Writing & Selling Your Memoir: How to Craft Your Life Story So That Somebody Else Will Actually Want to Read It

by Paula Balzer

There's more to writing a memoir than just writing your life story.

A memoir isn't one long diary entry. Rather, it's a well-crafted story about a crucial, often exceptionally difficult, time in someone's life. Writing & Selling Your Memoir talks readers through the process of telling their most personal stories in a compelling, relatable, and readable manner. Unlike other books dedicated to the art and craft of writing memoir, it teaches readers how to approach the genre with love, respect, and know-how without sentimentalizing it.

Drawing on her experience working with New York Times best-selling memoirists, literary agent Paula Balzer carefully explores the genre and provides readers with step-by-step instruction on how

   • Identify strong opening and closing points
   • Find and develop a strong central hook that readers can relate to
   • Structure a memoir to maximize readability
   • Use dialogue and pacing to enhance intimacy
   • Approach honesty and truthfulness
   • Build a successful author platform around their memoir
   • Get an agent's attention
   • Get published


Full of tips, techniques, detailed exercises, and examples from best-selling memoirs as well as sidebars from well-known memoir authors, Writing & Selling Your Memoir teaches you how to approach an often tricky genre and tell your story without sentimentalizing it.

Genres: Writing, Memoir, Nonfiction, Reference

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 2011

Reviews

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several memoir writing books, and this is one of the best. The first two thirds of the book deals with writing focus, structure, voice, setting parameters, and why write a memoir. The third third deals with writing, setting goals, finding time, avoiding distractions, working with others, and getting published. Numerous examples are presented though out the text. Additional examples are listed in each chapter. This book is very succinct and motivational, although I'm still contemplating my hook and narrative thread!

[Tracey Curzon-Manners · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this book highly enough for taking the reader through the process of what makes a good Memoir as oppose to mediocre. Plus, the author has the benefit of 15 years experience as a literary agent to boot making the chapters on what happens if you are lucky enough to land an agent invaluable. Packed with examples from best selling Memoirs (mostly US writers who I needed to look up) and recommendations for further reading.
It's not often I reread a book once completed but as far as I'm concerned, this is my new writing Bible.

[Christina Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most helpful books on the craft I've read

I've been writing a memoir for an embarrassingly long time... I wish I would have read Paula's book and followed her suggestions back when I started. This book is packed full of helpful advice and examples of memoirs that exemplify whatever lesson she's teaching.

Some of the marketing advice is dated now and to be honest, I needed through the last quarter of the book without paying too much attention to that but the first three quarters that are actually about writing are superb.

[Jer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved moving through the example memoirs with the author. So much of what she shares lines up to what I've also noticed, the new ideas make a lot of simple sense. Regarding selling: there are tips in here for a online writer of any kind.

I also really appreciate the nudge to read/listen to Stephen King's "On Writing"

[Dina Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book chock full of useful information to start and finish and sell your memoir. Many resources for further reading listed. My copy is full of flags for useful info I can put into practice right now. I think some of the pointers on using twitter and other social media may have become dated.

[Harper O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very useful and keep it on hand. The first half is about writing the memoir itself, but the second half is info about publishing, marketing and selling. As of 2023, most of the info is still useable.

[Lee Button · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful volume. Great insights on the writing process for any hopeful or experienced writer.

[Cindy Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed with step-by-step tips, and really helped me to complete my memoir.

[Rhonda Rae Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a resource that every memoir writer should have in their library. One to dog-ear, highlight, and reference at all levels of writing.

It called me from the Barnes & Noble book shelf when I was perusing something to instruct and inspire my writing. This book was recommended by my memoir instructor after I had purchased it...confirmation enough for me. After devouring it, I now know why this book was mentioned for insight.

I can't tell you how much is in here...let's just say, everything. I'll have to read it again in order to give you a clearer review here so for now, just pick it up and read it. If you are an aspiring author of memoir, trust me. You will not come away unchallenged and uninspired from this treasure.

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

She is a literary agent and reads all the memoir books. She listed several, gave a synopsis, quoted a paragraph and described why it works. Still waiting to get ideas from her since I 11% done. I worked outside yesterday so could not, but it is going to rain today so will.

I bought this from amazon and onto my ipad through kindle interpreter. I like making notes and highlighting on my ipad. Getting good ideas and memoir books to read.

I am 55% and she is now trying to motivate me. I don't need that I need how to's. I hope it will get better. I want to read Stephen King's memoir next which also includes instructions on writing. I have started to gather documents I have written through the years and when I return home will pull the hand written documents on Dawn there.

[Sylvia Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

very helpful book but sooo hard on the eyes to read, print too small, and some white on black background almost impossible. I dont know who did production on this book but it really makes it harder to use than should be - so insightful from an established editor and agent and yet I may go back to it for future reference but I may not. I also value my eyes too much.

Second re read for our memoir writers book club shared by myself and my husband as one of our reading to each other choices _Useful again - more pertinent this time to where I am or we are in our publishing careers. It'll stay on the shelf a little longer until we wont need it ever again.

Most important lesson learned - make it easy to read for readers eyes

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Balzer cuts through the waffling about that any first-time memoir-writer engages in as they sit down at the computer to begin their journey.
First, Paula asks the right questions to help you establish your goal and define the parameters of your own book. Then she generously offers clear, concise directions to help you keep that focus on your goal.
Writing & Selling Your Memoir is an excellent book for any would-be author, or any author, for that matter!
Excellent, very well-written, and easy to read. I'd recommend this to any of my students.
Barbara,

http://www.barbaracarson.com

[Kathy Sechrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've got three "writing a memoir" books on my shelf - this book is the only one I've read to the end. The author used prime examples from other memoirs that I could easily understand and "get the point" from, and the exercises at the end of each chapter allowed me to have a great start into my own. I finished the book with a blueprint and structure for my memoir and insight to how to market myself and my book.

[M.B. Dallocchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

With limited local resources to assist me in polishing the second draft of my memoir, I went to my local bookstore to search for a helpful guide in creating more structure withing my manuscript. Out of all the different books I had sifted through, this one, by far, was the best. From no-nonsense, real world advice to suggestions on how to overcome mental barriers, this book elucidates and validates feelings of writers in this somewhat lonesome genre.

[NYBookDragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It was very informative, had great color, and covered just about anything that you would want to know when just starting out. She has a blog and a Facebook page that I have joined. highly recommend reading the book first, if you are thinking about beginning your Memoir. Thank you Paula!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge time saver! Without reading this book, I would have wasted years writing thousands of pages without any particular strategy. Paula guides you in selecting a hook, key themes and "scenes" in your life on which to focus, starting and ending points, and gives valuable information on selecting an agent.

[Lyna M. Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it to be insightful especially since it is written from an agent's point of view. I also found it inspiring. I even though I'm not focused on writing my memoir at the moment, there are pieces of advice that can be used for all writers. the last part of the book, about the getting an agent to publishing was perhaps the most universal section.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of books about memoir-writing and everyone has an interesting take and I found this one particularly interesting because she used lots of specific examples. Plus, as an agent she has a different outlook on the whole thing. Definitely worth reading.

[Stephen Serwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent advice, clearly presented. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seriously considering writing a memoir.

[Barbara Gareis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Paula has a great sense of humor. I found her advice to be honest, straight-forward, intriguing, and useful.

[Betty (Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a helpful book as I contemplate writing memoir. It was the book suggested for a class for seniors.