Everyone knows how moths are attracted to great storytellers. No wait. Moths like flames. And it's humans that gather around, much like little winged insects, attracted to a common voice and a true tale. And if you're one of those story-loving humans, you may have heard about The Moth. Or you've seen the quiet flyers around town promoting the local MothUP. Either way, our favorite part of this (ahem) story has to be the beginning, and how this national sensation and NYC's favorite literary gathering actually came to life after many summer nights spent on a porch off the coast of Georgia.

"The Moth was founded in New York in 1997 by poet and novelist George Dawes Green, who wanted to recreate in New York the feeling of sultry summer evenings on his native St. Simon's Island, where he and a small circle of friends would gather to spin spellbinding tales on Wanda's porch. After moving to New York, George missed the sense of connection he had felt sharing stories with his friends back home, and he decided to invite a few friends over to his New York apartment to tell and hear stories. Thus the first "Moth" evening took place in his living room. Word of these captivating story nights quickly spread, and The Moth moved to bigger venues in New York. Today, The Moth conducts eight ongoing programs and has brought more than 3,000 live stories to over 100,000 audience members."

With the success of The Moth and all its now big-time storytellers, MothUP was created as a way for folks in Anytown, USA to have their own smaller Moth meet-ups at home and share their stories via online video and recordings. And here in Atlanta, the local MothUP gathering at Manuel's Tavern was intended to be just that - bringing about 20 people to swap stories around a common theme. Instead, it drew over 100 people on the first night. Turns out, the idea of Georgia-style storytelling really resonated in its own home state. Go figure.

As the monthly event continues to be so popular, even Moth HQ in New York is keen on the idea of expanding its presence in Atlanta. And this Labor Day weekend, MothUP Atlanta has big plans for a gathering of all sorts of story-lovers at The Decatur Book Festival. And we plan to be there, gathered like little nocturnal insects around an open flame, listening to headlining storytellers Hollis Gillespie and founder George Dawes Green as they share their own beloved true stories.

Listen to Green discuss the common human hunger we all have for storytelling.

Make plans to check out The MothUP at Decatur Book Festival this weekend on their site, or join in the monthly Moth meet-ups at Manuel's Tavern.

Or check out MothUP Atlanta's Facebook page