While at a writing conference earlier this month, I was pitched a lot of memoirs, which is great. I love non-fiction. The issue is, I often feel like a wet blanket when I explain why their story may not be book-worthy.
Many people have lived interesting lives or had unique experiences. But the key is determining if you’re one in a million, or one of a million, regarding that experience.
Writing a book on a topic that has been experienced by thousands, or even millions, requires you to set your story apart in a way that makes a stranger want to pick up your book – especially a stranger who has had a similar experience.
Setting Yourself Apart
I’ve been pitched countless stories on addiction, sexual abuse, mental illness, rape, cancer, grief, prison, disease—the list goes on. These are all deeply significant experiences, but the question is: how is your story better or different from the masses?
For example, Did I Ever Tell You by Genevieve Kingston is about a young girl who lost her mother to cancer. While many people have endured such a loss, the mother knew she was dying and filled a chest with gifts and letters for each of her children to be opened on every birthday and milestone she would miss up to their age of 30. The book begins with the author having three unopened gifts: engagement, marriage and first baby. It’s that poignant, specific detail that makes this book stand out.
More than 12 years ago, I read an article that began: “In five days, I’ll be homeless.” That sentence haunts me. Homelessness, tragically, is a common experience, but Brianna Karp’s The Girl’s Guide to Homelessness stood out by offering an insider’s perspective, as she worked her way back; ultimately becoming an activist for the homeless community.
My author, Rebecca Fox Starr, wrote a book on postpartum depression titled Beyond the Baby Blues. While many women experience postpartum, Rebecca’s was unusual in that it occurred with her second pregnancy, which wasn’t well-documented at the time.
During her bout, she couldn’t find the resources she needed, so she wrote the book she wished she had. Still, her own experience wasn’t enough to sell the book. It wasn’t until we teamed her up with a postpartum specialist—adding medical expertise and prescriptive advice—that we had success.
Why Are You Writing Your Story?
It’s important for you to determine why you’re writing this story. Is it for family legacy? A memoir for your children and future generations can be a wonderful gift—maybe not commercially viable, but deeply meaningful to your loved ones.
If you’re writing about trauma, addiction, or abuse, it can be a cathartic process. The act of writing can help you reflect on your journey and feel proud of what it took to come out the other side. Again, this might not be commercially viable, but it’s a powerful and often necessary exercise.
Then there are those who want to write about the “good old days,” or the wild and crazy things that happened to them growing up. During a recent pitch, one man told me how “a fat kid” sat on him for three hours in middle school, then in his 20s he was hit by a car, breaking nearly every bone in his body. He went on to recount a dozen more similar tragedies and misadventures. While I’m sure his stories are a hit at parties, it’s not a book a stranger would buy—especially if they can’t tell you about that time in college when…
Finding Your Unique Angle
So how do you avoid that dreaded “wet blanket” moment when your passion meets publishing reality? The answer lies in knowing what makes your story not just worth telling, but worth reading.
It’s about digging deep. What universal truth does your story convey? What unique perspective or expertise do you bring? What elements of your experience can elevate it beyond just personal significance? Above all, would you read this book if it were written by someone else?
Think of your book as a conversation with the world. You don’t need to have lived an extraordinary life—but you do need to offer something extraordinary to your readers. When you can bridge that gap between your personal story and the broader human experience, then your story just might be book-worthy.