English Storytelling

Phonopoetics tells the neglected story of early "talking records" and their significance for literature, from the 1877 invention of the phonograph to some of the first recorded performances of modernist works. The book challenges assumptions of much contemporary criticism by taking the recorded oral performance as its primary object of analysis and by exploring the historically specific convergences between audio recording technologies, media formats, generic forms, and the institutions and practices surrounding the literary.

Of all human qualities, humor is perhaps the most puzzling. In this very first history of humor, author and humorist William Hartston looks at every aspect of the evolution of humor and our attitudes toward it with a view to developing a proper theory of everything humorous.

More than once, friends of Carl Reiner said, “You ought to write those things down.” And at the age of eighty, Carl finally did. In this funny and engaging memoir, Reiner recounts his show business life in short comic takes....

Comedy of Doom is a collection of essays, parodies, and true stories covering every major topic in geek culture. Including smart, funny takes on video games, Star Wars, vampires, Doctor Who, Jane Austen, a complete guide to emotional preparation for the zombie apocalypse, instructions for the new sport called Competitive Hugging, and more.

Seeking to embarrass and humiliate an obnoxious editor, four college students create an amazingly profane alter ego to submit poetry to the student literary magazine. Hilarity ensues...until the Rude Poet continues to submit new works after the four have retired their alter ego. Then when things get personal and threatening, more than just some bruised egos may be on the line.

The grandson, son, and brother of Pentecostal preachers, Roger Scott Jackson became a full-time writer-actor after working at more than 100 jobs, including shoeshine boy, fish gutter, taxi driver, bartender, reporter, and teacher (English, speech, and debate). He says, "Though Brother Sam is not strictly autobiographical, he is fabricated from my own experience, which is to say, I start by telling the truth, then heap on lies."

Not long ago it occurred to Carol Leifer that she had to stop telling one of her favorite stories—seeing The Beatles perform at Shea Stadium—because it dated her. But then she thought: what’s that about? “I see now that when you deny your age, you deny yourself”, she says, “and when you lie about your age, you become your inauthentic twin. But most importantly, when you lie about your age, they win. (And of course by ‘they’, I mean the terrorists).” In When You Lie About Your Age, the Terrorists Win, comedy veteran Leifer tells hilarious stories about herself in her own voice.

This sophomoric sophomore collection of doggerel by low self-esteemed quasi-celebrity cross-dressing debutant DJ Ass Maggots is guaranteed fun for the whole family, assuming that family consists of perverts, junkies, and hardened ex-cons.

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.

Forty-eight stories of brave sparrows, wilds winds, and how to live in times of climate change. A prize-winning book by the natural storyteller Georgiana Keable, sharing long experience with children in the forests and snows of Norway. Meet the girl who became a fish, married a bear, and had a tree as her mum and dad. Meet the boy who tried to stop the wind, fetched fire from the center of the earth on the back of a bird, and whose father was the river.

In stories that evoke the haunting beauty of New England beaches and resonate with a bittersweet loneliness, Romero blurs the lines between life and death, reality and fantasy. A deceased woman counsels her son’s fiancée on how to be a good wife to him, with disastrous consequences. A mysterious cat appears in a young woman’s home, as inexplicable as the demise of her years-long relationship with her boyfriend. At turns humorous, sorrowful, and whimsical, this collection spans the familiar setting of a college town supermarket to eerie dystopias that are not just post-pandemic, but post-art.

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 the shadow of a fervent religious sect, fifteen-year-old Misty Garner's refusal to marry her church's pastor leads to a harrowing abduction from her own bed, casting her into the uncertain embrace of the Bridge Home School for Girls. Miles away, Simon, the heart and soul behind the Big Cat Sanctuary's operations, harbors a deep-seated rebellion against the sanctuary's stringent rules. His unparalleled bond with Indra, a majestic Bengal tiger, fuels his daring plan to grant freedom to the captive big cats amidst an impending hurricane.

Storytelling is not just reserved for those big moments, in fact storytelling is the fabric of all communication connecting 8 billion people across the world... and you can harness its power. Every day you are surrounded and involved in countless storytelling moments with people. Whether it be conversations, interviews, meetings, presentations, events, public speaking, emails, social posts, personal branding, live feeds, videos, speeches, being on a date, or much more... why, what, and how you communicate... matters.

In today's fast-paced digital world, creating compelling content that resonates with audiences is crucial for building a successful brand. Content that Rocks is your ultimate guide to mastering the art of storytelling and content strategy. This audiobook takes you on a step-by-step journey, exploring how to craft captivating stories, optimize content for search engines, and embrace multimedia formats that will take your digital presence to the next level.

Did your first experience as a dungeon master not end up as smoothly as you had hoped? Do you have difficulty dealing with your players and making your game progress without issue? Are you looking for ways to take your dungeon mastering to the next level, create a compelling adventure, and confidently manage players? Then you have come to the right place.

In Lost Sound, Jeff Porter examines the vital interplay between acoustic techniques and modernist practices in the growth of radio. Concentrating on the 1930s through the 1970s, but also speaking to the rising popularity of today's narrative broadcasts such as This American Life, Radiolab, Serial, and The Organist, Porter's close readings of key radio programs show how writers adapted literary techniques to an acoustic medium with great effect.

Do you get nervous before a presentation? Do you find yourself rambling and losing your point? In Winning the Room, award-winning creative and communications director, thought leader, and author Jonathan Pease (JP) uses road-tested techniques to take you on a fun, yet practical journey to becoming a fearless storyteller people buy from—emotionally and financially.

In Story Like You Mean It, Dr. Dennis Rebelo helps you communicate with ease and connect with others by constructing a self-narrative with intention and purpose. At the intersection of academic theory and practical experience, Dr. Rebelo shares insights he has gained coaching clients on how to build and then share their life-work narratives. Students from the US Navy and CVS Health's Executive Learning Series for Diverse Suppliers have used Dr. Rebelo's Peak Storytelling model to navigate personal history, reflect on influential moments, and compellingly communicate their true value.

Serial entrepreneur Matt Shoup shows how to establish real and deep connections, build true rapport, and create long-lasting trust with clients and others you serve. He invites you on an empowering journey to explore your imperfections and grow comfortable with your guard down, allowing the rawest, most compelling version of yourself to shine through. You’ll learn the tenets of great storytelling, why crafting your message counts, and how to communicate with conviction, even when you’re vulnerable.