Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff

Storytelling events are growing in popularity across the country.

Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff

The competitive storytelling slam has arisen and spread in the past 15 years or so.

Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff

Ryan LaPerle of Cambridge told his story during a Story Slam hosted by a group called Massmouth.

Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff

Massmouth hosts four or five slams a month throughout Boston, culminating in a final competition that routinely draws more than 400 people.

Yoon S. Byun/ Globe Staff

New York-based The Moth hosts events around the country, such as this one in Cambridge in December.

Yoon S. Byun/ Globe Staff

The Moth started in 1997 and now has a public radio show “The Moth Radio Hour” airing on 200 stations nationwide.

Yoon S. Byun/ Globe Staff

The Moth hosts slams in 11 cities at 14 venues. In 2007, it put on 62 shows; this year the total hit 221.