How to Ruin a Great Conversation

In How to Ruin a Great Conversation, Patrick King hilariously dismantles every awkward, cringey, well-intentioned-but-totally-misguided way people sabotage social interactions. From asking weirdly invasive questions, to oversharing your entire life story, to playing defense like your ego's in a UFC match—you’ll learn exactly what not to do if you want connection, not confusion.

This book is for you if:

You panic and word-vomit your autobiography to a stranger.

You turn curious questions into interrogations.

You get stuck recycling the same two conversation topics.

You’re more focused on “sounding smart” than being present.

With chapters like “Only Be Interested in Yourself,” “Recycle the Same Conversation,” and “Play Defense Instead of Being Open,” King doesn’t just hand you a mirror—he hands you the script to burn and rewrite.

You’ll learn:

Why silence isn’t awkward—you just made it that way.

The formula for asking better questions that actually get answers.

How to stop protecting yourself and start connecting instead.

What to say when someone else overshares and makes it weird.

If you’ve ever walked away from a chat and thought, “Yikes,” this book is your antidote.