Humorist and folklorist Donna Ingham takes the ancient art of storytelling and gives it a Texas twist to entertain audiences of all ages. Hear tall tales, folklore, historical and personal stories told only as a Texan could.

Donna has appeared at festivals and conferences throughout the United States and even swapped a yarn or two in Ireland. A published author and former college professor with a Ph.D. in English, she also offers workshops, master classes, and training sessions as well as programs for elementary and secondary schools.

Donna’s reputation as a humorist makes her a popular luncheon and after-dinner speaker and presenter of special programs and keynotes.

Named the Biggest Liar in Austin, Texas, seven times and the Biggest Liar in Texas four times, Donna is also a recipient of the John Henry Faulk Award for “outstanding contributions to the art of storytelling” and a National Storytelling Oracle Regional Excellence Award for “exceptional commitment and exemplary contributions to the art of storytelling.”

Donna is listed on the Texas Touring Roster of the Texas Commission on the Arts and on the Mid-America Arts Alliance Regional Touring Program.

Fall 2026

“Autumn is the antidote to stifling summer.” – Terri Guillemets

One can only hope that’s true after the summer we’ve had in these parts. Now we’re ready for outdoor festivals like the Oatmeal Festival right here in Bertram, Texas, on September 26. Music and vendors and activities for all ages. Then on our very own Chickenbach Farm, just outside of Bertram, we are hosting two festival events: The Cluckin’ & Pluckin’ Fall Folk Festival, featuring three storytellers and two bluegrass musicians, on October 4, and then the annual Bachtoberfest on November 7 with polka bands, food vendors, and a punkin’ chunkin’ trebuchet demonstration.

In between, on October 3, I’ll be one of a number of featured authors at the Boerne Book Festival at the Patrick Heath Public Library in Boerne, Texas. With two other panelists, I’ll help discuss and read from Gather ‘Round, a publication of the Texas Folklore Society. The only other recently published work I can claim is a commissioned piece – an on-purpose lie – I wrote for the local Chamber of Commerce Visitors Guide. Meanwhile, I’m still getting royalty checks from time to time from earlier books, so no complaints.

But I do hope to finish, or at least make significant headway on, a couple of current writing projects that could yield storytelling material as well. And although I’ve done very little marketing of late, I’m still fielding inquiries about bookings – one clear into next summer. That’s encouraging! Plus I was selected once again to be listed as a Touring Artist on the Texas Commission on the Arts Roster. An honor and a privilege. The fall deadline to apply for a TCA Arts Respond Performance Support Grant is November 2 (for activities scheduled between December 15, 2026, and March 14, 2027).