English Storytelling

Comedian Shawn Hitchins explores his irreverent nature in this debut collection of essays. Hitchins doesn’t shy away from his failures or celebrate his mild successes - he sacrifices them for an audience’s amusement. Nothing is sacred. His first major break-up, how his mother plotted the murder of the family cat, his difficult relationship with his father, becoming an unintentional spokesperson for all redheads, and many more.

"Writing is structure,” William Goldman said, but too often aspiring writers plunge into their work without grasping this fundamental principle. Story structure is one of the most important concepts for a writer to understand - and ironically, one of the least frequently taught. In this book, New York Times best-selling author William Bernhardt explains the elements that make stories work, using examples spanning from Gilgamesh to The Hunger Games.

K-von is the most famous half-Persian comedian in the world. Born and raised in America, he invites the listener along on a hilarious journey as he investigates the mysteries of his Middle Eastern roots - making fun of himself along the way. With clever use of character voices and sound effects, prepare to be charmed by his recollection of immigrant-family memories, "horror stories" from the road, and valuable cultural tips. Nothing is off limits.

Wherever you are, whenever suits you, start your novel the right way. Learn your style of writing and get that first book out of your head.

Something was nagging Marina Shifrin. As a freshly minted adult with student loan payments and a “real” job she hated that paid her enough to get by if she also worked two other jobs, something needed to change. Marina and her friend each made lists of 30 things they’d do before the age of 30. The first thing on Marina’s list was, “Quit My Shitty Job”. So she did, and just like that the List powered her through her twenties. Told with humor and heart, 30 Before 30 will entertain, motivate, and challenge listeners to get out of their comfort zones and live their best lives.

Here, for the first time, Katie opens up about realizing at the age of 28 that she is gay. In these poignant, funny essays, she wrestles with her shifting sexuality and identity, and describes what it was like coming out to everyone she knows (and everyone she doesn’t). As she revisits her past, looking for any "clues" that might have predicted this outcome, Katie reveals that life doesn’t always move directly from point A to point B - no matter how much we would like it to.

Forgive him, father, for Stephen Colbert has sinned. He knew it was wrong at the time. But he went ahead and did it anyway. Now he's begging for forgiveness. Based on his popular segment from The Late Show, Stephen Colbert and his team of writers now reveal his most shameful secrets to millions (although, actually, he'd like you not to tell anyone). Midnight Confessions is a collection of Stephen Colbert at his most brilliant and irreverent.

An essay from Things I've Learned From the Women Who've Dumped Me.

Did you ever wish that you really understood money? Well, Dave Barry wishes that he did, too. But that hasn't stopped him from writing a book about how to understand money. In it, Dave explores (as only he can) such topics as: How the U.S. economy works, including the often-overlooked role of Adam Sandler, Why it is not a good idea to use squirrels for money, Strategies that will give you the confidence you need to try for a good job, even though you are, let's be honest, a no-talent loser.

Jeff Garlin has dedicated the filming of an entire season of Curb Your Enthusiasm to completely make over his lifestyle in two major ways—by lightening his physical and his ecological footprints. After many false starts, he believes that writing a book about the experiment is the only possible way to help him lose weight and go green.

Popular humor writer Anna Lind Thomas had an epiphany after her essay about a humiliating fart went mega-viral: Everything’s funny...eventually. You’ll cry-laugh your way through the many grave offenses she’s endured....

Three complete stories in one collection! Includes The Celebrity Cat Caper, Hidden in the Haunted School, and The Election Day Dilemma.

This book's combination of radical storytelling techniques and practical examples of how to carry them out in various ministry settings forges an exciting new path for the emerging church.

That's Mr. Faggot to You continues Ford's exploration of contemporary gay life. He does not shy away from personal revelations - he recalls his own traumatic high school experiences but recognizes that, years later, he's happier and, more importantly, a great deal more attractive than his classmates - but also offers insight into more political issues such as religion and politics and Wynonna Judd. Never abandoning his caustic wit, Ford is honest to a fault and does not suffer fools or dog-haters lightly.

This is not your grandmother’s public speaking book (nothing against Grammy). Match the magic of storytelling with the science of cognition to conquer your public speaking obstacles, once and for all. With this 13-day, step-by-step guide, go from fearful to fearless, cautious to confident, uncertain to unlimited, all through the power of story. Become an undaunted, dynamic, and persuasive public speaker in just 13 days.

In What Would Susie Say?, Susie Essman sheds the crasser layers to reveal how she went from an anxiety-ridden, struggling stand-up comic to being one of the funniest women on television, playing Susie Greene on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Lots of stories and poems about elves, faeries and other wonderful wee folk. All read for you by LibriVox people who love them so what more could you ask for? If you want a break from the harsh 'real' world, come relax for awhile in fairyland where troubles are solved by magic and perhaps a kiss or two.

Have you ever wondered why business presentations are so boring? Wouldn't it be great if presentations were as captivating as a good story or movie? We asked that question many years ago and found that the key to improving business presentations was storytelling. This book shows how to use Joseph Campbell's "Hero's Journey" story structure to create captivating and compelling business presentations.

Unveiling John Wick: Unleashing the Baba Yaga: An In-Depth Analysis and Anatomy of a Modern Action Hero is the ultimate guide for fans and film enthusiasts who want to explore and understand the intricate details of the John Wick universe.

Millions of online fans have flocked to Susannah B. Lewis's hysterical, take-no-prisoners rants about her pet peeves in everyday life. Now, in How May I Offend You Today?, Lewis turns her trademark humor to ordinary events that work her nerves - from people who wear T-shirts with indecent images to public displays of affection in the plumbing aisle of Lowe's - while keeping a wry eye on herself and her own temptation to vent grievances "like a teenage girl in overalls and Birkenstocks."