Performances
Workshops /
Video Interviews
Ebooks & Written Resources
Mandy Shunnarah is a writer and performer who doesn't just read awkwardly onstage. If you'd like to invite them to your storytelling/reading event, please reach out at mandyshunnarah[AT]gmail[DOT]com.
My 15-Year Library Saga
"Some people are haunted by the past. Others are haunted by ghosts. But I am haunted by libraries."
So begins my tale of a 15-year library saga, in which I borrowed books as a 9-year-old and kept them for a decade, running up a triple-digit library fine. The overdue library books give me nightmares of being arrested, kept me away from libraries (despite being a book lover), and ultimately led me to pursue a master's degree in library and information science.
This story was told to a crowd of 250+ in Birmingham, AL, in January 2015.
The Never-Ending Quest to Find Good Grape Leaves
When you're half Southern redneck and half Palestinian, trying to find decent grape leaves that taste even half as good as your dead grandma's means eating a whole lot of not-great grape leaves.
The theme for the storytellers that night was "American" and if redneck grape leaves aren't a melting pot, I don't know what is.
This story was told to a crowd of ~30 people in Columbus, OH in July 2018.
Revenge of the Prepositions
If, like me, you had one English teacher who made you memorize a list of the prepositions in alphabetical order and another who was convinced you're worthless, it’s enough to make you wonder why I became an English major.
But after years of wondering, "When am I ever going to use this?" and finally getting to use all that rote memorization in an epic way, I can tell you that revenge is so, so sweet.
This story was told to a crowd of ~40 people in Columbus, OH, in December 2017.
Plucking Chin Hairs
My creative nonfiction essay, "Plucking Chin Hairs," won Honorable Mention for nonfiction in New Southerner Magazine's annual contest in 2016. The story was read live at the magazine's launch party for the issue in which it appears.
Chocked full of hilarity, Southernisms, creative curses, and murder, "Plucking Chin Hairs" is at once a tribute to my inimitable great-grandmother and a homage to the act of storytelling.
This story was told to a crowd of ~40 in Louisville, KY, in January 2017.
Hellman’s and the Hell Child
There are many reasons not to have kids, and some of them are funny. My reasons include neurotic children on Ferris wheels and repulsive amounts of mayonnaise.
This humorous tale begins with me deciding I didn't want children as a 7-year-old and that decision being hilariously reiterated when I was 15. And why, these days, I’m content to be a cool aunt.
This story was told to a crowd of ~50 in Columbus, OH, in May 2017.
Grape Leaves
The room was dark, but the crowd’s energy was bright! This was a live reading of my essay “Grape Leaves” as published in The Rumpus.
The essay is about food, family, horticulture, and trying to make traditions your own.
This reading was to a crowd of ~65 in Columbus, OH, in December 2018.
My Best Friend of 23 Years
(The beginning was cut off. The first sentence is: "I've had the same best friend for 23 years.")
Lucky are those who have had the same best friend since childhood. I met my best friend in kindergarten when we were 5 years old, and we’re still best friends today. This is the story of how we met.
This completely spontaneous and unplanned story was told to a crowd of ~15 in Columbus, OH, in July 2019.
An excerpt from Midwest Shreds: Skaters and Skateparks in Middle America
I read an excerpt from my book, Midwest Shreds: Skaters and Skateparks in Middle America, at the Columbus Arts Festival in Columbus, Ohio.
This reading was to a crowd of ~35 in June 2022.
7 poems and storytelling about my Palestinian heritage
At a meeting of the Central Ohio chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, I read seven poems and shared some stories about my Palestinian family. There was a Q&A afterward.
An Ode to Skating
At the 2023 Columbus Arts Festival, I read a short essay, “An Ode to Skating,” on the Word Is Art stage. At the time, I was in a boot with a broken ankle—an injury I sustained while roller skating. And still, I love this sport.
Poetry reading at the launch of the 50th anniversary issue of Ohio State University’s literary magazine, The Journal
My essay “On Languishing” was published in this issue of The Journal. However, essays are long, so I read a handful of nature poems, Palestinian poems, and love poems instead. One of the poems, “the clamshell,” was published in another issue of The Journal (the issue immediately following the 50th anniversary issue).
Moderating the book launch for Collective Chaos: A Roller Derby Team Memoir by Samantha Tucker and Amy Spears
Reading a series of Palestinian poems for the art exhibit “Text Me When You Get Home,” featuring Palestinian writers and text-based artists
Moderating the Q&A panel discussion with documentary filmmaker Jamie Boyle on her film Anonymous Sister for the Columbus, Ohio, screening
Sarabande Books Zine Lunch: Fanzine Revival
Sarabande Writing Labs asked me to lead a generative workshop on zine-making and I was PUMPED! The workshop is Fanzine Revival, which is about looking at fandoms in their many forms through the lens of self-care.
Mandy was an absolute delight to work with! They led a workshop for our free arts programming, and they were incredibly engaging the entire time. It was lovely to see folks inspired enough to share their work in such a positive and welcoming setting. 10/10 would recommend Mandy for any workshop/ creative hosting! — Natalie Wollenzien on behalf of Sarabande Books
On pitching your writing and photography to magazines
On how freelance journalism can benefit your creative writing
How to write a nonfiction book proposal that sells
Traditional book proposals are a crapshoot. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to think like a publisher so your nonfiction book proposal stands out in the best way. My editor has told people on Twitter and in person that mine was the best book proposal she’d ever seen.
This workshop was offered to members of See Jane Write, a writing group for women and nonbinary people based in Birmingham, Alabama, and worldwide online.
Here’s what attendees had to say:
“After attending Mandy’s workshop on creating a book proposal, I feel 100% confident that I could submit a full, well thought out, unique book proposal immediately! Mandy’s knowledge was only matched by their generosity in teaching. Not only did they share all of their insider knowledge, but they did so with humility and kindness. They made you feel like no matter your history, no matter your social media following or lack thereof, no matter your experience, your story is unique and deserves to be shared. I feel so inspired to start researching my niche for my book idea and bold enough to start reaching out to publishers. Mandy is an incredible teacher!”
–– Jessica Furniss
To access this workshop, either join See Jane Write, where the workshop is housed in their member library, or reach out at mandyshunnarahATgmailDOTcom to inquire about me teaching the workshop live in person or online.
Need writing advice? Want to know how a normal person with a social life and her own business reads 150+ books a year? Mandy gets asked this often, so they created some ebooks to help. Download your copy!