One Week to Go(!) and Prep for the First Show

It feels crazy, in a very good way, that in just one week, we’ll be gathering together at Gulu-Gulu Cafe for our first Salem Story Series show! (!!!!)

I’ve had dreams — many, in fact — where my sleepy brain is running through all of the possible outcomes. In most of them, I’m standing in an empty room holding a microphone, smiling into a blinding spotlight. In others, I’m doing my level best to beg a stoic audience to put their names into the hat. These particular dreams generally involve me doing backflips, magic tricks, and/or pleading-on-my-knees, none of which I’ve ever had to do in previous storytelling roles, but tell that to my subconscious.

So you know, totally normal one-week-until-showtime stuff.

If I were listening to someone else’s anxiety dreams, I’d try to remind them that these fears just mean we care, and boy oh boy, do I care!

What’s in store (and the things I’m still prepping)

I took for granted that when I helped run events like these before, the organizations were already very established. Their newsletter email lists were MASSIVE, they had all the in-person materials worked out already, they had legions of social media followers, and they had a small army of volunteers who could step in at any minute if the main MC couldn’t make it.

But this time, it’s all me! I’ve found myself surging awake in the middle of the night to add things to my growing to-do list (if you’ve ever watched Gilmore Girls, it’s felt very much like when Lorelei’s opening the Dragonfly). It feels good this way, though. Appropriate, in a way.

Here’s a small list of things I’m still thinking about before the big day:

• Spreading the word on social media: This one’s sort of easy for me, but only because it was once my full-time job. Marketing is in me, and so while there’s always more to do on that front, it feels like it’s humming along.
• Creating in-person materials for would-be storytellers: I have a few table tents and instruction leaflets in the works so that people who’ve never done this before have a little how-to guide available at every table.
• Building an A-frame: I’m NOT good with hammers, but we’re going to make it work. This A-frame will hopefully be with me for a long while, too, so I’m aiming for sturdiness and functional…ness.
• Collaborating with Salem community members: These kinds of events do the best when it feels shared by a broader group, and I’m hoping that over time, it isn’t just “my” event anymore. Everyone’s a storyteller! All I’m doing is creating the stage. I’ve been trying to connect more Salemmites to the vision so that more of us are working toward getting the show off the ground.
• Stickers and t-shirts! I’ll have them for sale at the show. You’ll be able to take a piece of Salem Story Series with you into the world!

What can you do to help?

Spread the word! If you know you want to come and you’re planning to tell a story, see if your friends and family can come support you, too. It’s always more fun to tell a story on stage when you’ll have your people in the audience to cheer you on.

Reach out if you’re on the fence. I’ve noticed that when I ask people directly if they’re planning on telling a story, the answer is a wavering “maybe.” I TOTALLY get that. I still hesitate when I’m asked to tell a story. What typically helps: chatting out my story with someone else. I’m happy to be a resource for you if you know you want to tell a story, but you’re worried you’re not prepared/can’t figure out how to start it/worried about stage fright.

Interact with the Salem Story Series accounts. You’ve heard it before, and I’m sorry to reinforce the ugly truth about marketing in 2026: engagement matters. If you happen to be on Instagram or Facebook, and you’re invested in helping Salem Story Series grow, please consider liking, commenting, and/or sharing the posts you see zip through your feed. Every interaction helps!

• Instagram
• Facebook

I’m collecting ideas!

This is an all-the-time sort of thing, but wanted to highlight it here: if you’re super jazzed about Salem Story Series and you have ideas for how we can make this a successful event, please let me know!