Some women set out looking for transformation. 

In A Storyboard Life, Kristin Fellows looks back on the films she’s worked with and realizes the transformation was happening all along. 

A warm, unusual, highly readable memoir about creativity, curiosity, resilience, serendipity–and the accumulated experience of an unpredictable career.

The Reviews Are In!

Book cover for 'A Storyboard Life' by Kristin Fellows, featuring a colorful silhouette of a person's profile with film strip elements in the hair, set against a vibrant abstract background.
Book cover titled "A Storyboard Life" by Kristin Fellows, featuring colorful abstract profile of a woman's face with a film strip in the hair, indicates it is an memoir about creativity and filmmaking.
Book cover of 'A Storyboard Life' by Kristin Fellows, featuring a colorful side profile of a woman's face with a film strip as her hair, set against a vibrant background.
Cover of a book titled "A Storyboard Life" by Kristin Fellows, featuring a colorful silhouette of a person's face with a film strip as hair against a vibrant orange, pink, and blue background.
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Book cover titled "A Storyboard Life" by Kristin Fellows, colorful abstract silhouette of a face with film strips as hair, and a quote about creative careers.
Book cover titled "A Storyboard Life" by Kristin Fellows, featuring a colorful silhouette of a person's face with a film strip above the head, promoting a memoir about documentary filmmaking and creativity.

But my favorite reviews are from my readers…

“(Kristin’s) writing has this beautiful never-ending quality. You must check out “A Storyboard Life”—exceptional writing. Each (frame) makes me want to read the next … It's like I'm being led. Not surprising from a documentary filmmaker who knows storytelling and how to keep us watching.”

Sarah Fay, PhD, USA Today bestselling author of Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses

“You have a wonderful voice.”

Noah Michelson, Head of HuffPost Personal

(Kristin Fellows) is the storyteller and the story ... (she) writes like a portrait painter ... the perfect example of Mary Oliver's 'Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.'

Gary Gruber, PhD

“I love a good memoir, and “A Storyboard Life” by Kristin Fellows did not disappoint. I laughed, teared up, and I came away with a new appreciation of documentary filmmaking. I felt like I was tagging along on some amazing adventures along the way. Kristin is a natural storyteller—warm, honest, deeply engaging.”

Katie Jackson

“A single mom living near the edge, Kristin Fellows faces impending failures that would have most of us staying in bed with the covers pulled over our head… (Readers) experience her moving along improvised paths that seem almost foreordained, as she becomes herself not in relation to others but by what she achieves with her many talents, indomitable spirit, relentless perseverance.”

Stephen Ames

“A fun read about one woman’s romance with life. A Storyboard Life is storytelling at its finest, by an author whose creative instinct and hard work has lead to a lifetime of great experiences and whimsical tales. Her heartfelt style makes you feel like you having coffee around the kitchen table, or at a cafe with a glass of wine and an old and treasured (also fascinating ) friend. Great writing and fun to read. I was sorry when it was over!”

Rickie Eathley

“An engaging story of the heroic journey of a not-so-ordinary woman creating an extraordinary life. This is an inspiring, insightful, and uplifting journey written in flowing prose. A perfect gift for anyone who is struggling after hitting one of life’s potholes. And it’s just plain fun to see someone making lemonade out of life’s sour fruit.”

Dante Langston

“(Kristin) continually awes me with (her) ability to sculpt words ... into a poignant mixture of life's joys and fears.”

Karen Noonan, WDSC

A close-up black-and-white photo of a woman with short, wavy hair, wearing earrings and a black top, looking slightly to the side.

“(Her) stories draw me in and resonate with some of my own experiences. (Her) soulful radiance has given me such wonderful and sometimes challenging sustenance.”

Martin Heuner, MartyHuehnerArt

“Kudos to Ms. Fellows for her utterly enjoyable book, A Storyboard Life. Each fascinating vignette has been beautifully written, infused with determination, courage and personality. Strap yourself in for the ride! A truly unique and inspiring read that has left me wanting more!”

Ann

“A fabulous life from a beautifully grounded person. Her writing begs the reader to read it out loud.”

Karen Bonaudi, INK

A smiling woman with wavy hair wearing sunglasses on her head, a backpack, and a sleeveless top with the words "How do you live?" printed on it.

Storyboard Travels the World!

From Africa, Denmark, France, India, Nepal, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and the US , photos of A Storyboard Life from readers all over the world!

A woman in white pants and a white blazer, carrying a book titled 'Storyboard Life,' stands in an airport terminal with travelers walking around and luggage visible.

Waiting for a plane at Jaipur International Airport, India

A person holding a colorful brochure with a film strip graphic and text that reads 'A Storyboard of Life' in front of a display wall filled with small boxes, and a large sign that says 'STROOPWAFELS' in the background.

Enjoying a snack in Amsterdam

Hand holding a colorful book titled 'A Storyboard Life' by Kristin Fellows in front of a statue of a person with a guitar, surrounded by pink flowers and a brick wall, outdoors on a sunny day.

Hanging out with Buddy Holly in Texas

A person holding a book titled "A Storyboard Life" by Kristin Fellows in front of a waterfall, with a rainbow visible near the bottom right corner of the image. The background features a lush, green forest and a bright blue sky.

Chasing waterfalls in the state of Washington

A person holding a book titled "A Storyboard Life" by Kristin Fellows in a lush green field with tall grass, red flowers, and a cloudy sky in the background.

Admiring the flowers in Denmark

A hand holds a book titled 'A Storyboard Life' by Kristin Fellows, with a colorful cover depicting a silhouette of a person's face and a film strip. The background shows a window with trees and greenery outside, and a decorative scene with small mushroom and flower ornaments inside.
Indoor setting with a prominent artificial cherry blossom tree in a white pot, surrounded by black chairs, a small table with books, a mirror, and various office supplies and decorations, including a plant and framed wall art.

In a sunroom in Seattle

At a hair salon in Portugal

A beach scene with an empty blue lounge chair and a colorful book titled 'A Storyboard Life' beside it. The sandy beach leads to the ocean with small waves, under a mostly cloudy sky.

Enjoying the last days of summer at Okracoke, North Carolina

A large, black, metal sculpture of a typewriter placed outdoors on a city sidewalk with trees and store windows in the background. There are street signs for Wall Street and a stop sign visible.

Getting rid of wrinkles at the Flat Iron in Asheville

A hand holding a brochure in front of a sign that reads "Valleys of the Goblins, Campground, & Yurts" on a dirt trail in a dry, open landscape under a clear blue sky.

Camping with goblins in Utah

A person holding a book titled 'A Storyboard Life' by Kristin Fellows outdoors in a lush, green, tropical setting with trees, grass, and a view of the ocean and sailboats in the distance.

On holiday in The Seychelles, off the coast of East Africa

A dark wooden table with a bouquet of white lilies in a glass vase, a colorful book titled "Storyboard Life" by Kristin Felos, and some fabric swatches. In the background, there are shelves stocked with folded fashionable fabrics and textiles in various colors and patterns.

Shopping for cashmere in India

View of a lush green field with wildflowers, surrounded by pine trees, mountains with snow, and a cloudy sky in the background. A book and a tray are visible in the foreground.

Admiring the views in Alaska

A middle-aged man with short, tousled hair, smiling slightly, holding a book titled "A Storyboard Life" by Kristin Fels in an outdoor setting with green trees and a wooden fence in the background.

One of the (many) characters in the book!

Display table with various wooden crafts and baked goods, including cookie shapes. A sign reads 'Welcome to Our Home - Love Lives Here,' featuring a rainbow and heart design.
A table filled with various Japanese dishes including sushi rolls, tempura, gyoza, and dipping sauces. There are small cups of tea or soy sauce, plates, chopsticks, and a book titled "A Storyboard Life" by Kristin Fellows, indicating dinner at a restaurant in Kathmandu.

At a craft show in Tennessee

A mirror with a decorative, leafy frame reflects a clothing rack with vibrant, tropical patterned dresses, and a tropical-themed mural with palm trees in the background. In front of the mirror, there are colorful tables and chairs, with shopping bags and a book on the tables, indicating a boutique shop in Jaipur.

Dinner in Kathmandu, Nepal

Shopping in India

A person holding a book titled 'A Storyboard Life' by Kristin Fellows by a swimming pool, with a man lounging in the pool in the background wearing sunglasses and a white hat.

Poolside in Indiana

Where are you reading A Storyboard Life?

About Kristin Fellows

A smiling woman with short hair standing outdoors near a historic tower or minaret, with a cityscape in the background.

Kristin Fellows is an award-winning travel writer, illustrator, and documentary film consultant, having worked on over 200 films aired on PBS. Educated in England and the U.S., she has lived and worked in London, Paris, Portugal, and the U.S.

A young boy with headphones smiling while sitting in the cockpit of an aircraft, with instruments and controls visible on the panel in front of him.
A woman wearing sunglasses, a jacket, and hiking gear kneeling on rocky terrain, holding trekking poles with a mountainous landscape in the background.

Kristin received an International Solas Award in 2023 in the category of Adventure Travel Writing for her story, “Getting Naked with a Dragon in Finland.”  In 2019, she was a semi-finalist in Atlas Obscura's "First Journey" competition ($15,000 prize). And in 2015, her photograph, “Skywalker,” was chosen as a National Geographic Photo of the Day.

Woman standing in a body of water, wearing a hat and a sleeveless shirt, smiling and holding a camera in her right hand, outdoor setting with trees and rocks in the background.
A smiling woman with shoulder-length wavy hair wearing sunglasses on her head, a sleeveless shirt with a partially visible message, and a backpack, outdoors in bright sunlight.

In addition to a BA in Psychology, Kristin holds a Smithsonian Associates World Art History Certificate and a diploma from Álfaskólinn, the Icelandic Elf School. Her colorful illustrations reflecting her curiosity, creativity, and love of storytelling, are held in private collections in Europe and the U.S.