The Blow Dried Cat: And Other Island Stories

by Jay Stailey

Overview

The greatest hits of a school principal-turned-storyteller. A collection of humorous stories and tall tales, some based on urban legends and some original, honed in oral performance and written by a storyteller of national repute

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781624910357
Publisher:	Parkhurst Brothers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/07/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Jay Stailey, a former chairman of the National Storytelling Network and a longtime presence on the stage of the Texas Storytelling Festival, and others across the country, here collects his audience-favorite stories from hundreds of performances.  Stailey—a native of Ohio—now lives in Houston, Texas, where he is a management coach to educational institutions and companies.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface

The Blow-Dried Cat: A Matter Between Friends

The Giant Cockroaches of Clear Lake Shores

Zigfield Robinson, III

A Sprinkle Under the Summer Moon

Captain Okie’s Circus Dog

Curly McCoy and the Fog Bodger

The Unremarkable Dreams of Tommy Chapman

The Night Visitor: Barter Economy, Island Style

Raul Martinez Calling the Free World

Kenny Swinson’s Crowded Mind

A Simple Change of Address

The Parrot from Quitano

Reading Group Extras

About the Author

Eleven Questions for Jay Stailey

Interviews

I have been honored to tell stories from the stages of storytelling festivals throughout the USA and in internationally.  In recent years, I have co-directed a storytelling retreats both in the USA and internationally.  My career emphasis has grown through education into storytelling (which is such a powerful teaching tool, whether in school, in church, or in business) and now into coaching executives of universities, school systems, and corporations.  The fascination with storytelling in all of these areas—and the communication power that follows—never ceases to amaze me.  Audiences have voted these selected stories as favorites by their applause, letters, emails and requests for return engagements.  I hope you like them, too.
Some of the stories included are:
 
• The Giant Cockroaches of Clear Lake Shores
 
• Zigfield Robinson, III
 
• Captain Okie’s Circus Dog
 
• Raul Martinez Calling the Free World
 
• Curly McCoy and the Fog Bodger
 
• The Parrot from Quitano

Editorial Reviews

"Jay Stailey is an unconventionally wise storyteller and writer, with a clear eye for quirky characters, a twisted mind full of surprising humor and a depth of understanding for the soul of humanity. His stories connect the mind with the heart of the matter and a belly full of laughter."

— Tom McDermott, Storyteller/Author/Musician/Minister First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth, Tx

"Jay’s dogged commitment to using storytelling to connect not only our community, but communities around the world, is inspirational to anyone fortunate enough to know him."

— Hank Roubicek, Professor of Communications, University of Houston Downtown

"With the heart of a spiritualist, the experiences of an educator and the craft of a writer, Jay Stailey offers stories to the world – each narrative, a reminder that we are all family when we listen to one another."

— Anne McCrady, poet, writer, storyteller

"Jay Stailey's stories are like a good meal...delicious and satisfying."

— Elizabeth Ellis, storyteller

From the Publisher