A Story for Everything - by Corey Rosen (Paperback)

About the Book

Learn how to tell your own stories in ways to help you get ahead in business, job interviews, or sales; to effectively teach any grade level; and to give a toast, a eulogy, or simply captivate the room you're in.

Book Synopsis

People forget facts and figures, but people never forget a good story.

In this standalone companion to Your Story, Well Told, author and The Moth StorySlams host Corey Rosen provides a practical, go-to guide on crafting and delivering impactful narratives for professional, academic, and personal success. Combining humor, heart, and advice, Rosen demystifies storytelling, making it accessible for beginners while enriching experienced storytellers.

Organized into three parts--business, school, and family--the book addresses diverse storytelling needs, from job interviews and persuasive pitches to college essays, eulogies, and wedding toasts. Each chapter features vivid examples and easy-to-follow exercises, helping readers tap into their life experiences and transform them into compelling stories. Through personal anecdotes and structured exercises, readers learn to reflect on their experiences, structure their stories effectively, and share them with authenticity.

Whether you're a doctor, teacher, salesman, parent, or a friend, A Story for Everything empowers you to elevate your communication and enrich your relationships. If you want to make an unforgettable impression, this book was made for you.

Review Quotes

Praise for Corey Rosen's Your Story, Well Told

"This book will help you to craft your memories with joy and art. Let Corey Rosen teach you how good-humored authentic story sharing, in any social and cultural context, beats those nasty public lying contests every time." --Nancy Mellon, healing storyteller, counselor, and author of Storytelling and the Art of Imagination and Healing Story

"Your Story, Well Told by Corey Rosen is an invitation to enter the theater of living story with a ticket already in your hand. Drawing from his impressive background in film, improv, and radio, Corey uses key techniques and the unbridled enthusiasm of a skilled storytelling coach to discover, refine, and tell your life story to the applause of one or thousands. Everyone has a story--Corey's storytelling guide offers proven tips, exercises, and expertise to showcase yours." --Kate Farrell, librarian, storyteller, and author of Story Power

"Corey Rosen's book is a great resource. I know I will return to it again and again for ideas, inspiration, and entertainment. It's like listening to a good story being told, while learning how to tell your own stories better." --Samantha Harris, cohost of Dancing with the Stars and Entertainment Tonight and author of Your Healthiest Healthy

"I believe you should read this book cover to cover and trust in Corey as your storytelling coach because of his twenty-plus years of dedication to story mastery as a performer and a teacher. This book is his life's work. The greatest thing I believe Corey's book can do for you is to give you the confidence to believe your stories are worth developing and sharing. Maybe one day you'll be sitting in a theater, watching your story as a movie, or perhaps you'll be on stage, holding people in the palm of your hands with three stories you're unfolding in the petal structure. The key is to believe in yourself." --Patrick Combs, writer, director, and star of Man 1, Bank 0

"Everyone is a storyteller; it's how we communicate, make friends, and go through life. But few of us would dare to tell a story in public for fear that it has to be a 'good' story. Corey's book demystifies everything. His book will help everyone have the confidence to share their story with the world. And the more we hear each other's stories, the better we'll understand each other. Get this book; give it to your kids and yourself." --William Hall, cofounder of BATS Improv. and author/editor of The Playbook: Improv Games for Performers

"I've known Corey Rosen since we were kids, and even back then, he had a remarkable ability to turn everyday moments into unforgettable stories. In A Story for Everything, Corey shares that gift--giving readers the tools to connect, inspire, and entertain. This book is like having Corey in the room with you--insightful, encouraging, and always full of heart." --Alex Kurtzman, cowriter of the scripts to Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2

"In A Story for Everything, Corey Rosen brings the same magic that made his storytelling workshop a highlight of our leadership offsite. His engaging techniques, interactive activities, and thoughtful insights helped our team connect, communicate, and even win over the most reluctant participants. This book is a must-read for product, marketing, and sales teams--or anyone looking to sharpen their storytelling skills and build stronger connections." --Anton Honikman, CEO of MyVest

"A Story for Everything is a terrific catalyst for telling your story where and when you need to connect and engage." --Dan O'Connor, author of Life Unscripted: Using Improv Principles to Get Unstuck, Boost Confidence, and Transform Your Life

"I've known Corey Rosen for years, and one of his gifts is storytelling. Another is his desire to help others do the same. We all know that the world is a better place when we can genuinely connect with each other. In A Story for Everything, Corey delivers practical tools that anyone can use to find their voice and tell their truth." --Jean Bolte, digital texture painter at Industrial Light & Magic

"Corey Rosen's A Story for Everything is a great guide for anyone looking to elevate their communication skills. His practical tools and engaging exercises make storytelling accessible for anyone preparing for a high-stakes talk. Corey's insights will help you craft authentic stories that speak to audiences where they are at, and deliver them with greater confidence and ease. Who doesn't want that?" --Jen Reidy, communications coach

"Corey Rosen's A Story for Everything is a joyful, practical guide to one of the most essential human skills: storytelling. Corey's approach helps people uncover meaning in everyday moments and turn them into tools for connection, empathy, and transformation. As a creative leader, educator, and champion of excellent communication, I see this book as an indispensable resource for anyone looking to inspire others, lead with authenticity, and navigate change with heart." --Suzanne Howard, founder of IDEO U, executive coach, and trainer

"Probably the most comprehensive book on storytelling ever written. Corey Rosen uses compelling personal stories to make his case. This is a reference book as well as a 'how to' book." --Patricia Ryan Madson, author of Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up

"Corey has given us a gift! Even if you appreciate the power of storytelling, it's tough to know how to develop your storytelling muscles. This book is loaded with tons of practical and fun 'workout tips' to help you develop your skills. Whether it's to get a job, do your job better, or give a toast at your sister's wedding, Corey helps show you the way. I love this book and you will, too." --John Kovacevich, founder and creative director at Agency SOS

"Corey Rosen is a skilled storyteller, improvisor, creator and teacher. He has combined his talents with humor, heart and clarity to give us a practical resource for ALL TYPES of stories. From pitches to bedtimes to toasts to meetings, there is something for everyone in A Story For Everything!" --Dan Klein, advanced lecturer, Stanford Department of Theater and Performance Studies, and lecturer of management, Stanford Graduate School of Business

"This isn't a book full of rules. It's a book full of doors. And every single one opens to a room full of people leaning in, because you finally found the words. Welcome to your new, wise, funny friend whispering in your ear, 'Here's how to say the thing you're scared to say.'" --Glynn Washington, host and founder of Snap Judgment

"A Story For Everything stands head and shoulders above other communication guides I've encountered in my years as an executive coach. This gem has revolutionized not only how I coach clients but how I communicate... I've seen remarkable results when applying these techniques: executives captivating boards, job candidates landing dream positions, and team leaders inspiring deeper connections. The story spine structure helped me craft a TED talk that was honored as an Editor's Pick... For anyone seeking to communicate more effectively, it's simply essential." --Jamie Woolf, former Director of Pixar University and CEO of Creativity-Partners

"As a speaking coach, I have found that clients often want to use the power of story when they speak. I have long needed a reference book I can go to and quickly find what I need. Author Corey Rosen has taken all of the important elements of story and divided them into easily digested categories. Need to create a story for a wedding toast? It's in here. Need to develop a story to close a business sale or inspire your team? Open this book. Need to tell your life story better to get that new job? Look no further. Corey takes you on an organized journey that allows you to do what you do best--creatively tell your story. The scaffolding in this book will support you and help you communicate your ideas better every time you speak." --Jo McGinley, speaking coach at 333-communications.com and author of Going Long: The Art of Longform Improvisation for Stage & Screen

"Stories are as old as spoken language. As a filmmaker, I am intimately familiar with the power of good storytelling. In A Story for Everything, Corey takes the power of the story and applies it to a variety of examples: wedding toasts, a eulogy, a job application, a Dear John letter. Corey blends practical advice with engaging anecdotes from a life of performance storytelling. I recommend A Story for Everything for anyone who wants to engage their audience of one or one thousand with confidence, humor and a story well told. Your audience will thank you." --Joe Johnston, film designer and director

"Corey's masterful stories have moved me for years. Thank god he finally wrote down his secrets." --Josh Levine, author of Great Mondays

"Corey Rosen has already proven himself to be a masterful storyteller, but in A Story For Everything, he takes it even further--demonstrating how storytelling can shape, influence, and elevate our everyday lives and relationships. This engaging read doesn't just teach you how to tell better stories--it equips you with the tools to ace that next job interview, build leadership skills, connect with loved ones, and so much more!" --Julie Krafchick, co-host of the hit podcast Dateable and co-author of the book How to Be Dateable: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Person & Falling in Love

"There's something for everyone in Corey Rosen's A Story For Everything. Whether you're speaking into a mic, delivering a keynote, or celebrating a loved one, this book offers tools and exercises for connecting with audiences and crafting meaningful, memorable stories." --Laura Joyce Davis, managing editor at the Stanford Storytelling Project, CEO of Narrative Podcasts, and executive producer of the award-winning podcast Shelter in Place

"As a rabbi, I have to be able to tell a story. What's the point of having a message if it can't land? Hands down, I've learned more about storytelling from Corey Rosen than any other teacher. His approach--simultaneously generous, incisive, and forgiving--works. It brings all kinds of truths to the widest possible audience, who then--can you believe it?--ask for more." --Noa Kushner, founding rabbi, The Kitchen (San Francisco)

"The ability to tell a fun, riveting story has been thought of as a 'gift, ' but it's actually a skill that can be learned and, in this book, Corey does a masterful job of making that skill of great storytelling accessible to everyone." --Paul Vaillancourt, author of The Triangle of the Scene and host of PVImprov on YouTube

"'Part I: Business Stories' alone makes this book invaluable. If you are applying for a job, if you work with people, or if you're a leader, Rosen's guidance in telling your stories will enrich your work relationships and create authentic success." --Rebecca Stockley, executive coach, improviser, and co-founder of BATS Improv

"Corey knows story. This brilliant second book picks up where Your Story, Well Told left off. There, we got skills to mine, craft, and share the stories from our own lives. Here, we learn how to use those stories in a bevy of practical, meaningful situations, from the interview room to the memorial service." --Ted DesMaisons, MBA, MTh, Stanford lecturer, author of Playful Mindfulness, and co-host of the Monster Baby Podcast

About the Author

Corey Rosen is a writer, actor, visual effects producer, and storytelling teacher based in San Francisco, California. He hosts The Moth StorySlams and GrandSlams, and has been featured on The Moth Radio Hour, Alice Radio's The Sarah and Vinnie Show, and KFOG's The Finch Files Podcast. Corey is a performer at BATS Improv, one of the world's foremost centers for Improvisational Theater and is the author of Your Story, Well Told: Creative Strategies to Develop and Perform Stories that Wow an Audience.