Are memoirs still hard to sell?

Question

Hi. I've written a memoir tentatively entitled, "Breaking the Code-A Daughter's Journey." I'm wondering what the opinion is as to whether memoir is hard to sell because of the whole James Fry thing. And if I don't call it memoir, what do I call it? Narrative non-fiction? Is that even a section in a bookstore? Thanks in advance! ~Karen

Answer 1

My experience has been that anything besides mainstream fiction or non-fiction is hard to sell ... for your agent ... and beyond that, it's not really your business, as a writer. You job is to do the best work you possibly can- and then have an editor look at it, and work some more.

Actually, I think the real question you need to answer--and only you can answer it--is whether you want to be, whether you can be, a writer who writes for the market. Some can ...most cannot.

Hint: you can write it however you want - and call it fiction - or not!

Answer 2

James Fry gives good people like yourself a bad name.

Memoirs are as popular as ever,I buy at least one a month.

Answer 3

Call it a bibliography. Personally, I wouldn't buy it, but some people would. I don't really like nonfiction.