Back to Basics: Writing & Publishing Memoir

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It can be very difficult to sell a memoir when you're not famous. Without a celebrity's
fan base, or a loyal and captive audience, then you need to write like a master, or
have such a fantastical story that no one can divert their attention from it!



The other question that often arises with memoir is: How true does it have to be?
That may sound like a funny question, but it's a valid one.



Below you'll find links to the most useful advice I've seen (or offered) in the past
couple years on writing and publishing memoir.




OR: If you prefer to have someone present material to you in a focused and interactive
format, then I highly recommend the upcoming
Writer's Digest webinar this Thursday with Adams Media editor Peter Archer.





From Writer's Digest magazine

The
Market for Memoirs (July/August 2010), an agent roundtable on what they're looking
for and what sells



The Key
Elements of Writing a Good Memoir (July/August 2010), on story arc



A Hook for Every
Book (July/August 2010), by agent Paula Balzer on finding a salable hook for your
memoir



Do Memoirs Have
to Be True? (July/August 2010)



Full Disclosure by Laurie Rosin (July/August
2010), on why you shouldn't gloss over the tough stuff when writing your memoir (look
on right-hand side of site for link to article)

My own advice at NO RULES

5
Common Flaws in Memoir Projects




Your No. 1 Challenge
If You're Writing a Memoir

Your
Self-Help Book Should Not Be a Thinly Disguised Memoir

Guest posts at NO RULES

Creating
Memoir That's Bigger Than Me, Me, Me

Writing
Memoir: Art vs. Confessional

3
Important Privacy Issues in Memoir

My favorite agent & editor advice on memoir

Why
is it so difficult to find representation or a publisher for a memoir focusing on
overcoming personal adversity? from agent Rachelle Gardner



Agent Rachelle
Gardner on writing memoir [similar to above, but different angle]

My favorite book on personal stories & memoir

The
Situation and The Story by Vivian Gornick

What are your favorite articles, blog posts, or books that specifically address memoir
writing? Share in the comments! I'd love to find more resources. In my mind, this
is a topic that's not covered often enough.



Photo
credit: godutchbaby


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