Who would have thought that years after Hemingway’s legendary challenge to wrote a whole novel in six words—”For sale: baby shoes, never worn”—he would have unintentionally created one of the hottest trends on the web? In 2006, SMITH Magazine gave the six-word story a personal twist, calling it the Six-Word Memoir. Hundreds of thousands of people responded to the challenge of summing up your life in six words, including some famous New Yorkers:

“The miserable childhood led to royalties.”

- Frank McCourt

Love New York; hate self. Equally.

- David Rakoff

“Secret of life: marry an Italian.”

- Nora Ephron

“My prostate hurts from all the grief.”

- Gary Shteyngart

“So would you believe me anyway?”        

-  James Frey

Six Words has traveled the world, but the addictive form all started in New York City. Now SMITH and ST/New York/RY invite you to share your New York story in Six Words. We’ll share stories of some famous New York Six-Word Memoirists, have a Six-Word Slam and give out prizes to audience favorites.

Guest welcome!  RSVP to hello@thisisstory.com