Off Book: Memorization Secrets from Performing Artists

By Brent Sverdloff (June 2022)

ISBN: 978-1954744653 (paperback); priced at $18.95

General non-fiction, 224 pages

In 2014, Brent Sverdloff published his first memory-related book about mastering names and faces. Now with Off Book, he's back with this collection of more than 40 interviews with performing arts professionals—actors, singers, musicians, and playwrights—who share their approaches to memorization.

Gathered over the course of three years, these interviews offer creative and effective strategies to help us all improve our memory, on stage and off. The methods used by performers to get into character show us how to increase our mental agility, be more present, and raise our awareness of the power of language. To understand how, read the introduction.

The book first took shape as a blog that remains active and includes dozens of other interviews with professionals in related fields, such as educators and visual artists.

To help others put these techniques into practice, Sverdloff has offered free storytelling “playshops” at libraries. Visit the events page for information about additional programs.

Brent is also available for one-on-one coaching and group workshops.

Off Book is available online from your favorite independent bookstore.* The retail price for the paperback is $18.95 (a Kindle edition is available for $9.99 on Amazon). Order a copy today—for yourself or as a gift. For personally inscribed copies or bulk orders, contact Brent directly.

*Some of my favorites are Bookshop Santa Cruz, Powells Books, Strand Books, and The Booksmith.