Mary Lou Piland

Mary Lou Piland is a first generation American citizen from two parents who literally stepped off the boat in the 60's. Mary Lou and her husband Anthony moved from CT to Martha's Vineyard eight years ago. Married for 23 years, together they have three young men in college, Anthony (22) Michael (19) and Marcanthony (18). Currently she is employed at Martha's Vineyard hospital and recently received her Bachelor's degree from Charter Oak College. Mary Lou is also currently working on finishing her first book, about bringing home her "non Italian" husband home to her huge and sometimes intimidating Catholic family.

Listen To Your Heart

by Mary Lou Piland

A woman falls in love over the protestations of her family.

Christine Kalafus

Christine Kalafus is a writer, editor and home remodeling addict. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of The Pitkin Review at Goddard College, where she is an MFA candidate. Christine lives in Connecticut, is working on a memoir, and when the mood strikes she moves all the furniture around.

I've Heard You Make Cakes

by Christine Kalafus

An amateur baker decides to try her hand at making cakes for a living.

Neshama Franklin

Neshama Franklin has been telling stories ever since she learned to talk. She works at the Fairfax Library, posts a weekly blog of book reviews on the library website, and hosts Marin Poets Live! there too. She can be heard bi-weekly on KWMR.org. Neshama is thrilled to appear for the third time at the GrandSLAM and loves her association with the Moth, both onstage and off.

Grand Canyon

by Neshama Franklin

Neshama Franklin visits the Grand Canyon with her sister shortly after the death of her husband of 35 years.

Josh Bond

Josh Bond lives in Santa Monica where he manages commercial and residential real estate. He also writes original music and performs solo and with his band, For the Kings. Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, he attended Boston University where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Film Production.

Call Me Charlie

by Josh Bond

A musician helps the FBI capture America’s Most Wanted. 

Jimmy Tingle

Jimmy Tingle is a comedian and commentator from Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is also the founder of Humor for Humanity.

The Impossible Dream

by Jimmy Tingle

A father bonds with his son over baseball.

Falen Johnson

Falen Johnson is a writer and her play, Salt Baby, has toured all over Canada. Falen grew up in Six Nations and now lives in Toronto.

Invisible Toronto

by Falen Johnson

Falen Johnson confronts racism and her own biases while taking a tour group through “Invisible Toronto.”

Pilar Siman

Pilar Siman (She/Her/Ella) is a therapist who has the privilege of listening to others' stories for a living. She lives in Miami, Fl with her partner and two young kids, and practices her story-telling skills every night at bedtime.

11 p.m. Mass

by Pilar Siman

A college freshman falls in love at 11 p.m. Mass.

Moshe Schulman

Moshe Schulman is a writer living in New York City.

Then You Will Know!

by Moshe Schulman

Moshe Schulman fears retribution from God for breaking Kosher while visiting his aunt in Long Island.

George Dawes Green

George Dawes Green, founder of The Moth and Unchained, is an internationally celebrated author. His first novel, The Caveman’s Valentine, won the Edgar Award and became a motion picture starring Samuel L. Jackson. The Juror was an international bestseller in more than twenty languages and was the basis for the movie starring Demi Moore and Alec Baldwin. Ravens was chosen as one of the best books of 2009 by the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Daily Mail of London, and many other publications. He lives in Savannah, Georgia.

Coming of Age in a Mausoleum

by George Dawes Green

George Dawes Green spends the best summer of his life squatting in a mausoleum with a drug dealer. 

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, Anansi Boys, The Graveyard Book, Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett), The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains; the Sandman series of graphic novels; and the story collections Smoke and Mirrors, Fragile Things, and Trigger Warning. He is the winner of numerous literary honors, including the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy awards, and the Newbery and Carnegie Medals. Originally from England, he now lives in the United States. He is Professor in the Arts at Bard College.

Jump

by Neil Gaiman

Author Neil Gaiman explains why he’s afraid to sing in public.