What are some great joke books, written with attention to the craft of how a joke or story is told? [more inside]
posted by surenoproblem on Oct 20, 2009 - 5 answers

Have you been conned? Would you share your story? [more inside]
posted by Wink Ricketts on Oct 16, 2009 - 85 answers

On Tuesday I'll be showing a new arrival to New York City around for an hour or so in the late afternoon. He's interested in the city's history, particularly the Bowery/Lower East Side. He has seen all the major tourist stops and I'm completely ignorant of the latest cool/interesting/weird spots downtown and most places have the lifespan of mayflies. Any ideas on how to prepare an awesome, emergency walking tour? [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Oct 11, 2009 - 12 answers

Are there any stories of people notable/talented/successful in their field who started out being completely crap? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Oct 5, 2009 - 32 answers

I'm looking for the title of an action/adventure short story collection that I read in middle school (early 90s). It included The Most Dangerous Game and Leningen Versus the Ants. [more inside]
posted by anonymous78 on Oct 2, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm looking for blogs about psychology, storytelling, emotions, why people do the things they do, the human condition, or just good blogs with people's stories. [more inside]
posted by salvia on Oct 2, 2009 - 7 answers

Looking for suggestions for stories, novels, or comics in the vein of Mervyn Peake and China Mieville. [more inside]
posted by Ritchie on Sep 28, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm trying to remember a folktale (Possibly of native American origin) about how someone (I'm pretty sure it was a trickster figure) got to be keeper of the worlds stories. [more inside]
posted by emperor.seamus on Sep 23, 2009 - 5 answers

There is a literary journal currently asking for a $1 "handling fee" to fast-track submitted stories. Is this okay? What really, is the point of asking for a dollar?
posted by uans on Aug 22, 2009 - 20 answers

DatingFilter: Should I leave ex-boyfriends out of the story of my life when dating new people, even if the exes figure prominently? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 21, 2009 - 25 answers

I want to get a story on This American Life. I would like some help. [more inside]
posted by orville sash on Jul 18, 2009 - 8 answers

It's probably a long shot, but I'm looking for an old (1980s or older) children's Bible story book I had when I was a kid. I can't quite recall the name, but it might have been called something like "The Children's Bible Story Book." What I remember most about it were the awesome illustrations. Can anyone help? [more inside]
posted by katillathehun on Jul 13, 2009 - 27 answers

Looking for a story someone wrote about "falling through the cracks" while working at a large company. I think what happened is he was to be reassigned to a new team, but the assignment never actually happened; he just kept showing up to work, kept getting paid, and got into all sorts of stuff trying to stay under the radar. [more inside]
posted by downing street memo on Jul 1, 2009 - 16 answers

I demand to know your favorite short story anthologies. [more inside]
posted by zoomorphic on Jun 23, 2009 - 30 answers

It's summertime and that means detective stories. I've read ALL of Simenon, Agatha Christie (Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot), Dorothy Sayers, John Sandford, Denise Hamilton, Lee Child, Edward Wright, Henning Mankell. Tried but didn't like Tony Hillerman. Any suggestions for another engaging series? Thanks.
posted by holdenjordahl on Jun 8, 2009 - 63 answers

How often are the stories of a comic, novel, play, TV series, movie, or song conceived by the writer's friend, relative, acquaintance, neighbor, mailman, dog, etc? [more inside]
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing on May 28, 2009 - 14 answers

I had a book (not a picture book) as a kid that was titled something like 'The Greatest Man in the World' or 'The Greatest Man that Ever Lived', and it was a collection of stories that were like fairy tales, or fables. [more inside]
posted by Zaire on May 13, 2009 - 5 answers

How do different news media (radio vs. television) end up doing the same news stories? [more inside]
posted by Hanuman1960 on May 6, 2009 - 10 answers

Emergency Research Materials Needed: Due to not being an adult about things I now have to write a quick story set during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. And I have to finish it by Sunday. Yes, I've already read Wikipedia. [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Apr 28, 2009 - 12 answers

Is it possible to write a story with no hint whatsoever of any other being but one? [more inside]
posted by dnial on Apr 23, 2009 - 22 answers

I am writing an article on people who expose an aspect of their identity that is not-accepted by their larger group and are sanctioned for it. But, I need some individual stories so that I can show that people have been sanctioned for being different and trying to create change before. I know this is a common theme in literature, but finding people who failed to make significant change is difficult. [more inside]
posted by elationfoundation on Apr 22, 2009 - 14 answers

Is there a book or museum or resource that specifically lists the stories of people who survived in Lifeboats? [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 on Apr 21, 2009 - 4 answers

Have any of these books changed your life? [more inside]
posted by SinisterPurpose on Apr 15, 2009 - 55 answers

If you could plan a high school course introducing freshmen to the short story, what stories would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by John of Michigan on Apr 4, 2009 - 72 answers

I want a book that I have to put into the freezer. I've read this question, which was looking for thrillers, and this post looking for short stories, but I can't seem to find a thread looking for scary, engrossing novels where supernatural is okay. [more inside]
posted by Addlepated on Mar 31, 2009 - 31 answers

I work in a library. We have storytime and baby's rhymes for toddlers and infants. Unfortunately I hate singing. But I have a good attitude and I'm willing to get in there. Please, librarians and parents everywhere - what are your best rhymes/songs that require a minimum of singing!? Other ideas for interactive things to add to my storytimes would be good too! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 31, 2009 - 12 answers

How can I minimize the effects horror stories have on me? [more inside]
posted by Phire on Mar 14, 2009 - 27 answers

I'd like recommendations for short stories that are strange, humorous, or have a surprising twist. [more inside]
posted by Rinku on Mar 8, 2009 - 56 answers

John Updike's death reminded me that I have a book of his short stories. Which ones should I read first? [more inside]
posted by ocherdraco on Jan 30, 2009 - 9 answers

Excellent short reading? [more inside]
posted by btkuhn on Jan 29, 2009 - 10 answers

I love me some arcs. Please share your favorite TV shows that offer really good story arcs. Leaning towards mystery and sci-fi. I'd prefer shows that feature "factual accuracy" within the context of the show. [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious on Dec 28, 2008 - 75 answers

I'm looking for blogs talking about the daily life of someone with a job (or other life experience) that I don't have (and that is interesting). I want stories the layperson can relate to, not minutiae for the people already in the field. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by kingjoeshmoe on Dec 15, 2008 - 36 answers

Bookfilter: I am trying to remember a story. It is either a short story, or the epilogue of a book. I am 90% certain it was written by Isaac Asimov. [more inside]
posted by judge.mentok.the.mindtaker on Nov 16, 2008 - 9 answers

What are your favorite anecdotes? I am hosting a party this weekend with a diverse group of people and wouldn't mind adding a few interesting or humorous stories to the evening. I am not looking for jokes. Anecdotes I like are the bench-pressing snowman, Cialdini's mispriced jewelry, and Benjamin Franklin's chess game.
posted by kaizen on Nov 13, 2008 - 9 answers

Suggest some magazines which publish short stories and poetry that are not stuffy and pretentious. Also, any science fiction magazines that are worth reading would be greatly appreciated as well. [more inside]
posted by scarello on Nov 4, 2008 - 9 answers

Do you know of anyone, yourself included, who has actually made significant positive in terms of optimism, discipline, and ambition? How did this happen? [more inside]
posted by mjewkes on Oct 27, 2008 - 13 answers

I am looking for poems, anectotes and short stories online which celebrate dogs and their friendship. This is to cheer my boyfriend, whose family's pet who is very ill. [more inside]
posted by Sijeka on Oct 22, 2008 - 13 answers

Help! I need to find a collection of short, scary stories for my junior high school students! [more inside]
posted by I_love_the_rain on Oct 19, 2008 - 19 answers

This post reminded me of something I needed to ask. -> What are some good books to read to kids, for those of us who are not very good at (or comfortable with) being characters or using different voices? Surely there are some librarians on Ask Mefi that have experience with storytime? [more inside]
posted by nomnomnom on Oct 19, 2008 - 12 answers

I'm looking for werewolf literature. Any fiction with a halfway decent plot. Novels, short stories, folklore. Comics or graphic novels also okay. [more inside]
posted by Ritchie on Oct 16, 2008 - 38 answers

I’m looking for books/stories where the main character lives a vast amount of time. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by GregWithLime on Aug 19, 2008 - 63 answers

I am trying to get a better understanding of Kate Chopin's "The Awakening" **Spoiler Alert** [more inside]
posted by madmamasmith on Jul 28, 2008 - 13 answers

Desperate to locate collection of short stories, with a variety of themes, including fantasy, sci fi, and straight ahead spy/espionage, all by the same author. I read this in the early 80's, but seem to remember the book being older - possibly 1960's? One of the stories was about an alien (also I think capable of shape shifting?) immortal vampire, being chased through the galaxies and who eventually crash-lands on an uninhabited planet. Because he can't die, and being a vampire he is doomed to a horrible fate, as the planet has no night period.
posted by ricardo on Jul 21, 2008 - 9 answers

What is the title of this short story? Author? Any hints? About a boy and his younger brother (more detailed description of the story follows) [more inside]
posted by jujube on Jul 20, 2008 - 2 answers

What are some good sci fi novels/short stories that focus on robots? Difficulty: no Asimov. [more inside]
posted by olinerd on Jul 19, 2008 - 23 answers

Last night, I spent an hour reading the crazy, hilarious stories posted here. One hour was not enough. I need more davesecretaryatwork - or at least, more like him. [more inside]
posted by yeoja on May 19, 2008 - 24 answers

Help me find the origin of the joke/song/story "Missing My Son" as told by Tom Waits. [more inside]
posted by Xurando on May 18, 2008 - 4 answers

Recommendations/sources for good erotic writing? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 1, 2008 - 16 answers

If you please—I urgently require a few good recommendations of novels that have India as a backdrop. [more inside]
posted by hadjiboy on Jan 13, 2008 - 55 answers

I'm looking for a series of hardback science fiction anthologies I dimly remember from childhood (sometime in the mid 80s). I think it had a one word title with a number, and the series went up to at least number five. I remember two stories in particular... [more inside]
posted by Artw on Jan 13, 2008 - 11 answers