Pyle of Memories

Buy for the cause.
Stay for the entertainment.

In 2014, Lesly Pyle’s grandmother asked Lesly to write a memory about her. Her grandmother had dementia. She was losing her memories. And she was aware of it. Sometimes. She’s the reason Lesly started a social media series for dementia awareness called #PyleOfMemories. These short stories serve as reminder to write the good stuff down before it’s lost forever. Now this passion project has a bigger mission: To help fund dementia research via book sales.

For the best shot of putting a dent in a disease that affects 55 million families, Lesly asked the best storytellers she knows to write mini memoirs of their own. And within three days of launching, our book shot up the Amazon Best Seller List among titles by Tina Fey, Nick Offerman and Bill Bryson. Most chapters are comedies. A few are tragedies. Some are both. All are great. And all support an even greater cause. We can’t thank you enough for doing the same.

Contributing Authors
(in alphabetical order by last name)

Brian Bacino, Writer, Chief Creative Officer and Commercial Director.

Rob Baker, Writer and Co-Founder of Baker & Bonner Creative Emporium.

Dustin Ballard, Writer and Creator of TikTok’s famous “There I Ruined It” music series.

Jamie Barrett, Writer, Executive Creative Director and Founder of Barrett Hofherr.

Alexis Bingham, Writer, Associate Creative Director and Dog Foster.

Michael Burbo, Writer and Musician.

Kate Catalinac, Writer and Creative Director.

Greg Christensen, Writer and Group Creative Director.

Andy Coulston, Art Director and Group Creative Director.

Cameron Day, Author of the “The Advertising Survival Guide” trilogy, including “Chew With Your Mind Open,” “Spittin’ Chiclets,” and “Sticks and Stones.”

Suzanne Finnamore, Bestselling Author of “Split,” “Crush,” “Otherwise Engaged,” “The Zygote Chronicles,” and the upcoming book, “My Disappearing Mother: A Memoir of Magic and Loss in the Country of Dementia.”

Michael Folino, Freelance Writer and Creative Director.

Debra Fried, Author of the popular blog, “Ruffle” and Freelance Creative Director.

Jeff Goodby, Writer, Artist, Director, Musician and Co-Chairman of Goodby Silverstein & Partners.

Gerry Graf, Writer, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of SlapGlobal.

Brandon Harper, Essay Writer and Student Athlete at the University of Oklahoma.

Ty Hutchinson, Bestselling Author of two international crime thriller collections, the “Abby Kane” series and the “Sei” series.

Thomas Kemeny, Author of “Junior: Writing Your Way Ahead in Advertising” and Freelance Creative Director.

Kenny Lee, Author of “We, But Me. A Book for Twins” and Creative Director.

Miles Nored, Writer and Medical Marvel.

Susan Otis, Family Raconteur and Retired Small Business Owner.

Allison Pyle, Proofreader and “Reader’s Digest” Contributor.

Eric Pyle, Author of “Alice and the Magic Marker” and Software Developer.

Lesly Pyle, Writer, Associate Creative Director and Creator of the “Pyle of Memories” book and social media series.

Mark Radcliffe, Writer, Creative Director and Musician.

Ethan Rios, Writer and Freelance Photographer.

Russell Rowland, Author of 5 novels, including "Cold Country," and "In Open Spaces," as well as the non-fiction narrative, "56 Counties."

Rich Siegel, Author of “Round Seventeen & 1/2” and Freelance Writer.

Jon Soto, Art Director and Freelance Creative Director.

Matt Stiker, Author of the blog “What’s Next > What’s Now.”

Luke Sullivan, Author of “Hey Whipple, Squeeze This” and “Thirty Rooms to Hide In: Insanity, Addiction and Rock ‘n’ Roll in the Shadow of the Mayo Clinic.”

George Tannenbaum, Author of “Ad Aged,” a Business Insider “Most Influential” blog.

Laura Tannenbaum, Writer and Freelance Creative Director.

Julia Tucker, Author of “Fringe Benefits” and “Old Poison.”

Suzy Watson, Writer, Educator, Producer and Pet Lover.

Jack Westerholt, Writer, Creative Director, Yogi and Mindfulness Coach.

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Accolades & Acknowledgments

The following honors give us hope that our book will actually make a difference. Which will be the only thing that truly matters.
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Catch+Release Podcast | 5.2024

The venerable Tom Christmann had me on his latest podcast series called “Lost in Found” to discuss how “Pyle of Memories” exemplifies the power of human connection.

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Amazon Best Seller List | 9.2023

Three days after launch, our book was on the Amazon’s Best Seller List in the humor category among titles by Tina Fey, Norm MacDonald, David Sedaris, Nick Offerman and Bill Bryson. What?!
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TRG’s Connie Andrews Advertising Spirit Award | 11.2023

"May your work on projects such as 'Pyle of Memories' serve as a beacon to others that hard work and an unwavering commitment to excellence always pays off." - Excerpted from the award certificate from TRG Advertising.

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Featured in Dan Nelken’s newsletter, “A Self-Help Guide for Creatives,” in the “Escape Artists” column | 10.2023

“Escape Artists” are creative professionals who are taking the time to create things outside of work.

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The Side Show Awards | Top Honors | 8.2024

To win a “Top Honor” means the judges voted unanimously. (A few new judges came to town and this book caught their eyes too. See below for more.)

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The Side Show Awards | Social Good Category | 11.2023

In 2021, a few sample chapters won gold for writing (see below).
In 2023, “Pyle of Memories” is back on the Side Show charts as a full-on book earning money for dementia research. It’s featured in the “Social Good Gallery.”

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The Side Show Awards | Writing Category | 10.2021

A few pre-publication sample chapters won gold at an award show that recognizes side passions by creative professionals.