Contribute a Story
Confabulation is built on the voices of Montrealers from every walk of life. We've featured stories from doctors, boxers, students, grandmas, and everyone in between. If you have a true, personal story you're ready to share — without notes, props, or gimmicks — we want to hear from you.
What We Look For
We're after honest, first-person accounts. Stories should be true, told in your own words, and shaped with a clear beginning, middle, and end. They don't need to be epic — some of our most memorable pieces have been about small moments that resonated deeply.
All stories are told live on stage at MainLine Theatre, without notes. If your story is selected, you'll work with host Matt Goldberg to refine it before show night.
How to Submit
Send us a short summary of your story — just a paragraph or two is enough. Tell us what it's about, why it matters to you, and roughly how long you think it would run. No formal writing required; we're interested in the idea, not the polish.
Email your story pitch to:
confabulation@confabulationmontreal.com
You can also reach us through the contact form on our Facebook page at facebook.com/confab.
Confabulation has always been about the power of true stories told live, and that spirit carries directly into the online space. Every piece featured on the site began as a spoken tale, shared on stage without notes or safety nets. The transition to text preserves the raw honesty of the original performance while allowing readers to engage at their own pace. Whether you are discovering the archive for the first time or revisiting an old favourite, the core mission remains unchanged: to celebrate personal narratives that are genuine, well-crafted, and deeply human. The website extends that live-show energy into a permanent, searchable home for storytelling.
The stories that resonate most strongly are often the quiet ones. A single memory of a summer afternoon, a strange encounter in a foreign city, or an inherited object that carries unexpected weight—these small moments can hold as much power as any grand adventure. Confabulation welcomes tales of transformation, heartbreak, joy, and everyday absurdity. What matters is not the scale of the event but the sincerity of the telling. When a storyteller trusts their own experience and shapes it with care, the audience feels that authenticity. The best stories remind us that we are all navigating the same strange, beautiful world.
For those who wish to contribute, the process is designed to be supportive and collaborative. Selected storytellers work closely with an experienced host to refine their piece before taking the stage. This coaching helps shape the narrative arc, tighten the pacing, and ensure the story lands with clarity and emotional impact. No prior performance experience is required, only a willingness to be open and honest. The goal is not polish for its own sake, but a version of your story that feels true to you while serving the audience. Many first-time storytellers find the experience surprisingly rewarding and return to share again.
The live shows at MainLine Theatre remain the heart of Confabulation, but the online archive has become an essential companion. Readers from around the world can now access years of recorded performances and written adaptations, discovering voices and perspectives far beyond Montreal. The site also serves as a gathering place for the community between events, with updates on upcoming shows, featured stories, and opportunities to get involved. Whether you are a longtime attendee or a newcomer curious about the art of live storytelling, the website offers a welcoming entry point into a vibrant tradition of shared human experience.
What Happens Next
We review every submission. If your story feels like a fit for an upcoming theme, we'll be in touch to discuss next steps. Even if we don't have a spot right away, we often keep stories on file for future shows — a great tale can find its moment months down the line.