Memoir Authors discussion
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Should you write more than one memoir?
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Yes. Have written two. There may be more.
How can you cram your whole life story into one book? You haven't finished living it yet and what more good things are still to come.My book covered a specific period in my from 1985 to 2000 which had a logical starting point and an irrefutable ending point. My friends are trying to persuade me to write a follow up and although I would love to do it I have a couple of stumbling blocks. Firstly new readers could not start it without knowing the end to the first book. Secondly it would feature a lot of people currently alive who I would have to seek permission to use them in my stories. I know many would have no problem with this but there might be some who do.
I have a specific problem that members of this group might be able to help me with. I am trying to get more readers in the USA but how can I persuade them that the memoirs of someone unknown from the UK are worth picking up and reading. My book gives a vivid and emotional description of life "behind the Iron Curtain" in the 1980's amongst other things. I have been surprised by the comments I have had from a few American readers who said that they were "unaware that those sort of things went on" and it was "a real eye opener". I have recently had one Australian reader say that it was the best book she had read for a long time. So I know people enjoy it once they have decided to buy it but how do I let potential American readers know this? I would love to hear your comments.
Graham wrote: "I have a specific problem that members of this group might be able to help me with. I am trying to get more readers in the USA but how can I persuade them that the memoirs of someone unknown from t..."Have you tried Amazon ads Graham?
Catherine wrote: "Graham wrote: "I have a specific problem that members of this group might be able to help me with. I am trying to get more readers in the USA but how can I persuade them that the memoirs of someone..."No I haven’t Catherine. Have you? How do they work?
Graham wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Graham wrote: "I have a specific problem that members of this group might be able to help me with. I am trying to get more readers in the USA but how can I persuade them that the ..."There is a bit to master but they have really made a difference to my sales. If interested, I'd recommend that you look up Bryan Cohen. He runs a free Amazon ads course a couple of times a year and it is very helpful.
Margaret wrote: "Often memoirists try to cram their whole life story into one memoir. A good memoir is focused on one key arc. If you have more than one, consider writing more than one memoir. I'm in the middle of ..."Have written 3 and am well into #4. May try fiction next.
I am just wrapping up the third memoir in my dwarfism trilogy. The first was published in April 1988 (Dwarfs Don't Live in Doll Houses) covering my life from birth to a young single adult. The second published in October 2020 (Pass Me Your Shoes) and tells my marriage story. The third will release in October 2021 (Always an Advocate); it also spans my marriage years, but focuses on my volunteer and professional advocacy for people with dwarfism and disabilities. The spin off into a third book recognized the appeal to different audiences and the decision not to include too many pages in one book.
I wrote my first memoir happily content being a nobody but thinking that people would rush to pick up a copy. It's not every day an authentic voice on male prostitution is heard. My second memoir, written to push sales on the first, gave background information. Outlined the childhood poverty of one abandoned by his mother. A nostalgic view of playing outside in the 70s with no boundaries. This was well received by people who knew me of old. My 3rd... I know, there are no bounds to my ego. My 3rd and latest, covers the 80s, secondary school and puberty. It's an unorthodox set of memoirs where, crimes and drug taking feature without condemnation. I believe for underclass British life, there isn't much available that doesn't adhere to the usual messages put out in books. My main character is flawed, hardly likeable but after reading, understandable... I hope. Playing Out Swings and Roundabouts
How many of you are working on more than one? Or are considering more than one?