"The days are long gone when publishing professionals were willing to take on a manuscript simply because it's based on a "good idea" or even because it's well written. With eyes focused on the bottom line, agents and editors now look for skilled and creative authors who come with an established audience, too. You Should Really Write a Book is essential reading for those wanting to write commercially viable memoirs in today's vastly changed publishing industry. It is designed as a guide for writers, editors, and marketing professionals. Brooks and Richardson utilize the newest social networking, marketing and promotional trends and explain how to conceptualize and strategize campaigns that cause buzz, dramatically fueling word-of-mouth and boosting the chances of attracting attention in the publishing world and beyond. Created to give writers a competitive advantage, this handy and concise book focuses on six major memoir categories, explains what sells and why, and teaches writers to think like publishers"-- Provided by publisher.

Introduction: More than an interesting story Pt. 1. A genre unto itself Learning from memoir's history Your role as a memoirist Pt. 2. Major memoir categories Coming-of-age Addictions and compulsions

Transformation stories Food and travel Religion and spirituality Outsider narratives Pt. 3. Here's what else you need to know Working with a co-author Contacting an agent.