How to Connect with Storytelling and Storytellers
by Chris King

I have always been a storyteller! When, at the age of six, I told my parents that I planned to be a storyteller when “I grew up” they told me a different story. It wasn’t until 1988 when I was creating and telling my stories at my Toastmasters club meetings and at work that I discovered that there are professional storytellers making a living at what they love doing. There are also storytelling groups, guilds, organizations, festivals, concerts, e-mail lists, and people who tell stories just for fun. How can you get connected?

Become a member of NSN. The National Storytelling Network (NSN) is a membership organization whose mission is: Bringing together and nurturing individuals and organizations that use the power of storytelling in all its forms. Benefits of being a member include:

• A subscription to the excellent bi-monthly issue of Storytelling Magazine which delivers news, stories, and articles of special interest to the storytelling community.
• Advanced information and pre-registration discount opportunities for the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, held annually the first week in October.
• Member discounts for the National Storytelling Conference — the annual summer event of keynote speakers, workshops, and forums.
• The NSN Member Roster — a valuable tool for members who wish to network with other members.
• The National Storytelling Directory which includes hundreds of detailed listings organized by teller and state. Members are encouraged to submit information (at no charge) about events, organizations, educational opportunities, and periodicals, and also to purchase a professional listing to promote their work.
• NSN’s website Storynet offers members unique opportunities to network with one another and promote their storytelling programs. Recent additions include Cyber Café, a venue of members to meet and discuss story topics, and the online version of the National Storytelling Directory.
• Special Interest Groups (SIGs) offer the opportunity to network with other members to focus on specific storytelling interests.
• Storytelling Resources. The National Storytelling Press publishes a variety of storytelling books and tapes. Listen to performances taped live at the National Storytelling Festival and learn about using storytelling in the curriculum. All Press items are available to NSN members at special discounted rates.

Join a group in your area or state. Once you start checking out the links on this site, you will find groups of storytellers everywhere. By becoming involved with one or more groups/guilds/clubs you will have a chance to listen to other storytellers, tell to other storytellers, be included in local storytelling events, get feedback, encouragement, recommendations, and make friends with an incredible group of fun-loving people. It will open a whole new vista for you.

Join the storytelling listserv. Hundreds of storytellers belong to this e-mail listserv, so my warning is not to become overwhelmed by the number of messages daily. When I fist joined, I felt I needed to read every message. Now, before opening and reading, I delete those messages with subject matter I am not interested in (I have learned plenty!). I also have learned the addresses of my favorite tellers, so I usually read their e-mails. Otherwise, one can spend hours reading. To find out how to subscribe to this list visit The Storytelling FAQ. You will also find answers to many storytelling questions, from what it is, how to do it, to more sophisticated questions and answers for the advanced storyteller.

Make the decision to get connected. You will be glad you did!

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Chris Recommends

Is it your dream to become a storyteller? If so, this Dream Jobs book is for you! It includes interviews of three working storytellers, the steps to take, along with a plethora of useful tips. If you'd like more information about "How to Get Started as a Professional Storyteller" and how to order your copy, just click on the above book cover or HERE.

And don't hesitate to send us your questions, comments, tips and suggestions. We welcome your FEEDBACK.

Improving Your Storytelling: Beyond the Basics for All Who Tell Aspiring storytellers will be pleased to know that Lipman's down-to-earth approach allows for flexibility rather than emphasis on memorization. The Way of the Storyteller Very few books on the art of storytelling have matched the scope and charm of this book by Ruth Sawyer. Your Mythic Journey: Finding Meaning in Your Life Through Writing and Storytelling This book offers readers the tools to detect the story line in their own lives and write and tell it in a step-by-step way, opening up a hidden world of self-discovery and meaning. The Storyteller’s Guide Each chapter includes a dozen or so expert storytellers sharing their opinions on a plethora of topics. The Power of Personal Storytelling: Spinning Tales to Connect Your mind wanders, until you hear the words, "I remember once when I was..." You become engrossed. A story unfolds. The Story Performance Handbook For teachers, librarians, parents, or clergy who wish to grow in competence and confidence. The Story Factor: Secrets of Influence from the Art of Storytelling Nearly everyone responds to a good yarn, and this precisely the point being made by Annette Simmons.