{"id":14545,"date":"2025-03-07T13:54:16","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T13:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/?p=14545"},"modified":"2025-03-10T13:59:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T13:59:42","slug":"tell-us-your-favorite-books-storytelling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niemanstoryboard.org\/2025\/03\/07\/tell-us-your-favorite-books-storytelling\/","title":{"rendered":"Tell us your favorite books on storytelling"},"content":{"rendered":" \n
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Sign up for the Nieman Storyboard newsletter,<\/em><\/a> delivered every Friday in your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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***<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Dear Storyboard community, <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Before officially joining Storyboard as editor, I went back to read the Nieman Foundation’s original book on the craft of narrative nonfiction, “Telling True Stories.”<\/a> Edited by Mark Kramer and Wendy Call, the book includes timeless advice on reporting and storytelling from Lane DeGregory<\/a> (“talk to strangers”), to Isabel Wilkerson<\/a> (“there is a tremendous power differential between the reporter and the ordinary individuals we write about”), to Katherine Boo<\/a> (“you will make a thousand moral decisions in the course of reporting and writing each story”).  <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Many books have shaped my own understanding of story. Jack Hart’s “Storycraft”<\/a> showed me what’s possible in journalism, and reminds us to consider when we *shouldn’t* use narrative in our work<\/a>. More recently, “Storyworthy,”<\/a> by Moth StorySLAM champion Matthew Dicks, helped me break down stories to a more conversational level \u2014 how we connect through stories at the dinner table. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Now it’s your turn. Storyboard contributor Mallary Tenore Tarpley<\/a> is gathering an ultimate list of books on storytelling, and we’d love your recommendations \u2014 journalism, screenwriting, podcasting, we want all of it. Email us at editor@niemanstoryboard.org<\/a> to tell us what you love and what you’ve learned. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Learning about narrative from Broadway musicals<\/a><\/h2>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\"Audra<\/a>
Audra McDonald in “Gypsy.” (Photo by Julieta Cervantes.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> \n
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Then there’s the storytelling delivered from the stage. This week, we’re joined by new Storyboard contributor Kara Cutruzzula<\/a>, who writes about using her journalism and editing experience to try her hand at writing musicals. Here’s what she learned along the way.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Subscribe to Storyboard<\/h2>\n \n
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Get insights into the craft of journalism and storytelling in your inbox, delivered on Fridays.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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Links of Note <\/h2>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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