Mark Binder... author • storyteller •nice guy•

Mark Binder* has been called “a master at spinning old tales and everyday events… into storytelling gold."  As a performing storyteller, he travels the world, sharing tales that bridge boundaries for all generations. He's written and recorded more than two dozen books, audiobooks and plays, and has been nominated for an Audie Audiobook award for best original work. 

He writes and tells original and traditional folktales, stories from Izzy Abrahmson's Village Life, and what he calls "autobiographical lies."

"I fell into storytelling by accident," Mark says, "and I'm constantly amazed, at ways it transmits joy and connects diverse audiences."

*Yes, that's his real name.  (Scroll down for more…)

Audie Award Nominee Mark Binder is the author of more than two dozen books and audio books. Trained as an actor, director and playwright at the Trinity Rep Conservatory, he often tours the world as a performer, transmitting the joy of story across boundaries. His work is eclectic.

• The Rogue's Island Series includes What Cheer! and The Big Blue Bugs and A Dead Politician, an Undead Clam, and an Ancient Horror. Skewed stories from The Ocean State. NOT available on Amazon. (Order copies here)

• Look for The Village Life Series, written under the pen and stage name of Izzy Abrahmson. These books include The Village Feasts, Winter Blessings  (nominated for the National Jewish Book Award for Family Literature), A Village Romance, and The Village Twins, Set in a mythical village on the edge of the Black Forest, these books are written for adults but can be shared with families. You don't need to be Jewish to enjoy The Village Life. 

• The Groston Rules is a novel about seven friends trying to graduate high school, who get caught up with bullying, climate change, and other dysfunctions. It's a modern-day reboot with high school versions of characters from The Zombie Cat and It Ate My Sister.

• THE RACE, a play about a job interview gone awry was produced in early 2021 by The Wilbury Group Theater.
• During the Covid year, Mark has recently released the live audiobook Summer 2020. This was the storytelling concert that the world-lockdown prevented from happening live. ("A lot of fun!" –Providence Journal).
• Loki Ragnarok was nominated and was a finalist for the 2019 Audie Audiobook Award for Best Original Work
• The Bed Time Story series has sold more than 80,000 copies worldwide

A writer who creates at least one new project every year, whether it’s a printed book or an audio book, an ebook or a play — Mark is constantly pushing boundaries, while keeping his diverse audiences of readers and listeners engaged.

A performer with more than twenty years of programs in theaters, festivals, schools, libraries, and community centers. Every year Mark gives more than 100 presentations across the United States and around the world and has performed live for more than 200,000 listeners. He has twice toured in Europe and is featured in the Amazon/Audible series, "Story Party Live.”

Education… At Columbia University, where he holds a BA, Mark studied mythology with T.E. Gaster and storytelling with Spalding Gray (1984). He trained with the Adaptors Movement Theater (1985-87). He earned an MA in English and Writing, Acting and Directing from Rhode Island College and the Trinity Rep Conservatory (1990). He holds a third degree black belt in Aikido, has trained in centering and internal power with Dan Hardin, and promises not to throw you across the room.

Entertaining, Inspiring, Challenging… Delightful  Whether written or told, Mark’s stories are always fresh and new. Some are pure fun, while others address issues, soothe fears and inspire change. Because he has such a broad assortment of stories, books and audio, he can work from a theme or offer “Omakase” stories that suit the day and the audience. Everyone who listens or reads is transported

A Teacher and Leader Mark knows how to teach by listening and coaching, by example and assignment. His goal is to inspire students to do more and better work than they thought possible. He has taught martial arts in a dojo, “Telling Lies” at the Rhode Island School of Design, and writing and storytelling in dozens of elementary, middle and high schools for young people and adults of all ages.

Theater, Editorial, Politics and more…  Mark is currently working on a new play. He is the founder of Light Publications, a fiercely independent craft publishing company. He co-created Bright Night Providence (2004-11), and founded The Real Fun Theater Company (1991-1992), the American Story Theater (2004-present) and Spoken Story Saturdays (2020). He has written and directed more than a dozen plays (1986-1999)  He has worked as the editor of magazines and newspapers, written hundreds of newspaper and magazines articles, designed books, and produced award-winning books and audios. He has been programming computers since 1977, and is constantly learning and adapting to changing technology.  He has twice run for political office, and came frighteningly close to winning once.