
This is an epic, investigative family story that required real out-in-the-world research. In this reported memoir story, the writer goes searching for a specific Nazi that was a part of her family’s lore. Here are a few of my favorite Narratively memoir stories, to give you a more specific idea of what I’m looking for: I want surprising stories, ideas that turn common tropes on their head and twist them. The complicated, messy, human stories that bring the reader deep into your life.Īnd I know every editor says this, but I want stories I haven’t seen before.
MEMOIR ESSAY HOW TO
I want the stories you’ve been trying to figure out how to tell for your whole life. Intellectually ambitious, emotionally ambitious stories that come pouring out of your depths - not the pithy anecdotes you scrape off the top like a pudding skin.

And by “bigger” I don’t necessarily just mean longer (though sometimes that too), I mean more ambitious. Some of these are well-written and heartwarming. There’s a slew of publications out there that publish 800-word personal essays about every small interaction and realization in your day-to-day life parenting anecdotes, romantic mishaps, chance encounters that all wrap up neatly with a hard-earned lesson at the end.

So, here’s a detailed run-down of everything you need to know about sending me your work - everything I’m dying to see more of, and everything I never want to see again: If you’re interested in submitting your work, it will make both of our lives much easier if you’re crystal clear ahead of time about what exactly I’m looking for. I’m always looking for new writers for Narratively’s Memoir section. How to Pitch Personal Essays (to me, and Narratively Memoir)
