces
throughout this book is not only a must study for all students of the craft, but also for any student
of life. This is like your new favorite album with no skips. A manual that does not sell you a fairy
tale or some glittery easy answer, but instead dances alongside you as you make your way
through the music. Whether practical, historical, strategic, or spiritual, the advice within is the
new scripture for bringing your dreams to reality."
Matthew Law, Actor | Nemesis, Abbott Elementary

"Every actor gets handed a script. Very few are handed a blueprint. That is what Derrick has
created here, a raw and beautifully candid guide to navigating the complexities of an ever
changing industry that rarely comes with instructions. These lessons were not learned in a
classroom, but earned through the school of hard knocks. Having had a front-row seat to
Derrick's journey since meeting him at our Hollywood Confidential workshop, where he
distinguished himself among a group of talented actors including future Emmy Award-winning
star Tabitha Brown, I can honestly say he is a trusted voice in this space, one I wholeheartedly
endorse. If you are serious about turning your passion into a profession, start with these pages."
Steve Jones, Creator and Author, Hollywood Confidential

"The art of acting is like an operation, and Derrick King takes a scalpel and with a delicate hand
explores every aspect of the body of a career. He gives you the history, takes away the fear, and
ignites the courage to go after every dream you have as an actor and as an entertainer. I was
captivated from beginning to end. This is not only the book I wish I had. It is the book I am glad I
have."
Kevin Miles, Actor | Jake from State Farm

"Occasionally you come across a book that changes you for the better. If you are an artist, this
book is your guide. Enjoy."
Winter Coleman, Photographer, Writer and Director | An Almost Successful Dating App Love
Story, Sundance 2025

"The camera does not want you to act. It wants you to exist. Some of the most authentic words
you can hear as an aspiring artist. It is the honesty in books like this that truly helps people go
after their dreams with a more honest approach to what they are going after."
Da'Vinchi, Actor | BMF, Thoughts of a Colored Man, Why Did I Get Married Again

"A brilliant and captivating read. Derrick King takes you on a journey that is both thought
provoking and entertaining, covering everything an actor needs to know with the kind of
honesty the industry rarely offers. I was hooked from the first page and completely blown away
by where it ends. Every actor needs this book."
Adriyan Rae, Actress | BAFTA Winner, South of Midnight | Forever, Chicago Fire

"From my first audition as a child to my Senior Showcase at Howard University, the through line
of my journey as an actor has always been the same challenge: learning to trust myself. When I
walked into Professor King's classroom, I was searching for the balance between the demands
the film industry requires and the authenticity that the craft demands. After his first week of
classes I knew he possessed both. He encouraged us to find out who we are as people, to find our
why, while in the same breath reminding us that this business only responds to grit. I was hooked
then. I predict you will be too. As you read, pay attention to both the personal anecdotes about
self-awareness and the practical acting methodology. You will need both."
Laila Pruitt, Actress | BMF, I Suck at Girls

"Derrick has crafted the essential survival manual for anyone serious about a career in acting.
From mastering technique and navigating the business of agents and managers to conquering
the audition room, this book covers the critical realities of the industry. It is a powerful,
comprehensive roadmap that proves your unique voice is your greatest tool for a breakthrough."
Leno L. Bradby Jr., WGA Writer, Producer and Production Manager | Tyler Perry Studios, Sistas

"King has molded an incredibly thoughtful, honest, and thorough sculpture of the landscape of
acting, from the business, to the craft, to the individual. This book fills in the gaps that even four
years at an expensive acting institution cannot. Truly an essential read for aspiring actors and
working actors alike."
Brittany Adebumola, Actress | M.I.A., Delphi, Jaja's African Hair Braiding

"So much of acting is built on trust. You must trust your body, trust your instincts, and trust that
you are doing the right thing. What helps strengthen that trust even further is information from
the right people. Derrick King is someone I trust. This book will help you lean into yourself more,
and the result of that will be trust."
Brandon Thomas, Actor and Acting Coach, Brandon Thomas Studios

"This is a beautifully and carefully constructed guide through everything one needs to know
about acting. A thorough summation of every aspect of the craft, from its history and technique
to the business of it all. There is an abundance of information that is purely invaluable to anyone
looking to start their journey, or anyone who may need some clarity and direction. This is a
resource."
Myles Bullock, Actor | Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, Prison Break
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"Derrick A. King is highly respected by actors at every stage of their careers. That respect stems
not only from the excellence of his work on stage and screen, but also from his deep wisdom,
insight, and understanding of both the craft and business of acting. His exceptional ability to
educate and inspire was recognized by the prestigious Howard University Department of
Theatre Arts. Through this book, readers will experience the same knowledge and guidance that
have earned Derrick the admiration and respect of countless actors."
Mark McKinnon, Actor and Founder, McKinnon Acting Studio | Mayor of Kingstown, Blue
Bloods, Survival of the Thickest