Memoir Land by Sari Botton

Since 2010, invariouspublications, I’ve interviewed authors—mostly memoirists—about aspects of writing and publishing. Initially I did this for my own edification, as someone who was struggling to find the courage and support to write and publish my memoir. I’m still curious about other authors’ experiences, and I know many of you are, too. So, inspired by the popularity of The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire, I’ve launched The Memoir Land Author Questionnaire.

Readers, During my eight years as the editorial director of a wonderful storytelling non-profit called TMI Project, I often had to come up with writing prompts for workshops I led.

The story of my newest book, What Are You Waiting For? An Anthology, and the tale of how I became a writer are linked. They hold hands in my mind’s eye though that bond may not be easy to see outside of this writer’s imagination. But they are there, I promise. I am reminded of those connect-the-dots coloring books. I am reminded of finders keepers. This story, the “How My Book Came To Be” story, is one of finding. And keeping. With a little gathering in between.

Since 2010, invariouspublications, I’ve interviewed authors—mostly memoirists—about aspects of writing and publishing. Initially I did this for my own edification, as someone who was struggling to find the courage and support to write and publish my memoir. I’m still curious about other authors’ experiences, and I know many of you are, too. So, inspired by the popularity of The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire, I’ve launched The Memoir Land Author Questionnaire.

Welcome to Memoir Land—a newsletter edited by Sari Botton, now featuring four verticals: Memoir Monday, a weekly curation of the best personal essays from around the web brought to you by Narratively, The Rumpus,  Granta, Guernica, Oldster Magazine, Literary Hub, Orion Magazine, The Walrus, Electric Literature, and WBUR’s Cognoscenti. Below is this week’s curation. At the bottom are instructions for submitting. ⬇️ First Person Singular, featuring original personal essays.

Since 2010, invariouspublications, I’ve interviewed authors—mostly memoirists—about aspects of writing and publishing. Initially I did this for my own edification, as someone who was struggling to find the courage and support to write and publish my memoir. I’m still curious about other authors’ experiences, and I know many of you are, too. So, inspired by the popularity of The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire, I’ve launched The Memoir Land Author Questionnaire.

Readers, During my eight years as the editorial director of a wonderful storytelling non-profit called TMI Project, I often had to come up with writing prompts for workshops I led.

The author with her friends, when they were in their 20s and going to Grateful Dead shows. Photo by Stephen Levin. I’ve tried to tell the story of Kristin a thousand times and a thousand times I’ve failed. She’s been a dream, she’s been a poem, she’s been a sigh after a breakdown of long tears, she’s been a smile after a brief moment of joy, she’s been a rumor to others before I met her, she’s a legend to those I’ve met after.

Since 2010, invariouspublications, I’ve interviewed authors—mostly memoirists—about aspects of writing and publishing. Initially I did this for my own edification, as someone who was struggling to find the courage and support to write and publish my memoir. I’m still curious about other authors’ experiences, and I know many of you are, too. So, inspired by the popularity of The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire, I’ve launched The Memoir Land Author Questionnaire.

Since 2010, invariouspublications, I’ve interviewed authors—mostly memoirists—about aspects of writing and publishing. Initially I did this for my own edification, as someone who was struggling to find the courage and support to write and publish my memoir. I’m still curious about other authors’ experiences, and I know many of you are, too. So, inspired by the popularity of The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire, I’ve launched The Memoir Land Author Questionnaire.