I sympathize with Savannah! This is so tough and pursuing publication takes a tremendous amount of patience and courage. I'm rooting for her. The high-profile publication option 5 seems like it could work. Thank you Courtney for a deep dive into the market forces at play... so helpful!
Courtney, thank you so much for doing all that you do to demystify the publishing process. It is incredibly generous of you and I always learn so much from your posts. I'm rooting for you and Savannah to get the deal you deserve!
For someone just starting out, this is incredibly sobering. And helpful to know! I also like the fact you explain the various options. If the best option didn't land, then it appears there are many other ways to get where you intuitively seem to know you'll get to at some point, or I'm sure you wouldn't have taken the risk of the spec writing. Good luck to both of you.
I love reading about this process! And congratulations to of you for sticking with it. Thanks also for mentioning that you used pages to create your proposal. I love the idea of adding visuals! I'm in major revisions phase before my agent submits my memoir... and I have costs to cover. No indie for me. As I trim and tighten everything, I'm watching the original concept re-emerge, which was more of a memoir in fragments, or episodes if you will. It feels like a scrapbook with a narrative through-line and a few jolly cards along the way, and my ending is more 'The Way We Were' than 'Pretty Woman.' Hmmm....A strong visual concept could really help.
I LOVE the memoir-in-essay genre. Is there any way to write a few samples and include them in the proposal, without writing the entire thing from the jump?
Novelizing YA versions sounds smart for your project. I know someone who did exactly that to sell her story. At the end of the day, what matters is the story is out there, right?
Good luck with your book! One could certainly include some sample chapters from a memoir in essays book proposal, but for me, it's like with short stories-- you want to read the entire collection, not just a few stories.
Memoirs these days seem so dishonest to me that I just don’t read them anymore. The dishonesty is due to publishers. Too much spin.
Perhaps people should try self publishing serial memoirs instead, like ongoing episodes, so they can be more honest.
Plus, I hated people trying to commercialize my own memoir. The publisher wanted me to play up being from poor Appalachia, when I didn’t grow up poor, then they wanted me to cut that I’d been raped by a black man because a white woman just shouldn’t talk about black rapists apparently... ugh. I eventually was like no, and left the deal.
Just super disgusting to deal with publishers trying to spin your real life into a digestive movie by disavowing your true stories.
So, I feel your pain with this project.
How bout this: JUST DO A KICKSTARTER FOR THIS PROJECT. Then self-publish. Get the advance from the Kickstarter. You have a big enough audience. Raise the money up front.
Though I’m aware that a kickstarter is so much work compared to a publisher just writing you a check, but the reward for the work is retaining control over the truth. Priceless imo.
Thanks for all you shared above. We considered a Kickstarter for sure, but the amount of work was just overwhelming for both of us, plus, I have no audience on Kickstarter-- and the idea of asking my people here to migrate there was just too much. I liked-- and still very much enjoy-- sharing this project with my Substack peeps. I love reading a lot of self published memoirs for the unvarnished reasons you stated. They're so raw and often charming. Big fan. Savanah is actually a super talented writer-- it's just that with her TBI it's exceptionally hard for her to do concentrated work on the computer. But as her brain starts to heal, the self publishing track is one that she could take with a book that she writes herself. She wouldn't need me as a partner for that option-- she just needs her brain to be in better shape.
Totally. I don’t blame you. I did an indiegogo campaign once for a documentary film I was involved in and it was very successful, but also stressful. Picked up mainstream media coverage from it though, including a big evening Tv show, and people loved the perks.
Actually just lurked Lauren Groff’s current indiegogo and her perks are very juicy, but also quite expensive.
Overall though, I think Kickstarter is better. It was actually really challenging to get my money from Indiegogo when the campaign ended and there was a huge delay and a snafu and all sorts of issues. Plus, Kickstarter has an inbuilt, new audience.
In the thick of non-fiction proposal submission, feeling like I’m wiser at age 54, but dannngggg, would have loved to participate in publishing in my 20s when I was pretty clueless, but publishing was less obsessed with platform and happy/netflixability. I am rooting for you both. I know from experience how thorough, frank, and inspired you are in the proposal process. Appreciate your Substack so. much.
Courtney, I appreciate that you are keeping us in the loop of your quest for publication of Savanah’s important story. Thank you. I certainly hope there’s a way to maintain truth and find a palatable arc for one if the big five. Wishing you and Savanah a positive outcome! ❤️
Even if there aren't overt faith references, a book like this with forgiveness as a theme might interest Nashville-based Big Five imprints who primarily publish in the Christian category but also look for projects that would have crossover appeal into the general market. I know Onsite is faith-adjacent, so that may or may not be a path forward depending on how you and Savanah would feel about a primarily Christian publisher. Just a thought! And regarding Option 5, I think Savanah's story would have a lot of alignment with the kinds of stories and features in Magnolia Journal and on Magnolia Network. I *think* Carly Watters represents the former editor for Magnolia Journal so that could be an avenue to explore.
SUCH fantastic insights, thank you! One of our comps was UNSPEAKABLE which was published by a Christian publisher to great success. It might even have been Thomas Nelson, which you mention below...thank you, Morgan!
There's a lot to unpack here, but I'm not sure there's a great option other than the patience you mentioned. The fact that the "happy" ending isn't there feels like the Big Five isn't really plugged in to the real world which is a huge loss for readers. And who knows, maybe Tennessee IS the happy ending for Savanah right now. I feel like this is a project you put aside but don't abandon (because as you mention in Option 1 - you can't risk alienating publishers who might buy your novel in '24). Memoir readers might actually be taken with this book (and stongly relate to the reality that all things don't end "happily") but maybe it's a perspective shift on what "happily" actually is and publishers are too afraid to go out on a limb for that. At any rate, thanks for this incredibly insightful update. I hope her story still makes it into the wider world at some point (even if it is memoir-in-essays, which sounds very interesting).
also My memoir externally ends after a breakup and my decision not to pursue my dreams of becoming a professional rider but internally the ending is uplifting and inspiring to the point where the idea is the reader is happy I am no longer in that relationship and doesn't even care about the external riding goal at that point in the story since they are so invested in the personal growth and resilience I develop....It was important to me to not to end my story earlier when everything is great and it seems I am magically "healed" but to show that there is hapiness and joy and peace in the ongoing process and lifelong journey of healing
I loved being able to read thing and anticipate possible strenghts and weakness related to my own memoir. Just confirming you are trying to sell it on proposal given the need to have confirmation that It will sell before you take on that much work, correct? In a situation where someone is crafting their own memoir the best way is to query an already written manuscript, right? I would love to have an oppertunity to be a apart of the substack if I am not too late paige_lawlor@msn.com
Hi Paige, all the subscriptions were already claimed. If you sell a proposal, you get a book advance for it. (Money.) The money would cover me writing the actual book that was proposed in the proposal. Generally for first time memoir writers, yes, it's recommended to have the book completed before you query for it. As one becomes established (with lots of publications and a good sales track record) you can "pitch" memoirs or write proposals for them and sell them that way without having to write the whole book first.
That's what I thought, thanks for the clarification! It is always a bit confusing to know whether to follow fiction or non-fiction guidelines on agent profiles when pitching memoir
Thank you for sharing this. I appreciate your feelings you may be divulging too much, but I’ve never knows what nuggets can help another. I’m about to begin writing the proposal for my travel-survival memoir and never thought about adding photos to it, just that my before/after (professional photographer’s) pix could be added to the book if warranted. Golden nugget, so thank you! Wishing all the best with whatever decision you and Savanah make.
I sympathize with Savannah! This is so tough and pursuing publication takes a tremendous amount of patience and courage. I'm rooting for her. The high-profile publication option 5 seems like it could work. Thank you Courtney for a deep dive into the market forces at play... so helpful!
Thanks for reading, Joanna!
Thank you for the Publishing Confidential subscription! 🤭🤗
Courtney, thank you so much for doing all that you do to demystify the publishing process. It is incredibly generous of you and I always learn so much from your posts. I'm rooting for you and Savannah to get the deal you deserve!
Thank you for being here, Rebecca!
As always, this is incredibly generous. Thank you.
Thank you for reading!
For someone just starting out, this is incredibly sobering. And helpful to know! I also like the fact you explain the various options. If the best option didn't land, then it appears there are many other ways to get where you intuitively seem to know you'll get to at some point, or I'm sure you wouldn't have taken the risk of the spec writing. Good luck to both of you.
I love reading about this process! And congratulations to of you for sticking with it. Thanks also for mentioning that you used pages to create your proposal. I love the idea of adding visuals! I'm in major revisions phase before my agent submits my memoir... and I have costs to cover. No indie for me. As I trim and tighten everything, I'm watching the original concept re-emerge, which was more of a memoir in fragments, or episodes if you will. It feels like a scrapbook with a narrative through-line and a few jolly cards along the way, and my ending is more 'The Way We Were' than 'Pretty Woman.' Hmmm....A strong visual concept could really help.
I LOVE the memoir-in-essay genre. Is there any way to write a few samples and include them in the proposal, without writing the entire thing from the jump?
Novelizing YA versions sounds smart for your project. I know someone who did exactly that to sell her story. At the end of the day, what matters is the story is out there, right?
Good luck with your book! One could certainly include some sample chapters from a memoir in essays book proposal, but for me, it's like with short stories-- you want to read the entire collection, not just a few stories.
Memoirs these days seem so dishonest to me that I just don’t read them anymore. The dishonesty is due to publishers. Too much spin.
Perhaps people should try self publishing serial memoirs instead, like ongoing episodes, so they can be more honest.
Plus, I hated people trying to commercialize my own memoir. The publisher wanted me to play up being from poor Appalachia, when I didn’t grow up poor, then they wanted me to cut that I’d been raped by a black man because a white woman just shouldn’t talk about black rapists apparently... ugh. I eventually was like no, and left the deal.
Just super disgusting to deal with publishers trying to spin your real life into a digestive movie by disavowing your true stories.
So, I feel your pain with this project.
How bout this: JUST DO A KICKSTARTER FOR THIS PROJECT. Then self-publish. Get the advance from the Kickstarter. You have a big enough audience. Raise the money up front.
Though I’m aware that a kickstarter is so much work compared to a publisher just writing you a check, but the reward for the work is retaining control over the truth. Priceless imo.
Thanks for all you shared above. We considered a Kickstarter for sure, but the amount of work was just overwhelming for both of us, plus, I have no audience on Kickstarter-- and the idea of asking my people here to migrate there was just too much. I liked-- and still very much enjoy-- sharing this project with my Substack peeps. I love reading a lot of self published memoirs for the unvarnished reasons you stated. They're so raw and often charming. Big fan. Savanah is actually a super talented writer-- it's just that with her TBI it's exceptionally hard for her to do concentrated work on the computer. But as her brain starts to heal, the self publishing track is one that she could take with a book that she writes herself. She wouldn't need me as a partner for that option-- she just needs her brain to be in better shape.
Totally. I don’t blame you. I did an indiegogo campaign once for a documentary film I was involved in and it was very successful, but also stressful. Picked up mainstream media coverage from it though, including a big evening Tv show, and people loved the perks.
Actually just lurked Lauren Groff’s current indiegogo and her perks are very juicy, but also quite expensive.
Overall though, I think Kickstarter is better. It was actually really challenging to get my money from Indiegogo when the campaign ended and there was a huge delay and a snafu and all sorts of issues. Plus, Kickstarter has an inbuilt, new audience.
What is Groff doing an Indiegogo for?
Her new bookstore: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-lynx-a-bookstore-in-gainesville-fl#/
In the thick of non-fiction proposal submission, feeling like I’m wiser at age 54, but dannngggg, would have loved to participate in publishing in my 20s when I was pretty clueless, but publishing was less obsessed with platform and happy/netflixability. I am rooting for you both. I know from experience how thorough, frank, and inspired you are in the proposal process. Appreciate your Substack so. much.
Thank you so much Joeli! We're all in this together.
Courtney, I appreciate that you are keeping us in the loop of your quest for publication of Savanah’s important story. Thank you. I certainly hope there’s a way to maintain truth and find a palatable arc for one if the big five. Wishing you and Savanah a positive outcome! ❤️
Thanks so much, Kathy!
Even if there aren't overt faith references, a book like this with forgiveness as a theme might interest Nashville-based Big Five imprints who primarily publish in the Christian category but also look for projects that would have crossover appeal into the general market. I know Onsite is faith-adjacent, so that may or may not be a path forward depending on how you and Savanah would feel about a primarily Christian publisher. Just a thought! And regarding Option 5, I think Savanah's story would have a lot of alignment with the kinds of stories and features in Magnolia Journal and on Magnolia Network. I *think* Carly Watters represents the former editor for Magnolia Journal so that could be an avenue to explore.
SUCH fantastic insights, thank you! One of our comps was UNSPEAKABLE which was published by a Christian publisher to great success. It might even have been Thomas Nelson, which you mention below...thank you, Morgan!
Another connection: Onsite's VP of Marketing used to work at Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins imprint).
This transparency is so powerful! Thank you, Courtney, and good luck to you both as this project continues to transform.
Thanks Katie!
There's a lot to unpack here, but I'm not sure there's a great option other than the patience you mentioned. The fact that the "happy" ending isn't there feels like the Big Five isn't really plugged in to the real world which is a huge loss for readers. And who knows, maybe Tennessee IS the happy ending for Savanah right now. I feel like this is a project you put aside but don't abandon (because as you mention in Option 1 - you can't risk alienating publishers who might buy your novel in '24). Memoir readers might actually be taken with this book (and stongly relate to the reality that all things don't end "happily") but maybe it's a perspective shift on what "happily" actually is and publishers are too afraid to go out on a limb for that. At any rate, thanks for this incredibly insightful update. I hope her story still makes it into the wider world at some point (even if it is memoir-in-essays, which sounds very interesting).
Thank you, Brooke!
also My memoir externally ends after a breakup and my decision not to pursue my dreams of becoming a professional rider but internally the ending is uplifting and inspiring to the point where the idea is the reader is happy I am no longer in that relationship and doesn't even care about the external riding goal at that point in the story since they are so invested in the personal growth and resilience I develop....It was important to me to not to end my story earlier when everything is great and it seems I am magically "healed" but to show that there is hapiness and joy and peace in the ongoing process and lifelong journey of healing
I loved being able to read thing and anticipate possible strenghts and weakness related to my own memoir. Just confirming you are trying to sell it on proposal given the need to have confirmation that It will sell before you take on that much work, correct? In a situation where someone is crafting their own memoir the best way is to query an already written manuscript, right? I would love to have an oppertunity to be a apart of the substack if I am not too late paige_lawlor@msn.com
Hi Paige, all the subscriptions were already claimed. If you sell a proposal, you get a book advance for it. (Money.) The money would cover me writing the actual book that was proposed in the proposal. Generally for first time memoir writers, yes, it's recommended to have the book completed before you query for it. As one becomes established (with lots of publications and a good sales track record) you can "pitch" memoirs or write proposals for them and sell them that way without having to write the whole book first.
That's what I thought, thanks for the clarification! It is always a bit confusing to know whether to follow fiction or non-fiction guidelines on agent profiles when pitching memoir
Thank you for sharing this. I appreciate your feelings you may be divulging too much, but I’ve never knows what nuggets can help another. I’m about to begin writing the proposal for my travel-survival memoir and never thought about adding photos to it, just that my before/after (professional photographer’s) pix could be added to the book if warranted. Golden nugget, so thank you! Wishing all the best with whatever decision you and Savanah make.
Thanks so much Wendy and good luck with your proposal!
What a useful post - thank you! The reminder that writing for a market means understanding the market is so important.