So you’ve written a memoir, now what?

First off, congratulations! That’s quite the accomplishment!

Now you want to know what do next. Let’s break down what a potential plan could look like.

But…before we start, let’s be clear what a true memoir is.

A memoir is narrative nonfiction that represents a snapshot of the author’s life offering personal perspective and emotional insight.

Unlike an autobiography, which is an account of an author’s entire life, a memoir focuses on a specific theme or event allowing the author to explore lessons learned and share them with readers.

Memoir is a powerful work of art that can help others in a similar situation or share insight into a situation the reader has never experienced. Both are equally valuable.

Just like fiction, a memoir needs universal themes, a clear narrative arc, tension, scenes, transformation and a satisfying conclusion.

So, if that’s what you’ve written, let’s talk what to do next!

1. Put it away.

You read that right.

I know you’re ready to dig into revisions and hit send to agents as quickly as possible.

But trust me, you need some distance from your work and you have other steps to take before you look at it again.

2. Read currently published memoirs.

I talk to many memoirists who haven’t actually read memoirs.

And that’s okay, but here is where it becomes really important for several reasons.

• You’re going to need current comparable titles in order to query agents. How do you find them? Read currently published memoirs.
• Study them. How are they structured? How much dialogue is used? What compelled you to turn the page or to not turn the page.

3. Get objective feedback.

Friends and family should be the last readers to read your book. Not the first. You need readers who will give you objective, honest feedback such as:

• Beta Readers
• Critique Partners
• Writing Groups

Constructive feedback will make your memoir stronger.

4. Revise for the story, not the timeline.

Many memoirists focus on chronology, dates, and absolutes. But that’s not what readers are looking for.

Readers are looking for emotional arc, voice, pacing, and tension.

We keep reading because we care, not to learn a list of chronological events.

5. Build your author platform.

Most agents/editors will look to see the author has a platform of expertise in the subject matter.

So starting on that sooner than later can set you up for better outcomes.

You don’t need 100K followers, but you need to demonstrate expertise, consistency, and engagement.

6. Do your research.

Resist the urge to query widely. Look for agents and/or small presses (who accept un-agented works) who are specifically looking for memoir.

You can find this information at places such as: Publishers Marketplace, Manuscript Wish List, the individual publishers website, and often in a Google search.

7. Create your submission packet.

• Query – a query is basically a resume for your book. You can learn how to write one here.
• Synopsis – a synopsis is a one page document that tells everything that happens in your manuscript. You can learn how to write one here.
• Opening Pages – typically agents/publishers request the opening pages (5 to 10) to evaluate the manuscript. You can make sure yours is polished here.
• Marketing Proposal – a marketing proposal is a document that shows your marketing plan (the majority of marketing falls on authors), relevancy of this title to the current memoir market, target audience, etc. In other words, why is this book worth investing in?

8. Prepare for rejection.

For most all authors, rejection is part of the process. It isn’t necessarily a reflection on your story. It can be timing, positioning, sales potential, etc.

Allow yourself to feel the emotions while knowing this really isn’t personal.

Something to Consider

Unless the author has a huge platform or is a celebrity, memoirs can be a tough sale.

If you keep getting rejections, consider revising as a fictional novel inspired by your lived experiences. For how to do this click here.

Resources

The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr – is an elegant and accessible exploration of memoir from an accomplished master pulling back the curtain on her craft.

Memoir Nation – is a free community for writers of personal story, memoir, or essay.

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing – is a podcast and Substack that offers candid, behind-the-scenes insights into writing, publishing, and the challenges writers rarely hear about.

Sally Lotz – is an author, book coach and ghost writer with over 15 years of experience helping writers turn ideas into impactful manuscripts. She works with purpose-driven non-fiction authors who want to honor their story and message and create a book that reflects the heart behind it.

Save the Cat Writes a Novel – a novel-writing guide from the best-selling Save the Cat! story-structure series, which reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success—including memoirs!

Final Thoughts

Writing a memoir is an act of courage. It asks you to be vulnerable, honest, and willing to share parts of yourself that many people never would.

But, as mentioned earlier, unless you are have a huge platform or are a celebrity, memoir is one of the toughest genres to traditionally publish.

That doesn’t mean your story isn’t worth telling. It simply means you should go into the process with realistic expectations, a strong manuscript, and a willingness to explore every path to readers.

A memoirist starts with the events. Then derives meaning from them. – Mary Karr, The Art of the Memoir