Corey Rosen
Author Interview - Corey Rosen
Author of A Story for Everything: Mastering Diverse Storytelling for Any Occasion
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.
Author Interview - Corey Rosen
Author I draw inspiration from:
I finally read Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird" this year and it lit up every part of me. Love the way she weaves personal storytelling with the craft of writing and storytelling.
Author Interview - Corey Rosen | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
I love to sit in my garden in San Francisco and read while my 2 cats (Luna and Everley) chase the clever, teasing hummingbirds that torture them.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
I just read "Harold" by comic Steven Wright. I would love to be trapped in an elevator with Harold and have a long conversation about the minutiae of his third-grade, 1960s life. I believe the time would fly as he pondered the mysteries of his little universe.
Author Interview - Corey Rosen | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I wrote my first "book" in third grade - a comic co-authored with my best friend who loved to draw airplanes. It took me nearly 40 years to write my next one, but the way it happened was very organic. I didn't write the book as much as the book seemed like it needed to be written. And that has made a big difference in how and when and where I write.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardback books are my go-to if I have the option. There is power and possibility in a hard-bound book. Paperbacks are the on-the-go choice. Lugging my handback book on an airplane feels excessive. I'm not really an e-book reader but I find audiobooks a great option for non-fiction and learning. I loved listening to audiobooks of Robert Cialdini's "Influence" and Angus Fletcher's "Wonderworks: The 25 Most Powerful Inventions in the History of Literature".
The last book I read:
I just finished "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou. The poetry and power of Angelou's first memoir are so impactful. Should be required reading for any memoir writer.
Author Interview - Corey Rosen | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
I have an unconventional writing style. I often find the blank page to be intimidating, both in my journal and my laptop screen. I have no such blocks when I am speaking. Whether it is out loud into my phone's voice memos or in conversation with a trusted friend or family member, I "write" my best first drafts out loud, before then sitting down and writing what I remember from those "sessions." It's a process that has served me well to get rid of the procrastination instinct that stopped me from starting to write for years. Most importantly, this process has allowed me to feel less self-conscious in the initial writing, since I'm simply speaking it out loud - it's easily "disposable" and so it's freeing to explore the ideas (good and bad) so that once I've written then down they've gone through at least one cognitive filtering process.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
I felt a strong connection and emotional attachment to Matilda Wormwood the first time I read Roald Dahl's Matilda. I think she and I both use stories and storytelling to unlock courage and possibility. We would get along well.
Author Interview - Corey Rosen | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
My first career was in Visual Effects and Animation, working on giant blockbuster movies like the Star Wars prequels, and ride films shown in Theme Parks around the world. The process of creating anything you can imagine, with miniatures, puppets, or animation is as enjoyable to me as my work as an author, because it's a collaborative process.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
In my personal fashion history, I still look back fondly at the mall-attire I rocked through the 1980s. I was parachute-pants and zipper-jacket wearing middle schooler who thought he was pretty cool. (He wasn't).
Place I’d most like to travel:
I've never been to Greece and would love to. It's the birthplace of myths. I’d love to walk the same landscapes where people first spun tales of gods, heroes, and monsters; stories that still shape us today. I'm also in need of a visit to Ireland, where storytelling is practically a national sport. I’d love to sit in a pub, hear folktales, and trade stories with locals until the music takes over.
My signature drink:
My current fave is the Black Manhattan, a variation of the classic Manhattan, replacing sweet vermouth with an amaro liqueur, which gives the drink a darker color and a more herbal, bitter, and complex flavor.
Favorite artist:
That's a tough question. My favorite artist is anyone who can turn the messy stuff of life into something meaningful, whether it’s paint on canvas, words on a page, or a story told on stage. If I had to pick one practitioner in the storytelling space, I'd pick David Sedaris for his humor, honesty, and ability to make awkward human moments shine.
Number one on my bucket list:
My dream is to travel the world collecting stories — from folktales in Irish pubs to family stories around kitchen tables. "A Story for Everything" is built on the idea that every person, everywhere, has a story worth telling, and I want to hear as many of them as I can.
Anything else you'd like to add:
Stories are the one thing we all carry that cost nothing but mean everything. If my book gets people laughing, remembering, or finally telling that story they’ve been sitting on, I’ll be thrilled.
Find more from the author:
www.coreyrosen.com
instagram.com/storyrosen
tiktok.com/@storyrosen
facebook.com/storyrosen
youtube.com/storyrosen
About Corey Rosen:
Corey Rosen
Corey Rosen is a writer, actor, and storytelling coach. He is the author of "Your Story, Well Told" (Mango Publishing, 2021) and "A Story for Everything" (Turner Publishing, Dec 2025). He leads storytelling and improvisation workshops for companies including Pixar, ILM, and The Trium Group, helping leaders and teams build connection, resilience, and trust through the power of story. Learn more at coreyrosen.com.
