You have a story to tell. But how do you convince the publishing industry that people want to read it?
In a world where an estimated two to three million books are published every year, your memoir needs to stand out—not just with compelling storytelling, but with a marketable hook that expands its audience. Enter memoir-plus, a powerful approach that blends memoir with something more, making it bigger, bolder, and more irresistible to readers and publishers alike.
Memoir-plus isn’t just a trend; it’s what agents and editors are actively looking for. This hybrid storytelling approach adds depth, broadens appeal, and helps your book reach a larger audience.
In a world where an estimated two to three million books are published every year, your memoir needs to stand out—not just with compelling storytelling, but with a marketable hook that expands its audience. Enter memoir-plus, a powerful approach that blends memoir with something more, making it bigger, bolder, and more irresistible to readers and publishers alike.
Memoir-plus isn’t just a trend; it’s what agents and editors are actively looking for. This hybrid storytelling approach adds depth, broadens appeal, and helps your book reach a larger audience.
What is Memoir-Plus?
Coined by author and book coach Leigh Stein, memoir-plus is a term for memoirs that incorporate other elements. It's what happens when your life story gets a plus-one to the literary party—whether it’s history, pop culture, self-help, or that obsession with gypsies that’s haunted you your entire life.
(I’m looking at you, Marlene Schiwy, and your memoir Gypsy Fugue).
Coined by author and book coach Leigh Stein, memoir-plus is a term for memoirs that incorporate other elements. It's what happens when your life story gets a plus-one to the literary party—whether it’s history, pop culture, self-help, or that obsession with gypsies that’s haunted you your entire life.
(I’m looking at you, Marlene Schiwy, and your memoir Gypsy Fugue).
Memoir-plus is known by other names:
Even if you’re not chasing a traditional book deal, you probably want more than just your best friend and Mrs. Banks, your high school English teacher, reading your book (no offense, Mrs. Banks, and thanks for believing in me). Memoir-plus helps make sure your story has a wider audience.
- Hybrid memoir
- Blended memoir
- Genre-defying or genre-bending memoir
- “More than a traditional memoir”
- A combination of memoir and _______ (you fill in the blank!)
Even if you’re not chasing a traditional book deal, you probably want more than just your best friend and Mrs. Banks, your high school English teacher, reading your book (no offense, Mrs. Banks, and thanks for believing in me). Memoir-plus helps make sure your story has a wider audience.
What You'll Learn in this Workshop
- Memoir-plus vs. traditional memoir—what sets them apart and why it matters
- A diverse range of memoir-plus examples to spark your inspiration
- 20+ creative “plus” suggestions to help shape make your memoir stand out
- Ways to position your memoir-plus in a book proposal to attract agents and publishers
- How to leverage your "plus" to strengthen your author platform (yes, it’s necessary!)
This interactive, idea-packed session will help you explore new ways to frame your memoir, whether you’re still brainstorming or deep into drafting. You’ll leave with fresh inspiration, actionable insights, and a clearer path toward a memoir that truly stands out (and my signature Powerpoint slides!).
Join me for this 90-minute workshop and start thinking bigger about your story.
Because your memoir deserves a place on as many nightstands as possible.
Join me for this 90-minute workshop and start thinking bigger about your story.
Because your memoir deserves a place on as many nightstands as possible.
NOTE: One of the challenges of writing memoir-plus is making the "plus" flow seamlessly into your story. Consider taking my mosaic memoir course for strategies for writing a cohesive story. Click here to learn more about it.