Life and Work with Margot Leitman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Margot Leitman.

Margot, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started out in NYC with a theatre degree. I quickly leaped into the world of stand-up comedy and comedic acting while supplementing my career with survival jobs – mostly bartending and substitute teaching. I had a lot of funny stories from subbing, and eventually, put up a one-woman show about it. After that I had a deep desire to tell more authentic, personal stories and started to fall out of love with stand up. I began sneaking full stories into my stand up gigs, and let go of the set up/punchline jokes. I was so moved by storytelling! This lead to eventual teaching practice, in both a theatre and a corporate setting. It was as if everything came into place once I opened up and started sharing my stories.

I began traveling to perform and teach and eventually moved to Los Angeles. It was here that I sold my first book, a memoir of funny adolescent tales titled “Gawky, Tales of an Extra Long Awkward Phase,” from Seal Press. After that, I decided to put my storytelling lessons into an easy to understand guide called “Long Story Short, the Only Storytelling Guide You’ll Ever Need” (Sasquatch Books), which became a best-seller a year after its release. A few months ago, I published, “What’s Your Story? A Workbook For the Storyteller in All of Us” (Sasquatch Books), which is filled with prompts and ways to get the story out of your head, onto the page, and possibly even out into the world. I love connecting with others, both one on one or in group settings, to help share their stories in an effective manner.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s never a smooth road. I could talk about the previous self-doubt and forging into a career that wasn’t something people had heard of or how I was bullied in middle school, but really this current time of social distancing is like nothing we a collective group have ever experienced before. To speak of our current times from simply a business sense, sure, I’ve built a career on the power of human connection, which often incorporates large groups of people coming together to learn the craft of storytelling. I also speak and perform in front of large crowds, but it seems a little tone deaf to fret over that because things aren’t currently easy for anyone. Right now I am allowing that feeling of grief and discomfort to be there. I let myself be upset instead of shaking it off and having a stiff upper lip. Really diving into that feeling and being okay with something that upsets me allows me to process it and eventually move on.

Because people dying, inadequate medical supplies and a global pandemic that affects our health and economy is terribly sad and scary. It’s perfectly okay to feel like that. I’m trying my best to adapt but I miss human connection deeply. I thrive on it. Right now I’m teaching an online memoir class and trying to work on my next book. That’s where I’m at. There’s more to come, but I think at this time, my focus will have to sidestep over to the written word instead of the live performance. And that’s okay. It will only be sweeter the next time I get to get up on a stage.

Oh, and while trying to sell my very first book, my initial agent dropped me, the book was rejected by over a dozen publishers and took over a year to sell. So to answer your question, no, career wise it was certainly not easy!

Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
What I normally do (all is modified under current circumstances) is teach people the art of live storytelling either via one-on-one coaching, group classes, or corporate workshops. I also travel as a live storytelling performer and work as a public speaker. I am most known for my storytelling book, “Long Story Short, the Only Storytelling Guide You’ll Ever Need,” as well as my workbook “What’s Your Story?” and my memoir “Gawky, Tales of an Extra Long Awkward Phase.”

I specialize in all things story and have helped people do anything from craft wedding toasts to improving keynote addresses to telling a story onstage for “The Moth.” My specialty is in humor. I have a way of helping others to find the funny in even the darkest of stories. Right now considering the live stage is on pause, I am happy to work with people one on one on memoirs and book proposals.

I am most proud of how I have seen students’ and clients’ lives change via being able to share their own stories. I have seen students start booking roles, meet significant others, redirect their careers and more just from being able to tell a story in an effective manner. It can really be taught to almost anyone.

What sets me apart is that I have over a decade of experience, three books published on the subject and have worked with a wide variety of clients. I’ve worked with Fortune 500 companies, mom and pop businesses and regular people who have trouble speaking onstage by themselves. I’ve worked with groups in rural Virginia, Mumbai, India and Perth Australia to name a few. I can really help a person or company share their story to get the results they want. We’re all more similar than we realize.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Nothing good will come of comparing yourself to others. Stay on your own path on your own timeline. And go where you are celebrated, not tolerated.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.margotleitman.com
• Instagram: @margotleitman

Image Credit:
Margot Leitman

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