Storyteller Harlynne Geisler
http://storyteller.swiftsite.com
858-569-9399 storybag[a]juno.com

Introduction.....xv
PART 1—THE STORYTELLING PROFESSION
Chapter 1—Learning to Be the Best You Can Be.....1
Drawing the Dragon.....1
What Is Storytelling?.....2
Where Are Stories Told?.....4
Becoming a Storyteller.....5
Getting Started.....6
Hitting the Bull's-Eye.....7
Learning from Others.....8
Resources.....10
Notes.....13
Chapter 2—Performing.....14
Organizing Your Shows into Themes.....14
Building a Repertoire.....16
Building an Audience.....16
Set the Stage and Begin the Show.....16
You'll Be Sorry: A Texas Tale.....20
Costumes.....21
Resources.....22
Chapter 3—Being Professional.....25
Prepare Yourself for a Show or Workshop.....25
Prepare Your Bookers for a Show or Workshop.....26
Prepare Your Audiences for a Show or Workshop.....27
Prepare the Performance Area for a Show or Workshop.....29
Show Up on Time.....29
Follow Up Bookings with Thank-You Notes.....29
Stick to Your Artistic and Professional Standards.....30
Resources.....30
PART 2—TAPPING THE MARKETS
Chapter 4—Selling Storytelling.....31
Little Money, Lots of Choices.....31
Why Bother? The Experts Give Reasons for Telling Stories.....32
What You Can Do in the Schools.....35
What You Can Do in Libraries.....35
Resources.....36
Notes.....36
Chapter 5—Becoming Known and Being Remembered.....37
One Rainy Night: An Urban Legend.....37
Establishing Your Niche.....38
Promotional Materials.....39
The Media.....44
In-Person Promotions.....48
Less Familiar Publicity Routes.....50
Go Get Your Audience.....51
Resources.....52
Notes.....53
Chapter 6—Getting Hired.....54
Reasons to Hire You.....54
Questions You Should Be Ready to Answer Before the Booker Hires You.....56
Questions You Should Ask.....56
Know Your Competition.....57
How Can Bookers Hire You If They Can't Find You?.....57
Turning Down Bookings.....58
Sell Now for Later.....58
Resources.....58
Chapter 7—Planning School Bookings.....59
What to Do First.....59
Create School Packets Ahead of Time.....59
Make Contacts.....60
When You Get a Call.....60
Get Ready.....62
Resources.....63
Chapter 8—Special Projects: Workshops, Concerts, and Tapes.....65
Workshops and Classes.....65
Concerts.....68
Tapes.....70
Creating an Audiotape or Videocassette: The Voices of Experience.....70
Resources.....72
PART 3—THE BUSINESS OF STORYTELLING
Chapter 9—Money.....76
Set Reasonable Fees.....76
Where Will They Find Money to Pay You?.....78
How to Charge.....78
Fees in General.....80
Not Being Paid.....81
IRS Deductions.....81
Performance and Pay.....82
Resources.....82
Notes.....82
Chapter 10—Contracts and Agreements.....83
A Sample Contract.....84
Videotaping or Audiotaping Requests.....86
Resources.....87
Chapter 11—Organizing Your Time, Your Office, and Your Research.....88
Setting Goals.....88
Making Time.....90
Discipline.....90
Organizing Your Office.....91
Organizing Your Research.....93
Resources.....95
PART 4—SITUATIONS REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTION
Chapter 12—Preventing and Solving Problems.....96
The Tale of the Wise Fool.....96
One Show—Preparation vs. Reality.....97
Handling Challenges.....98
Telling in Potentially Difficult Settings.....102
Scheduling Your Show.....105
What Else?.....105
Resources.....105
Notes.....106
Chapter 13—When It's Your Fault and Other Problems.....107
Being Late; What a Week!.....107
Getting Lost.....108
Forgetting a Show.....108
Voice Problems.....108
Sickness.....109
Nervousness, Anger, Depression, Physical Discomfort.....109
Preventing and Coping with Storyteller Burnout.....109
Resources.....113
Chapter 14—Only You Can Answer: Questions About Prejudice, Fear, Censorship, and Stories.....114
The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey: An Aesop's Fable Retold.....114
Why Do You Tell Stories?.....115
How Do I Show Respect to Other Storytellers?.....116
How Do Your Stories Portray Other Cultures?.....117
Researching Stories from Other Cultures.....117
Adapting Folktales.....118
Stereotypes of Women and Men in Stories.....119
Should I Tell Traditional Tales About Evil Stepmothers?.....119
Objections: One Experience.....121
Disaster Preparedness.....122
The Fearful Child.....123
Last Words.....124
Resources.....124
Appendix A—Hire the Pros: How to Host a Freelance Storyteller at Your School or Library.....129
Appendix B—Resources.....135
Index.....139
About the Author.....151

I no longer sell this book by mail, but you can still order it by going to the publisher's website at www.lu.com.

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