So to answer this question I thought it would be best to start from the beginning-writing your life story. There are several books about styles, myths, and rules about writing available. Either go to your local library or bookstore and grab a couple of books on the topic to start your research.
Next, after you have done your homework on the rules of writing start to make regular appointments pre-planned with your computer.
It is a consistent process of writing on schedule that gets the job done. The average word count for a 200 plus page memoir is about 60,000 words. Do the math and divide your word count with your time frame of completing the memoir. So for example if you would like to write a book in one year's worth of time take 60,000 words divided by 12 months gives you a goal of 5,000 word count done a month.To break it down more, you would have to have 1,200 words done in a week-very achievable! Of course, if you wanted to finish the memoir in half the time then just double the numbers and so forth.
After you have decided to make the commitment to write your memoir and you have a time frame to finish the goal. Then you start with the basics. You will need a time line with events, places and memories done. Start with birth dates, birth places, and names. Then add in the events into the timeline. You can find templates of timelines online to just plug in the facts.
Next up, make your outline of chapters and what content they will include. This will be your road map to achieving your goal. As I would finish a chapter I would write beside the title of the chapter the word count total. It gave me a measurement of accomplishment.
Now that you have an outline, timeline, and a few chapters done you can start the process of getting your memoir published.
For Non-Fiction you do not need to have your full memoir completed.
This is what you will need done: a query cover letter, proposal/synopsis and a few sample chapters completed. This is the industry standard material required to get an literary agent.
The literary agent is the gatekeeper to all the big New York publishing firms. If you do not have the desire to be published with a major firm then you can self-publish your memoir. Depending on your goals the path varies to publishing. If you just want it published in a professional manner for friends and family then you can pay for a vanity press to publish your work. If you would like the nation to read your story and hear your message then you need a literary agent.
Literary agents will either take query letters online or via regular postal mail. On the literary agent's website it will give you directions on how to submit your work. Follow their rules!
What is a query cover letter? It is a one page letter with three paragraphs that agents read to decided if they are interested in reading more from you.Make sure it is really only one page! Write your query letter in 12 point font, business letter alignment with everything starting from the left with no paragraph intentions, and single spaced. Be professional and have it proof read by another person to check for errors.
Paragraph One: includes the hook. A one sentence tag line that gets a person's attention.
Paragraph Two: includes the mini synopsis.
Paragraph Three: includes the author's bio.
Closing: Give thanks to the agent for their time and consideration, and your contact information.
What is a synopsis? This includes outline and table of contents.
Lastly, include sample chapters and there you have it.....a complete packet for the agent!
So maybe now you are asking, "Where do I find agents?"
Send out batches of your queries to no more than ten agents at a time. Agents normally charge a fee of 15% rate on your advance and royalities once a publisher signs you on. They are worth their fee since they are working on your behalf to get the best contract for you, as well as promoting your work to several publishing firms.
Next up will be your contract with a publisher.
Normally for a new author you can expect a royalty rate of 10% of publisher's gross. This means that if a bookstore bought your book from a publisher for $10.00 you would get $1.00 per a book. These are real average numbers. Your agent will assist with your contract terms, however, I suggest that you find an attorney to review your contract offer.
Royalties are normally paid 6 months after the release date of your book.
So if your book was to be in stores January 1st then your January royalties will be paid to you in July and February's royalties paid in August and so forth. Keep in mind that publishers normally keep a sum of funds away for returned books.
This is the start of your memoir's journey. Enjoy the process and be creative!
.jpg)
