The Howl Story Slam

True stories, told locally 

See upcoming Howl Story Slams on our Events page

What is a story slam?

It’s a live, spirited storytelling competition. Storytellers (anyone can sign up!) take the stage to tell a true story in under 5 minutes. Judges (2-3 audience members) score the stories, and at the end of the night, a winner is announced. All winners are invited to our annual Grand Slam at the end of the year.

The Howl Story Slam team is a partnership between Adirondack Center for Writing and North Country Public Radio, two organizations that believe in the power of stories.

Tips for Storytellers

  • Practice, practice, practice.
  • True stories, told without notes. This includes scribbles on the back of your hands, our judges have great eyesight.
  • Your audience is brilliant and easily distracted, jump right into the action of your story.
  • Practice your story as much as possible, in the bathroom, during your morning commute, in line for coffee. By the time you arrive at the The Howl Story Slam, you’ll be cool as a cucumber.
  • Leave the rants and stand-up routines at home. Bits and pieces of each are welcome, but use humor and rants sparingly.
  • Show up and put your name in the hat. When your name is called, you’ve got five minutes to tell your tale.
  • Storytellers will be judged on the stories relevance to the night’s theme, a story with a conflict and resolution, and staying in the time limit.

Howl Grand Story Slam

The greatest story showdown between regional winners throughout the year. Selected by peers from the audience at each Howl Story Slam throughout the year, first place winners are invited to compete in an epic story showdown to celebrate another year of stories.

Howl Grand Story Slam Winners

Season 6 – “Heroes & Villians” – Winner: Carter Rowley, Saranac Lake
Season 5 – “Close Encounters” – Winner: Aaron Todd, Canton
Season 4 – ”Fish Out of Water” – Winner: Noel Carmichael, Lake Placid
Season 3 – “The Holidays” – Winner: Deirdre Loftus, Upper Jay
Season 2 – “Skeletons in My Closet” – Winner: Steve Baratta, Glens Falls
Season 1 – “Missed Opportunity” – Winner: Rob Carr, Saranac Lake