Do you feel deeply and passionately that you should write your memoir? Though I am not actively seeking memoirs, judging from the submissions my office receives, many people do. Please know this discussion does not include biographies. They are different from memoirs because not only are they written by a biographer, but the subject has been determined to be of great enough interest to warrant a biography. In contrast, anyone can write a book about themselves unaided and without any vetting.
Please Write It!
Most people experience some trauma, whether innumerable splinter-like hurts or one or more major events. Writing about them can be therapeutic and help put your experiences into perspective.
The Finished Product
When you’ve finished your book, you’ll no doubt think, “Wow, my experience is extraordinary!” Yes, your experience is extraordinary.
You may then think, “People who don’t know what this is like will learn from me, and those who have gone through similar experiences will want to read this.” Let’s consider that.
Buzzy Memoirs
For some time, existing was nearly impossible without hearing about Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre. Reasons included:
Widely reported scandal
Mystery
Promise that secrets would be revealed
Sympathetic author
Public outrage
Unique insider perspective
Now think about celebrity memoirs, and how the same reasons apply:
(Often) widely reported scandal
Mystery (The book answers how the celebrity’s past affected their life.)
Promise that secrets would be revealed (Why did the celebrity marry so many people, fall into drug addiction, or go bankrupt, for example.)
Sympathetic author
Public outrage (Celebrity bad behavior often makes the news.)
Unique insider perspective
Other Memoirs
In the meantime, many memoirs are written by people who aren’t famous or notorious. The submissions I see are written by authors falling into this category. Because I represent Christian works, the submissions are ministry-related or topical. These include memoirs such as:
I hit rock bottom and now serve Jesus Christ
I survived a terrible illness and Christ saw me through
I was abused and found escape and healing through the Lord
As a literary agent, I honor and respect the courage needed to share horrific happenings in hopes of benefiting others and leading them to a saving knowledge of Our Savior. Your life is a true witness to those around you.
This leads to the next question:
Should I Contact Literary Agents?
Does your memoir address the following:
Widely reported scandal
Mystery (Are enough people interested in the circumstances of your life to pique a publisher’s interest?)
Promise that secrets will be revealed (If you are not famous, can you give us insights about people who are? Are your circumstances unique and insightful enough to garner attention?)
Sympathetic author
Public outrage (Do you make people angry? If you are a victim, do you offer insights and solutions?)
Unique insider perspective
No One Would Buy My Memoir
If I wrote a memoir, I’d be blessed if 500 people clicked a link to find out more about it, and even more if 50 people bought it. I’ll have to say, I can’t blame anyone for taking a hard pass on A Christian Literary Agent’s Life. I find my life fulfilling and fascinating, but few would want to read about the joy I receive from typing this blog post.
It’s all about the reader. Whether the reason is entertainment or education, the reader must be compelled to turn pages.
What to do with All These Words
So many successful authors publish independently that releasing your work on your own is a great way to reach the people most important to yourself. On the other hand, if your memoir naturally presents help and insights regarding a topic, Steve Laube suggests becoming an expert. “When Your Book Becomes Personal”
Regardless of your decision, if you want to pursue traditional publishing, be sure to build your audience before approaching agents or publishers. A memoir needs just as much platform as any other nonfiction book.
A Few More Thoughts
Ponder the consequences of exposing the details of your life to everyone. Some readers will welcome your words, while others will be critical. Also consider the ramifications of writing about friends and family. If you’re worried, hiring a libel lawyer to address any passages that could leave you open to a lawsuit is a good idea.
My prayer is that you will be blessed, encouraged, and inspired by writing your memoir.
