THE STORYTELLER'S COTTAGE
About
Pleased to Meet You!
Hi, I'm Lisa Natcharian, and I'm the founder of The Storyteller's Cottage, where literature comes to life!
Back in 2017, I converted a circa 1891 Victorian house in Simsbury, Connecticut into a unique venue for in-person literary events. We held author talks, writing classes, poetry slams, book-themed summer camps, book clubs, D&D game nights, and all manner of bookish tea parties, cocktail parties, costume parties, fictional feasts, midnight dinners and live murder mysteries. I even built three literary-themed escape rooms on site from the ground up!
When the pandemic evaporated our customer base, I closed the physical location, pivoted to an online model, and now share the secrets I've learned about creating fictional worlds in real life with "book dragons" all over the world!
Salon
THE STORYTELLER'S
Join your fellow bibliophiles at The Storyteller's Salon, a bookish online community!
Members have access to unique online activities including:
Deux Magots
Online Parisian Cafe
book discussions with tea & cake
Fictional Feasts
Online Cook-Alongs
featuring food from books
Ladies of Letters
Online Art Journal Creation
with literary-themed cocktails
Murder in the Library
Movie Watch Parties
based on mystery novels
Script & Scrivenry
Penpal Exchange
including local bookmarks
Poetry Bistro Night
Online Sharing of Poetry & Short Stories
with tea tastings
Inkheart Academy
Online DIY Bookish Crafting
using old book pages
Pendragon Society
Online Discussion Forum
covering book reviews, recommendations
& more!
PLUS...
Monthly Drawings to Win Books
Access to Recorded Zoom DIY Courses
Can we visit the Storyteller's Cottage building?
Yes - it is now the home of a charming business called The Coffee Spot, and you can stop by 750 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, CT to grab a drink and a delicious baked treat made on the premises. The decor is different now, but the house is still adorable!
Are you still running escape rooms?
No, but I do offer a downloadable video class explaining how to build your own escape room. This 40-minute course is suitable for all ages, and is great for hobbyists who'd like to create an escape game for friends or students, and for potential professionals looking for a simple introduction to the game building process.
Will you ever open a physical location again?
Not in the near future, but I do have plans in the works to host live murder mystery weekends at local inns in central CT.
I heard you were running outdoor activities in Simsbury?
You heard right! Check out my local partnerships below.
SIMSBURY STORY HUNTS
Explore the charming town of Simsbury while you solve a mystery! Follow a trail of clues as you walk through the historic town center, and pick up delicious treats from local purveyors along the way. By the time you solve the mystery, you'll have collected the makings of a lovely picnic, which you can enjoy at your final stop!
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FAIRY FINDING ADVENTURES
Turn your hike into an imaginative adventure! Choose a fun local trail and bring along our companion e-book. Find the landmarks listed along your hike and read about the fairytale adventures that happened in that very spot! This is a great way for families to get outside and enjoy nature together. Includes flat trails between 1/2 and 2 1/2 miles long, perfect for kids of all ages. Just $5 for each e-book chock full of photos, directions and fantastical tales!