Your Next Favorite Read: Storied Stuff + An Earlybird Discount!

Introducing STORIED STUFF: Real Stories, Real Impact

Apr 29, 2025

I'm excited to share a powerful new book curated by acclaimed authors and community leaders Steve and Sharon Fiffer: Storied Stuff, Volume 1.

Think of it as a show-and-tell for grown-ups.

Join me for a Substack Live on Wednesday, May 7th at 10am Central when I interview Steve and Sharon Fiffer about their new book (and to celebrate National Storytelling Month)!

This beautiful collection gathers true stories from people of all backgrounds, reflecting on the objects that shaped their lives — from treasured heirlooms to surprising everyday items. Each story reveals something deeply personal and universal about memory, identity, and resilience.

Even more inspiring? Proceeds from Storied Stuff will support those affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Purchasing a copy helps contribute to real recovery efforts while celebrating the incredible art of storytelling.

A Special Discount For My Readers

Storied Stuff comes out 5/1,
but order direct from the publisher on 4/29 or 4/30 and
SAVE 10% off using my early bird discount code:

STORYSAVE10

This project reminds us that the stories we carry — and the objects we cherish — can offer comfort, connection, and hope.

closeup of a tiny, toy wishing well — I recently submitted a piece to Storied Stuff about this tiny wishing well, gifted to me years ago by a wonderful therapist.

I’ve been a huge fan of the editors, Steve and Sharon Fiffer, for years (they’re two of my cherished writing mentors!), so I hope you’ll check out their book and support this important work.

Sincerely,

Christine Wolf
Author of Politics, Partnerships, & Power | Founder of Writers' Haven

Order on 4/29 - 4/30, enter discount code STORYSAVE10, & save 10%

P.S. Check out the Storied Stuff website, where you can learn about how the book came to be!

More About the Book, the Contributors, and the Editors

Storied Stuff began as a project that Steve and Sharon Fiffer, both professional writers, created during the early days of the pandemic. In the Spring of 2020, they invited friends and fellow writers to share stories and photos of cherished keepsakes. This inspired them to launch storied-stuff.com, where they post new offerings every Wednesday—to date some 500 pieces by over 200 contributors that have garnered hundreds of thousands of viewings. The website is a labor of love for the couple; they haven't taken a penny. Nor will they from the book.

Beige journal with cover art of a girl in bed writing and words that read: "Nightly Notes on my Daily Doin's" — An object written about in Storied Stuff, edited by Steve and Sharon Fiffer (Published by Christmas Lake Press, May 1, 2025)

Steve Fiffer, a Guggenheim fellow, has written some 20 nonfiction books on everything from baseball to social justice, as well as his own memoir and collaborations with civil rights icon C. T. Vivian and former Secretary of State James Baker (NY Times bestseller). Sharon penned the acclaimed eight-book Jane Wheel mystery series published by St. Martin's Minotaur. The couple also edited three collections of original essays, HOME, FAMILY, and BODY, featuring original essays by Jane Smiley, Alex Kotlowitz, Edwidge Danticat, and others.

To commemorate the fifth anniversary of Storied Stuff’s online launch, Steve and Sharon have put together two volumes of their favorite pieces. Christmas Lake Press will be publishing each of these as paperbacks with color photos—about 100 essays and photos in each volume. The release date for Volume I of Storied Stuff: Show and Tell for Grownups is April 30—coinciding with National Storytelling Month in May. Contributors include bestselling author James Finn Garner, former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Robert Jordan, singer-songwriter Junior Burke, as well as teachers, lawyers, doctors, artists, businesspeople, and others. Cherished keepsakes include childhood diaries, baseball cards, family heirlooms, and more. In one essay, a professional pianist shares the improbable story of her prized James Brown autograph. In another, a pediatrician introduces a hand puppet that has entertained children in his family for four generations. Volume II will be published in the fall.

Howdy Doody doll in red ginham shirt and jeans — An object written about in Storied Stuff, edited by Steve and Sharon Fiffer (Published by Christmas Lake Press, May 1, 2025)

In blurbing the book, Alex Kotlowitz wrote: "Storied Stuff is this poignant collection of the things we hold on to. But at its core it’s about family and friends and community, about connections, a reminder to hold close not only to objects but also to the people we love."

The first contribution of $750 has already been made to Stack the Shelves, a community-focused free pop-up bookstore organized by Traci Thomas and designed to help replenish books lost in the LA fires and bring the joy of reading back to those most impacted. Attendees of the May 4 event will receive a gift card to Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena. Earlier this year this independent bookstore owned by Nikki High helped fire victims by converting into an essentials pantry. Storied Stuff is also donating 10 copies of Volume I to Octavia’s.

Says Christmas Lake Press publisher Thomas Fiffer: "It has been a joy to work with my brother Steve and sister-in-law Sharon on putting the moving and inspiring material on the Storied Stuff website into print. Each essay captures a moment, a memory, a mindset, and in most cases, a kinder, gentler time and place. I was especially pleased with the decision to print the book in color, giving life to the photos that accompany each piece.”

Red autograph journal with gold lettering) — An object written about in Storied Stuff, edited by Steve and Sharon Fiffer (Published by Christmas Lake Press, May 1, 2025)

“It seems only fitting that this book about beloved stuff benefit those so suddenly and tragically separated from their own keepsakes,” says Sharon Fiffer. Adds Steve, “We expect to be contributing to and partnering with several other not-for-profits in the coming weeks. Next on the agenda is a read-a-thon benefit. Stay tuned.”

Storied Stuff
Volume One Contributors

Writers' Haven by Christine Wolf

Discussion about this post