Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion

Promote your book here. Please keep it related to the topic of biography, autobiography or memoir.

bumping to the top as I had a request from an author and hoping he will find this.

Thank you! The audience for memoirs and bios is a bit more narrow than a lot of the other groups, so it's nice to have somewhere to introduce our books.

I have a new work out that might be of interest if you ever read an interesting mini-bio/memoir...what I call an obituary worth reading. The title because as class notes about the changing nature of the Art of the Obituary. Soon the research about mortality, changing styles and attitudes, and working with neighbors expand my view. I'd be curious what connections you might find between Obits and Memoir???

The first half of the book is uploaded as a free PDF if interested. The title is: Writing An Obituary Worth Reading, A Guide to Writing a Fulfilling Life-Review

Just a note, if your bio or memoir is written by or about a criminal, you can also post it in the True Crime author group.

True Crime Authors

Koren, you can mark this discussion as important and that will keep it at the top.

Thanks Bellaza but I've never done hard (or soft ) time

Lady♥Belleza★✰ wrote: "Just a note, if your bio or memoir is written by or about a criminal, you can also post it in the True Crime author group.

True Crime Authors

Koren, you can mark this discussion as important and ..."

How do I do that?

Next to the name of the thread is a link < edit >, click on that, then click the box that says, 'Make this thread important'. That will 'stick' it to the top of the list.

Lady♥Belleza★✰ wrote: "Next to the name of the thread is a link , click on that, then click the box that says, 'Make this thread important'. That will 'stick' it to the top of the list."

Oh. OK. It was so small I didnt see it.

Hi

I recently published my first (one and only) book, a Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other. It is the story of my father's Holocaust journey. Raised in a prosperous, patriotic, churchgoing German family, suddenly they were identified as Jewish - a past always respected but never embraced. Even though they were baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church, my father and his family's life was turned upside down.

The book traces their journey as they struggled to survive. So far the reviews have been serious, considered, and noteworthy. Already 8 book clubs in my area have selected the book for their monthly read this fall and winter.

It is available on Kindle Unlimited.

I have a few spare Kindle copies should anyone be interested in reading the book and posting a review.

Thanks

Ralph


A Smile in One Eye: a Tear in the Other
Ralph Webster

My book "Go West, Young Woman!" is available in paperback and currently on free download for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

I have included some information and a link below. If you enjoy stories about animals, humor and a story with a modern day pioneer spirit, this may be the book for you!

Have you ever found a cougar on your swing set or a moose in your driveway? Go West, Young Woman! is the true story of one family’s transition from beltway living in metro Washington, D.C. to what they thought would be a “calmer” existence in rural Montana. They soon discover how unprepared they are for the challenges ahead, both comical and adventurous. The humor of their early encounters with cattle and local customs only masks the more ominous confrontations with predators and nature. Through their journey they discover the true meaning of the “code of the West,” a concept which has not entirely vanished from the American way of life.

https://www.amazon.com/Go-West-Young-...

Nancy wrote: "Have you ever found a cougar on your swing set or a moose in your driveway?"

Um .....

:::clutches Metrocard tighter:::

Um .....

:::clutches Metrocard tighter:::

I think we still have a metrocard somewhere, or at least a token or two!

Nancy wrote: "Um .....

:::clutches Metrocard tighter:::

I think we still have a metrocard somewhere, or at least a token or two!"

I have not had a cougar or a moose in my yard but I have seen a fox, a coyote, a badger or woodchuck (I'm not sure which), a deer, the neighbors chickens and turkeys, a skunk and assorted rodents. I have never seen a raccoon but I know they are there as we see their poop but are not sure where they are living. Also many different kinds of birds- hawks, eagles, pheasants, cedar wax wings, flickers, indigo buntings, pine breasted gross beaks, cardinals along with the more common ones. I love country living.

I guess we are kindred spirits, Koren. I too, love country living and enjoy all the animals and birds I see everyday. My life would not be the same without them. I have lived in may areas of the country, and each had something special to offer.

I joined the memoir group having just published a memoir of my own. I would appreciate your feedback and comments. Here is a brief description of the book -
Growing up with a mother who was always onstage was a problem. Mother, a dancer and an actress, had little interest in parenting. I looked for and found substitutes who could mother me. At different stages of my life, different women filled that role. My story covers my struggles from age seven until my mother's death when I was 25.
It ends a year after Mother's death when it is clear that I am navigating life's obstacles successfully.

Cardinal Days: A Coming of Age Memoir

https://www.amazon.com/Cardinal-Days-...

Floating in Saltwater: Memoir: A Young Girl's Search for Answers
Hi,
My memoir FLOATING in SALTWATER is a child’s view of serious situations. It is thought-provoking and presented in an easy, unique style. Unorthodox, with characters who are hard to forget, featuring people and their cravings, dreams, desires, fears, flawed sexual desires and the double-sided nature of human beings.

The setting is outside Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada in the 1960s.

Hello everyone! Thank you for the invitation to post our books. My book, "More . . . Journey to mystical union through the sacred and the profane" is a spiritual memoir, published by O Books and released last June. It's available on Amazon as both a paperback and ebook. I'm excited to share it with you all. "More" has garnered nice reviews and won SILVER in the Living Now awards in the category of Sexuality and Femininity. It's the story of my personal healing from PTSD, but it's also the story of my husband and I as we navigate through a crisis after he has an affair with my best friend. We don't separate but instead spend a year studying Love and Ecstasy Training (sacred sexuality) with Margot Anand after which we dive whole-heartedly into meditation and self-inquiry. Ultimately it is a celebration of the potential for holy intimacy with oneself and with one's partner, regardless of the circumstances.
https://www.amazon.com/More-Journey-M...

Hello Goodreads ers,
I decided to write about my life or as George Harrison suggested: Sharing my grains of sand.
From Sam Cooke,the Beatles,the 1965, 1966, Rolling Stones US Tours, Ronnie Schneider takes you through the production of the 1969 Rolling Stones US Tour, history's first mythic rock and roll tour; Altamont; producing the Greatest Rock Film of the greatest rock n' roll band, Gimme Shelter and the 1970 Rolling Stones Euro Tour. Crunching deals, babysitting the band, tasting wine, woman and dope this is a front row seat to rock s last great era- jam-packed with rare artifacts and all the paperwork to back it up.

I hope you enjoy it as my goal was to share the adventure that made history.

Sample pages: http://www.outofourheadsthebook.com/
Interview and review: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5...
On Amazon: http://a.co/dzuOj3L

Hello all, I am hoping some of you will enjoy our true story of leaving the city life in Washington D.C to live on a rural mountain in Montana, with our new neighbors, cougars, wolves and bears. Come West with us and you don't even have to get our boots muddy! https://www.amazon.com/Go-West-Young-...

Dirty Laundry - A True Story: From The Streets to an Executive One Man's Forty Year Journey

Hello Koren directed me to the group after a conversation and I'm glad she did. A bit about my book.

After so many times hearing you should write a book about your life I finally caved and did it. What makes it a bit out the ordinary is that "I did it"...and if you have a chance to read it you will understand how incredible that in itself was.

My book is a bit different from the normal in the Genre. It's written more like a novel and I did that to engage my audience and express my feelings and voice authentically. I still get goosebumps when I read some pages and also smile so I hope I can share those feelings with my readers.

I want to thank Koren for her open arms and I would be more then happy to share some free copies for those in the group. There is some strong language and violence so I add that disclaimer. I needed it to be real and sometimes it's a bit to real but I wouldn't' have had it any other way.

Thanks for reading I hope to hear from some of you and look forward to discovering some of the true stories here that I feel have an magical essence unlike any other genre.

Ivan

Ivan wrote: "Dirty Laundry - A True Story: From The Streets to an Executive One Man's Forty Year Journey
[bookcover:Dirty Laundry - A True Story: From The Streets to an Executive One Man's Forty..."

Welcome to the group, Ivan and thankyou for the kind words.

Ivan wrote: "Dirty Laundry - A True Story: From The Streets to an Executive One Man's Forty Year Journey
[bookcover:Dirty Laundry - A True Story: From The Streets to an Executive One Man's Forty..."

Sounds very interesting.

Ivan wrote: "Dirty Laundry - A True Story: From The Streets to an Executive One Man's Forty Year Journey
[bookcover:Dirty Laundry - A True Story: From The Streets to an Executive One Man's Forty..."

I'm at the half way point in the book. It is very good but certainly hard to read for those that don't like to read about child abuse. I did have one question and that is about the Nixon character. Was he a coping mechanism or how did he come about being the person that seemed to help you when you were at your lowest point?

Hi, my new book Mr. Bear, Polar – The Furriest Climate Refugee is out now. My story comes from a climate change victim's perspective. It's my first book.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Bear-Pola...

Hello, my new book is "Rowing for My Life: Two Oceans, Two Lives, One Journey" published by Arcade Publishing, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing. It's a memoir of my rows with my late husband across two oceans. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/Rowing-My-Life...
Thanks!
Kathleen Saville

If you're curious about things like spoon-bending, energy healing, quantum shifts and clairvoyance, you'll likely enjoy this vicarious, humorous journey of exploration!



P.S. If you hold strong religious beliefs and are not particularly open-minded about the great unknown, then maybe skip this one. :)

Hi all, new to the Goodreads community. Just wanted to let you know about the release of my first book, The Man Who Carried Cash: Saul Holiff, Johnny Cash, and the Making of an American Icon which comes out from Dundurn on May 27. It's about the unlikely, rocky relationship between an American country superstar Johnny Cash and his straightlaced Canadian manager Saul Holiff. Here's the write-up:

Before there was Johnny and June, there was Johnny and Saul. The Man Who Carried Cash chronicles a relationship that was both volatile and affectionate between Johnny Cash and his manager, Saul Holiff. From roadside taverns to the roaring crowds at Madison Square Garden, from wrecked cars and jail cells all the way to the White House, the story of Johnny and Saul is a portrait of two men from different worlds who were more alike than either cared to admit.

Saul handled the bookings and the no-shows, the divorce and the record deals, drugs, overdoses, and arrests. He was there for the absolute worst of times, but also for the best: Carnegie Hall, Folsom Prison, “A Boy Named Sue,” and Cash's hit television series. But in 1973, at the zenith of Cash’s career, Saul quit. Until now, no one knew why.

Here's the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.ca/Man-Who-Carried...

Any questions or helpful tips are super welcome, I have never used this site before so I'd much appreciate any author advice.

Hello Group. I'm David Williamson and pleased to join a group centered on biography and history. I look forward to learning about books in these areas.

I have written a biography. This is the story of my grandmother, Dorothy Ferguson. I think it is a great story, but she is my grandmother, I would love to hear what you think.

Thank you
David


Obstacles and hindrances often separate ideas and dreams from invention and success. Occasionally, people overcome the problems, they bring out new products and start new businesses. Dorothy Ferguson was one such person. While laid up with a broken ankle, this a grandmother from Greeley, Colorado, invented frozen cookie dough, Dottie's Quickie Cookies. Her success was rapid and wide spread. Packages of her cookies first available in just one store in Greeley, were within a few months, available in 30,000 stores nationwide.

Overnight, Dorothy Ferguson became America's cookie tycoon, and nationally known businessperson and media celebrity. She told the New York Sales Executive Club, "Where, but in America, could a very simple mother and homemaker take an idea and have the opportunity I have had?"

Ferguson's second career was her Calico Kate's Pantry Shop, in Glen Haven Colorado. Her shop became a vacation destination for special gifts and pantry items. She expanded and had shops in Scottsdale, Arizona, and in Frontierland, Disneyland, in California.

Happenings - Cookies and Calico is a biography of an entrepreneur, inventor, store operator, public speaker, and newspaper columnist. It is a guide to success in business and life and a great love story.


Happenings: Cookies and Calico

G'day All!

My name is John Smith (no, seriously) ... well John Cameron Smith to be more accurate, and I've transcribed my many misadventures into my autobiography, 'Been there, done what?'

Here's my 'official' spiel, please feel free to wander across to my page and share your thoughts.

Kind regards,
John

Australian-born John Smith never accepted the status quo. He left home at 21 with £65 ($200) and a ticket to Hong Kong with no job prospects. From there he worked his way around the world, primarily in advertising, achieving award-winning financial success in the USA, sharing his life with beautiful women and stray dogs. Returning home at 36, he became a papaya farmer, dabbled in real estate and retired at 50 to live in Noosa, Queensland.

In 2009, at 69, he pursues an internet romance with a doctor in China, marries there and returns to Australia but separates 3 years later. Then he goes to Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, finds a new companion, and brings her home to another unfortunate relationship.

The book is based on disarmingly candid, entertaining emails and anecdotes, many with comic overtones, written to friends in 13 countries. John’s adventures and misadventures include:

Growing up in Australia and comic military training, then years later: camping in the outback, extreme sailing offshore and other dangerous boating experiences, a family tragedy, surreptitiously burying his mother’s ashes, serious health issues in 2014 faced with fortitude and humor, kayaking with crocodiles.

While working his way around the world, sailing an out-of-control Sampan in Hong Kong Harbor into a US Aircraft Carrier; arriving in South Africa, giving his travel-stained clothes to a washerwoman who never returned, driving a tour bus in Europe, exploring Majorca with his mother on a motor scooter, writing a book in Mexico, nearly capsizing sailing over the back of a whale in the Pacific Ocean.

As a Senior Citizen seeking romance in the Far East encountering exotic lifestyles, ranging from rural to sleazy and potentially life-threatening experiences.

Sharing an unusual close romantic but platonic 17-year friendship with Michi, a very special married friend.

He chronicles insightful, poignant and amusing observations about daily life in interesting and dangerous places; different cultures, customs, food, lifestyles; quirky people; medical issues; dogs; sailing, hiking, camping, ballroom dancing, and friendship. John’s compelling accounts, often written under primitive conditions, include many cliff-hangers leaving concerned friends anxious for the next update.

I had a stroke almost two years ago, and I lost much of my language skills and my vocabulary. A part of me believed that I would never write a book again. Too many words were missing from my vocabulary and I had difficulties expressing myself. It’s been a long road back since then and I eventually started to write.

I just published my latest book; Fly wings, Fly High! It’s a short story and the first book I written since the stroke. It tells the story about my journey back to a new life, but also the story of a courageous bird, his determination gave me strength to fight.

The same summer I had my stroke, a little magpie was born in our garden. He had a huge disability; he couldn’t fly. One of his wings was deformed and much smaller than the other. Usually birds don’t survive something like that, but he did. Not only did he survive, he built himself a beautiful life in our front yard. Without him knowing it, he gave me the tools I needed and he helped me find my way back. With a little help from each other we learned how to fly again.

If you’re interested in my new book you find it here: http://amzn.to/2rFM3dN It’s published both as a kindle book, enrolled in kindle unlimited, and as a paperback.

Catherine

Catherine wrote: "
I had a stroke almost two years ago, and I lost much of my language skills and my vocabulary. A part of me believed that I would never write a book again. ..."
Whoa that sounds incredible.

Just want to tell everyone that my memoir Walled In, Walled Out: A Young American Woman in Iran is available from amazon.com/author/marksmarydana. It's the 1960s when I join the Peace Corps, dewy-eyed, naive, and hopeful. I'm sent to Kerman, a conservative provincial capital on the stark Iranian plateau. My roommate and I are the only unveiled women in the bazaar. Woven throughout this adventure are dusty travels from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea, colorful feasts, rich history and hidden romance. It recounts my journey from ignorance to understanding in this place that ixes mirage and harsh reality, a country where the people speak with many voices

bumping to top.

My Journey from Gomer to Ruth

https://robertgallant.wordpress.com/p...

Tiffany wrote: "My Journey from Gomer to Ruth

https://robertgallant.wordpress.com/p..."

Tiffany, I have to say, when I first read the title I thought you were talking about Gomer Pyle, who most people under the age of 60 probably don't know who he is.

Hi my newly published book is a little unusual; a biography in verse.

My mother talked about writing her story but could never get beyond the first chapter. Born illegitimately to a domestic servant in 1930s Brighton; the circumstances of her birth affected her whole life. Subject to emotional abuse from foster parents and her grandmother she married young and had four children. She was a loving mother and grandmother but couldn't find it in her to love herself. My book, Margaret’s Story is the book she never managed to write.

I had terrific reviews from people who first saw it on Wattpad and am keen to introduce it to a wider audience.

“Margaret's Story is the reason someone invented the word "heartfelt". This is a touching biography of a challenging life, well-lived... written with deep affection.

Mr. Green 's poetry is as captivating as it is well-crafted.

This will be the book that you tell your friends they have to read.”

"Go West, Young Woman!" the true story of my family learning how to live on a rural mountain, with bears, wolves and cougars as our new neighbors, will soon have a sequel! If you are curious about the story, here is the amazon link. https://www.amazon.com/Go-West-Young-...

I have also started a YouTube channel with stunning videos of mountain scenery, wildlife, art, baking and more. Even a new question and answer segment featuring tea! I hope you look it over. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3TN...

First off, let me say it's wonderful to find a place where memoir and biography is celebrated. It's ironic that I'm getting plenty of play in the radio/blog/podcast world for my real-life story where I'm allowed to plug the book at the end, but getting actual reviews of said book is a far tougher experience than I expected.

It looks like there's not a ton of action on this particular thread, but if someone out there is interested in giving my book a proper review, let me know and I can provide a link to get an electronic copy from the publisher.

Details of the book an be found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Thanks for consideration.
Josh

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to let everyone know about my new book (memoir) that just started selling on Amazon. It concerns the two years I spent preparing for, and serving in, Argentina as a missionary. It's aimed at anyone who's come to a new country, but is struggling to learn the language and the customs and the culture. It's a mix of the funny, the strange, and the spiritual.

Moving to top.

Hi I am Patricia A.E. Hampton author of Hello This Is Us, a memoir written in memory of my parents of some special shared times that we had together coming up as a child.

The setting of the story takes place in parts of rural Mississippi as well as Louisiana with a touch of good old southern hospitality. This memoir is geared for readers of all ages and is available at bn.com, amazon.com just type in "Hello This Is Us" in their search bar to be directed. Or view my page here on Goodreads.comHello This Is Us

Hello memoir lovers,
I am a published author of literary fiction but I have a memoir work-in-progress that I would like some feedback on.
The subject matter: a humorous look at mid-life, grief and moving on.
If you might be willing to have a look at it, please pm me.

-Sarah

Tommy wrote: "Hi everyone. I am new to Goodreads. There is so much to explore. I just published my first memoir - Growing Up Greenpoint: A Kid's Life in 1970s Brooklyn. I am not yet sure how best to use Goodread..."

As a NYC resident I would love to read this!

Lady Belleza - Thanks for the comment. I’ll be on the Golden State Book Podcast in a few weeks. There will be an opportunity to win a free book. Like and follow my Facebook page to get updates - it’s linked in my Goodreads profile - I’ll be posting more info there. Tommy

Tommy wrote: "Lady Belleza - Thanks for the comment. I’ll be on the Golden State Book Podcast in a few weeks. There will be an opportunity to win a free book. Like and follow my Facebook page to get updates - it..."

I went to your profile, didn't find any links. I'll check back.

Thanks Lady Belleza for checking on that. I've added my website, Facebook, and Twitter now.

I'll be posting a direct link to the podcast after it goes live on July 3rd at my website, www.tommycarbone.com and on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TommyCarbone...

(Anyone that is on Facebook, I'd appreciate getting a Like on my author page and please share the page as well)

That sounds interesting, Tommy.

Tommy wrote: "Kindle version is on sale until July 16th! Growing Up Greenpoint: A Kid's Life in 1970s Brooklyn.

https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Gre......"

Hi there! So happy to find others who enjoy nonfiction/memoir, etc.

Here's my up-coming book, "Craving Normal," http://michelemilesgardiner.com/

“Craving Normal,” by Michele Miles Gardiner. Coming soon!

Living in a rock hut on a nude beach, staying in a religious commune, facing an angry man with a gun, riding camels, hiding her freaky health food lunches from lucky Twinkie eaters – Michele didn’t experience any of this when her family lived in the suburbs of San Francisco. Then came the counterculture revolution. Her entire life changed: Michele’s young parents sold their home, bought a car and trailer over-seas and took her and her little sister to explore the world.

We know a lot about the “flower children,” but what does an actual child from that era have to say? While many tales about that revolutionary time are on record, few come from the perspective of the children who lived it. This collection of stories are from one child’s perspective – tales of becoming a young adult whose brain, and life, transformed from her early experiences.

Rebelling by cheerleading, eating junk food, attending honor roll parties, dreaming of being a foxy stewardess/actress – lame? Sure. But how else does a child of young parents of the wild Sixties generation rebel? By countering the counterculture.

Michele’s collection of stories, “Craving Normal,” – in which she rarely takes herself too seriously – span from her earliest memories of the suburbs (her idea of “normal”), through growing up trying to find a place where she fit in, once again. Does she find it? Is Hollywood a sane place to search for normalcy?

Your book sounds fascinating.

Mary wrote: "Just want to tell everyone that my memoir Walled In, Walled Out: A Young American Woman in Iran is available from amazon.com/author/marksmarydana. It's the 1960s when I join the Peace Corps, dewy-e..."