The Best Marketing Tip I Ever Heard: Not every memoir writer truly cares how many books they’ll sell. Sometimes, a memoir is just something the author needed to write! It’s therapy. It’s self-affirmation. It’s memorializing a life. It fills an inner need. But if you hope to eventually sell your memoir, you’ll need to think about marketing. […]
Forks in the Road: A Memoir Writing Tip
This fresh new year brings us a “fork in the road” – a chance to make different choices. To do things differently. To work on your memoir, perhaps. Or sometimes . . . not. Rather than gritting your teeth as you make a “New Year’s resolution” to write, I hope you’ll approach these next twelve months […]
Three Ways to Start Your Memoir (Without Actually Writing)
Writing a memoir isn’t all about writing. Some powerful early steps actually don’t involve writing at all! Here are three powerful ways you can get started: * * * * * * * 1. Pick Your End Date: Okay, I know it sounds counter-intuitive to think about finishing a […]
Getting Your Memoir Printed
Most of my posts gave focused on getting your memoir written. This time I wanted to jump ahead and talk about getting your manuscript printed once you finish writing! First, the bad news: chances of a big publisher sweeping up your beloved work with a mega-contract are (generally-speaking) somewhere between slim and none, unless you’re close kin to […]
When Memoirs Bring Up Feelings
Watch out for the “Memoir Blues”! Working on a Memoir – your own tale, or the story of your family – can tap surprising, long-buried feelings. Memories and emotions you thought you’d worked out long ago. And definitely not just the happy ones. I know. Because it’s been happening […]
Can Old Magazines Help Inspire Your Memoir?
Looking for a little visual inspiration for your memoir? Old magazines can prompt a flood of memories to write about! Check out these images, for example (from Family Circle magazine of September, 1954 and Good Housekeeping of August 1959). How much things have changed in over 60 years – Family […]
Tips for Promoting Your Memoir
Some Tips for Promoting Your Memoir: So you’ve finished writing your memoir. Now, how the heck do you promote it? It’s one of the questions memoir writers struggle with the most! The awful, painful truth: book marketing is never easy. Worse yet, marketing a memoir can be especially difficult. That’s not […]
Feeling Stuck With Your Memoir Writing?
Tips To Break Memoir Writer’s Block: Somebody told me recently they’re feeling stuck with their memoir writing. Is that you, too? If so, don’t beat yourself up. It’s more common than any of us would like. But there are things you can do. Here are four quick tips to get your […]
A Successful Memoir Author Shares Her Tips
Q&A With Memoir Author Leslie Ferguson: It’s been quite a roller-coaster ride for memoir author Leslie Ferguson. Over 15 years in the making, her memoir “When I Was Her Daughter” was finally released in late 2021 — to great acclaim! Think multiple podcasts, signings, great reviews, and a personal appearance at the […]
Marketing Your Memoir Book
Marketing Your Memoir You’ve probably heard all the standard book marketing advice. There’s speaking, networking, newsletters, podcasts, and of course social media. But how else might you reach folks who would appreciate your memoir’s message? I reached out to ask a group of creative authors for some fresh ideas. One of the […]
Memoir Tips: Connecting With Your Reader
Memoir Tip: Don’t Forget To Connect! It’s easy to think your memoir is “all about me.” Which it is, in a way. It’s your story, your life, your memories, after all. But for most memoirists, getting their story down on paper is also about inviting someone else to join in the dance. […]
Why Your Memoir Matters
Yes, Finishing Your Memoir Really Is Important! It’s natural to question things. Sometimes we even question ourselves. Does it really matter if we finish writing our memoir? Well, here are three good reasons to keep going! First, of course, your memoir matters to you. After all, something stirred you to begin […]