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Mentoring To Write A Better Memoir


Write your best memoir

The Classic Text for Serious Memoir Writers
Now with FREE S&H and a choice of e-books.

You have the heart of a teacher, not just an editor, and I have become a much better writer because of your attention. A commercial publishing professional who subsequently reviewed the manuscript told me that the writing was good and engaging. I have you to thank for that. You were very helpful.

Click on the blue links below to find what you need to facilitate writing your memoir.
  • Our newsletter: The More Skillful Writer brings you writing posts, alerts of upcoming events, announcements of new programs available to you, subscriber-only sales and more. It is your regular connection with The Memoir Network—like receiving a letter from home.
  • Memoir Writer’s Blog—Over 600 posts to guide and support you to write more and better. (Check below for current posts.)
  • Coaching— Develop fundamental writing skills and techniques. There is much to learn, and much help is available. Don’t spin your wheels. Get coached.
  • Editing—Tighten and polish your memoir before sending it into the world. Sometimes this can include what’s called developmental editing. You can write your best memoir.
  • Ghostwriting—A professional writer will help you create your memoir. We can all be authors but we are not all writers. Let us be your writer. We’re good at story writing.
  • Proofreading—Be sure there are no technical mistakes littering your memoir. Every story needs proofreading—not just spell check but a more sophisticated scrutiny.
  • Book Production—You can self-publish a professional-looking book—as if it came from one of the big publishing houses. We also create e-books.
  • Courses—Learn at home on your own at your pace.
  • Memoir Store—Access quality, proven materials to help you proceed on your own.
What sort of help is best for a memoir writer?

The answer to your question is necessarily an individual one. It might be coaching, editing, ghostwriting, proofreading or book production. Any reputable company will offer a free consultation to help you define the options and select the one best for you.

What if I have not begun to write and don’t know what to write about but still want to create a memoir?

This is a frequent challenge for new writers. Coaching will get you to explore possible topics. Writing your best memoir is a big commitment, and you ought to be focused on something important to you. You need to take the time it takes to discover your topic.

What if I have already done a lot of writing?

Editing is your best choice. A developmental editor will advise you on how to strengthen your manuscript if that is needed and will show you how. A content editor can help you polish your existing prose. A copy editor / proofreader will prepare your final draft for publication.

What if I don’t want to learn to write but still have a story I want told?

A ghostwriter can help you to create a manuscript that is told in your voice and reflects your personality. You be the author; let us be the writer.

What if I’ve already written my book and am satisfied with what I have but I am just looking for publication services?

We have worked as the publication desk for many writers who want help to get their book published under their own imprint. We’ll work with you to produce a great-looking book.

 

Our most recent Memoir Writer’s Blog publications…

 

distance learning

Distance Learning: A Precious Opportunity

For most emerging writers, enrolling in an adult-learning program is an exciting experience. At long last, for a period of time that is long enough to make a difference, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in learning the “best practices” of the writing craft that you has been so wanting to learn for a […]

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memoir-writing resources

16 Memoir-Writing Resources You Can Use Today

Having the right resources available when we need them can transform any task from a problem to an enticing challenge. I don’t know about you, but when I am trying something new—let’s say propagating a plant—that I’m not knowledgeable about, I head for either the internet or my bookshelves. The internet provides quick information and […]

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Organize a Story Collecting Party

You don’t have to remember your lifestory alone.

Since our lives are usually lived in community and our lifestories have evolved with other people in tow, take advantage of this symbiosis to write the best memoir you are capable of by accessing a collective memory of your life’s events. Today, you will organize a lifestory party. (more…)

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You Can “Package” Your Books into Bundles.

It’s fair to assume that most and perhaps all the readers of this blog post are writers. We may not like marketing but we recognize its importance. In this post, I want to write to you about the importance of bundling in your marketing efforts. You—and I—ought to be always asking ourselves about how to […]

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join our memberships today

How an Idea Becomes a Book

This is how an idea becomes a book. ___ Every month (at 1 PM/ET, 12 CT, 11 MT, 10 PT), you can participate in a live memoir-writing workshop on ZOOM. Usually, it occurs on the third Thursday of the month, but in November, I will be traveling to give a book talk on the third […]

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History of early Canada

Book recommendation: “Here to Stay”

[This review of my latest book was posted on Substack on October 20, 2025, by Jean Edouard Pouliot. Thank you profusely, Jean, for your support in publishing Book recommendation: “Here to Stay”.] [Jean’s text] I wanted to mention a wonderful new book by my friend, Denis Ledoux, who has been writing for years about the […]

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life is early Quebec

The Making of Here to Stay

Until October 31, 2025, Here to Stay / Lives in 17th Century Canada is available with no S/H. Get your copy today. In 1995, I became intrigued with tracing my ancestry to the first of the Canadian colonists who bore my patronym. Who were these of my people who came to North America four and […]

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life is early Quebec

Here to Stay Launch

Here to Stay has gone live today. As I write this, I have sold the first copy of my newest book, Here to Stay / Lives in 17th-Century Canada prior to my Here to Stay launch event. The public life of my book has begun. It is now in the world and has to live […]

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