National Story Project:
I Thought My Father Was God

Hear the story from Weekend All Things Considered

Photo: Sigrid Estrada

Sept. 1, 2001 -- The National Story Project was conceived in late 1999, when novelist Paul Auster was a guest on Weekend All Things Considered. Listeners sent him their own stories -- small, turning point moments that were funny, poignant, or surprising. Auster edited these short, non-fiction tales and read some of them on the air. From its debut in November 1999, The National Story Project has become one of NPR's most popular features.

Holt Publishing, 2001

Auster has gathered 180 of these personal, true-life accounts in a new book, I Thought My Father Was God. The stories -- from people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life -- describe hilarious blunders, wrenching coincidences, and improbable ironies.

Join Auster and two of the book's contributors, Ameni Elizabeth Rozsa and Mary Grace Dembeck from Weekend All Things Considered, Saturday, Sept. 1.


Send your story to: The National Story Project, PMB 206, 123 7th AVE, Brooklyn, NY 11215, Or e-mail your submission to: NationalStoryProject@NPR.org. Include your name, address and telephone number. Let us know if you want your name withheld for broadcast.