Author Interview: Corey Rosen on Writing A Story for Everything

When I began working on A Story for Everything, I wanted to create a book that would meet people in the real moments where storytelling actually matters. Not just on a stage or in a performance setting, but in everyday life. As a longtime host of The Moth StorySlams and someone who has taught storytelling for years, I’ve seen how powerful personal stories can be. I’ve also seen how many people doubt they have anything worth sharing.

Part of my mission with this book is to show people that they do. Everyone has a story for everything. Sometimes they just need a little help uncovering it.

Why I Wrote This Book

This book is a standalone companion to my earlier work, Your Story, Well Told, but the intention behind it is different. I wanted to make a practical guide that people could return to whenever they face a situation that calls for clarity, empathy, and connection. Whether it is a job interview, a college essay, a meaningful family moment, or a big presentation at work, clarity and authenticity make all the difference.

I wrote this book for people at every level of storytelling. Beginners who want simple steps. Experienced storytellers who want to deepen their voice. And everyone in between who knows they have something to say but needs help bringing it to life.

A Story for Every Part of Life

I decided to organize the book into three sections: business, school, and family. These are the places where we communicate the most and feel the most pressure to get it right.

In business, stories help us lead, persuade, influence, and connect. In the school setting, stories help students express who they are and help teachers communicate ideas in memorable ways. In family life, storytelling becomes something much more emotional. Wedding toasts, eulogies, heartfelt conversations, and moments where we try to make sense of who we are and where we come from.

I want readers to feel equipped for all of it.

My Approach to Teaching Storytelling

Every chapter includes examples and small exercises because storytelling gets better with practice. I love helping people dig into their memories and discover moments they may have overlooked. Often, it is the smallest moments that carry the most meaning.

I also share personal stories throughout the book because I believe modeling honesty makes it easier for others to do the same. Storytelling is not about being dramatic. It is about being human.

Who I Hope Reads This Book

I wrote this for anyone who wants to communicate with more heart and intention. Doctors, teachers, parents, salespeople, students, friends. Anyone who wants to leave a meaningful impression. Anyone who hopes to understand themselves a little better. Anyone who wants to connect more deeply with the people around them.

If you want to enrich your relationships, sharpen your communication, and feel more confident in sharing who you are, this book was created with you in mind.

What I Hope Readers Take Away

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of hosting, teaching, coaching, and listening to thousands of stories, it’s this: people already have more stories than they think. What they often need is simply a clear, human, usable way to shape them. That’s what I hope this book becomes for readers—a practical companion for real life.

Curious about the ideas, experiences, and behind-the-scenes moments that shaped A Story for Everything Do you want to hear directly from me about why I wrote the book, how storytelling became my life’s work, and what I hope readers gain from it?

In the interview below, I open up about the origins of the book, my early storytelling influences, my journey to The Moth, and the stories that continue to teach me.

If you’d like to go deeper into the creative process and hear the full conversation, keep reading and enjoy the complete interview here at the Hasty Book List: https://www.hastybooklist.com/blog/author-interview-corey-rosen