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Archive | Publication

Although a small number of writers we work with have no interest in publication and will share their memoir in electronic form with friends and relatives, they are very much the exception as memoir publication remains the goal of most memoirists.

The moment you hold your book in hand

There is something wonderful about the moment you first hold your book in hand. You first eye the cover and see your name on the page. Then you turn the book over and see your photo and the author bio. You are the real thing! You flip through the book and sure enough: it’s your text that you are reading.

You are incredulous that you have pulled off writing and publishing your book—finally. Then later, you will have the opportunity to have launch party and do programs that the public will attend and buy your book. You will be a “real” writer!

(While this was written in covid-19 time, we are hopeful that this pandemic will end and writers will be able to market their books at public events.)

This category is not focused on self-publishing.

The blog archives list a category labeled “Self-Publish a Memoir” where posts cover topics relevant to going the independent publication route. This form of publication is what most of the writers we work with choose.

In conclusion

In this section, we list posts that are about memoir publication in general—whether independent (self) publication or through commercial publishers.

Good luck with your writing and remember that memoir publication is a natural end to all your work.

Showing up for my memoir

Showing up for my memoir– again!

DL: This is a reprint of a post that appeared in September of 2022. It strikes me as pertinent for many readers of The Lifewriter’s Digest. The final publication of French Boy took another year. I republish this both to present a proven process and to own that I have my challenges, too. I’m not […]

write your story

Book Publishing Tips: Better Book Production is Possible

My most recent book, A Sugary Frosting / A Memoir of a Girlhood Spent in a Parsonage, made its way to publication. To launch it, as many readers know, I created an advanced reader community and was able to gather 90+ people who volunteered to write a review for Amazon.

basics of book design

Basics of Good Book Design

I recently received a request for printing information from a reader who asked: I am getting ready to print my memoirs. I’m using Word and trying to figure out what typeface and type size to use. Also, what are the best margins to use? Are there any sources which might provide suggestions about the basics […]

best ebook production

Why You Need an Ebook

While in the past I had published only hard-copy versions of my books, I have increasingly included a digital version. It just makes sense, and I would advise writers that they need an ebook. Ebooks are on the ascendancy are more and more a viable publication option. Every year, their share of the book-reading audience […]

book launch jitters

Jitters Over Don’t Let Writer’s Block Stop You Launch

I have felt the book jitters as my new book Don’t Let Writer’s Block Stop You has gone out into the world. My anxiety is under control, but it remains a low-level anxiety. Were I to give in to it, I would be succumbing to a version of the writer’s block—the one that postpones publication—and […]