The Story Biz Handbook: How to Manage Your Storytelling Career from the Desk to the Stage [Paperback]

Dianne de Las Casas (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1591587301 | ISBN-13: 978-1591587309 | Publication Date: September 30, 2008

Beginning with wonderful tips and advice about the art and presentation of storytelling, this is a complete resource about how to build a storytelling career. Storytellers come to their careers centered on the stories they love and soon realize that in order to make a living at what they love, they must build a business. This in-depth book tells them just how and what to do in every detail from choosing a sound system to building a Web site to using podcasts and setting up an office. There is even a chapter on how to plan for retirement. Each chapter is a story in itself, beginning and ending with different traditional folktale openings and closings.

This dynamite book merges the yin and yang of storytelling and business. Beginning with wonderful tips and advice about the art and presentation of storytelling, it is a complete resource about how to build a storytelling career. Storytellers come to their careers centered on the stories they love and soon realize that in order to make a living at what they love, they must build a business. This in-depth book tells them just how and what to do in every detail from choosing a sound system to building a Web site to using podcasts and setting up an office. There is even a chapter on how to plan for retirement. Each chapter is a story in itself, beginning and ending with different traditional folktale openings and closings. Resource lists and tried and true ideas abound as the author shares her marketing and business success story throughout.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This dynamite book merges the yin and yang of storytelling and business. Beginning with wonderful tips and advice about the art and presentation of storytelling, this is a complete resource about how to build a storytelling career.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591587301
• ISBN-13: 978-1591587309
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,780,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dianne de Las Casas is an author and award-winning storyteller who tours internationally presenting programs, educator/librarian training, workshops and artist residencies. Her performances, dubbed "traditional folklore gone fun" and "revved-up storytelling" are full of energetic audience participation. Dianne's professional books include Story Fest: Crafting Story Theater Scripts; Kamishibai Story Theater: The Art of Picture Telling; Handmade Tales: Stories to Make and Take; Tangram Tales: Story Theater Using the Ancient Chinese Puzzle, The Story Biz Handbook, and Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill. Her children's books include The Cajun Cornbread Boy, Madame Poulet & Monsieur Roach, and Mama's Bayou. Visit her website at http://www.storyconnection.net.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful information packed resource!, February 16, 2010

By 

Terrence Roberts ""Da Story Weaver"" (MERIDIAN, MS, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story Biz Handbook: How to Manage Your Storytelling Career from the Desk to the Stage (Paperback)

As a storyteller who recently turned professional, this book is a God send. I have just produced my first CD recording, and Diane has a chapter on Audio recording. It provided me with a step by step method of marketing and distributing... right when I needed it. The great thing about the book is the chapters can be read indepentent of the other chapters, just turn to the subject you need and read. I would recommend this book to every storyteller or performing artist.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom and experience in one accessible handbook, August 1, 2009

By 

F. S. Dowler "Musical Storyteller" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Story Biz Handbook: How to Manage Your Storytelling Career from the Desk to the Stage (Paperback)

Beginning storytelling professionals are lucky, because they get to start out fresh with de Las Casas' detailed, thorough handbook to help them figure out what they want to do with their storytelling businesses. I would have loved to have had this book when I officially started my part-time storytelling business 3 years ago (after having spent the previous 9 years telling stories in library and bookstore settings). Still, I'm thankful to have it now. It's helping me to rethink my current sound system setup plus marketing strategies. The book brought up little things that should have occured to me, but didn't. For example, it's an excellent idea to have one's name with phoentic pronunciation and a short introductory sentence to give to presenters.

I am thankful that this book exists! I own a copy, and refer to it regularly.

5.0 out of 5 stars Storytellers Need This Book, December 12, 2008

By 

Bob Linsenmayer "Singing Storyteller" (SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Story Biz Handbook: How to Manage Your Storytelling Career from the Desk to the Stage (Paperback)

Every full-time and part-time storyteller would benefit greatly by having this book on hand. It presents a complete guide to being successful as a storyteller. I wish it had been available when I first began storytelling in schools, libraries and festivals a dozen years ago. It is a source of everything you need to know in order to work as a professional storyteller.