Story SLAM & Fundraiser
Friday, April 25th,
Event @ 6:30pm
Doors @ 5:30pm
@ Paulina Springs Books
Storytelling Theme: Fresh
Tickets: $10 ~ All proceeds support Sisters Festival of Books
Join us for an evening of storytelling and fundraising for Sisters Festival of Books!
This live storytelling competition invites ten brave souls to step up and share their personal, unscripted tales in front of a supportive audience. No notes, no filters—just you, a mic, and your story.
Come to tell a story or just to listen. Laugh, gasp, and maybe even tear up as we explore what it means to begin again, see the world differently, or take a chance on something unknown. The night's theme is "Fresh"...fresh starts, fresh perspectives, fresh disasters, fresh food, or whatever creative spin our storytellers can put on "fresh."
If you would like to share a story, please review the info below and then fill out the registration form on this page. Sign-ups are open until end of day, Wednesday, April 23rd. Prizes include a night stay at Suttle Lake Lodge and more! Check out the “How it Works” section below for more info.
*Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available through Paulina Springs Books.
**All ages are welcome at this event, please be aware that stories shared may contain adult content.
buy Tickets
Sign up to tell a story
Sign-ups are open until end of day, Wednesday, April 23rd.
How it Works
Ten storytelling slots will be filled at random the night of the event by drawing names out of a hat.
To sign up for the drawing, please fill out the form at the top of this page.
Please note that you must still purchase a ticket to the event!
The audience will have scorecards and vote for their three favorite stories at the end of the evening.
Prizes include a one night stay at Suttle Lake Lodge and more!
The storyteller with the most votes will get their choice of prize pool, followed by second and third place.
This is not a Moth StorySLAM event, but they were very generous in letting us use their language and guidelines for our event. If you’re looking for inspiration or to understand more about what a StorySLAM entails, check out their website.
Do’s and Don’ts
DO
Tell a TRUE STORY. This StorySLAM is strictly nonfiction.
Tell a story that is ON THEME. The theme for this StorySLAM is “Stranger than Fiction.” We encourage you to interpret this theme in as creative a way as you’d like, but the story you’ve prepared should be intrinsically related to the theme for the evening.
Tell a story that has STAKES. A story needs action and the action must have consequences. What is gained or lost? What is the urgency? What is the conflict? What is the goal and who or what is blocking it? How did the trip from Point A to Point B change or shape you?
Tell a story that is YOURS. Were you there? Are you one of the “main characters”? Your involvement in the events as they unfold is essential. No journalism.
Tell a story WITHOUT NOTES. We encourage you to fine tune your story as much as possible beforehand, but stories must be told without notes or reference on stage.
Tell a story that that is ON TIME. SLAM stories should be 5 minutes long, plus a one minute grace period.
DON’T
Please don’t caricature or “explain” a culture that is not your own (e.g., putting on fake accents or telling us about the “customs” of a community you don’t belong to).
Please don’t make another person’s identity (class, gender, race, orientation, body type, etc.) the punchline… or the storyline. Your story, your struggles.
Please don’t use another’s identity as a prop or plot point. If you choose to include another person’s race, orientation, physical appearance or able-bodiedness, be sure that it is intrinsic to the story.
Please don’t celebrate unwanted sexual advances in your story.
And of course, never use racial slurs or hate speech.
If your story suffers from any of these problems, please go back to the drawing board. We promise your story will be better for it!
Financial Accessibility Statement
Sisters Festival of Books charges admission for festival tickets for the sustainability of the organization and to raise funds for the local literacy initiatives we support. However, we believe that everyone should have access to the arts and community gatherings.
If cost is a barrier to your participation in the festival, please contact us HERE with the event you would like to attend and we will make it happen, no questions asked!