Matthew Dicks

Matthew Dicks is an American author, teacher, and storyteller known for both his novels and his work teaching storytelling through speaking engagements and workshops. His novels include "Something Missing," "Unexpectedly, Milo," "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend," and "The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs." Beyond fiction writing, Dicks has established himself in the storytelling community as a 54-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 6-time GrandSLAM champion. His book "Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling" has become a reference work for aspiring storytellers. As an elementary school teacher in Connecticut, Dicks incorporates storytelling techniques into his classroom instruction. He co-founded Speak Up, a Hartford-based storytelling organization, and regularly conducts workshops on storytelling techniques for businesses, organizations, and individuals. His work often explores themes of personal transformation, human connection, and finding meaning in everyday moments. Dicks's novel "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend," published under the pen name Matthew Green in the UK, has been translated into multiple languages and earned international recognition.

Readers describe Matthew Dicks' books as engaging and fast-paced with relatable characters. Reviews highlight his ability to write from unique perspectives, particularly in novels like "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend" and "Twenty-one Truths About Love." What readers liked: - Character development and emotional depth - Unconventional storytelling formats - Authentic dialogue - Humor mixed with serious themes What readers disliked: - Some found the experimental formats distracting - Plot resolutions felt rushed to some readers - Character choices sometimes struck readers as unrealistic Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend: 4.1/5 (31,000+ ratings) - Twenty-one Truths About Love: 3.8/5 (7,000+ ratings) - Something Missing: 3.7/5 (5,000+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.3-4.5 stars across titles Common reader comment: "Makes you think differently about everyday situations" Notable criticism: "Sometimes tries too hard to be quirky" appears in multiple reviews

Something Missing (2009) A professional burglar who carefully studies his victims and takes only items they won't notice are gone becomes entangled in one client's personal crisis.

Unexpectedly, Milo (2010) A man with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder discovers a bag containing evidence of a crime and must step out of his carefully controlled routines to solve the mystery.

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend (2012) An imaginary friend narrates the story of his human companion, an autistic boy who faces danger at school.

The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs (2015) A mild-mannered woman confronts her high school bully twenty-five years after a pivotal incident that changed her life.

Twenty-one Truths About Love (2019) Written entirely in lists, this novel follows a bookstore owner facing financial troubles and impending fatherhood.

The Other Mother (2021) A thirteen-year-old boy becomes convinced that his mother has been replaced by an identical impostor.

Storyworthy (2018) A non-fiction guide to crafting and telling personal stories based on the author's experience as a multiple Moth StorySLAM champion.

Someday Is Today (2022) A non-fiction book about time management and productivity strategies for creative people.