The Memoir Method Podcast is a place for readers and writers to connect over the power of story. Underpinned by the Bookish Edits core belief—You have a story that matters—The Memoir Method Podcast will prove to listeners that anyone who wants to write a memoir can.

Most episodes are twenty minutes or less, designed to deliver perspective, encouragement, and tangible tools that will ensure progress and momentum in your own memoir writing.

If you’ve listened to the show and like what you hear, I’d love it if you could leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Ratings and reviews really do help the podcast find its ideal audience. Thank you for coming along for the ride!

subscribe in your podcast player

Explore more podcast episodes below!

Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

103: Why it Works (or Not)—The Tragedy of True Crime, Part 1

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir / true crime hybrid, The Tragedy of True Crime, and today is part 1. Let’s get started.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

102: The Real Reason You Can’t Shortcut Your Memoir

This episode is for the writer who thinks that if they just found the right editor then they could make sense of their memoir. When creativity gets hard, it sometimes stops being fun, and when that happens, you start wondering if there isn’t an easier way to make this memoir happen. Spoiler alert, there isn’t a shortcut. You do have to do the hard part. But the way you walk through the hard part? That’s where we get to play and that’s what we’re diving into today. Let’s get into it.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

101: Why Your Editor Couldn’t Fix Your Memoir

This episode is for the writer who has been burned by editors before. You’ve invested time, money, and trust into an editor, and you feel if not betrayed, at least disillusioned. Your memoir isn’t any closer to being finished and now your document is marked up with comments and changes that you don’t know what to do with. Today I want to dive into why that is and how to re-empower yourself as the author seeking support.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

100: Why It Works (or Not) My First Memoir Client! Andrea Verbanic

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This episode is special for three reasons: First, we sit down to discuss this month's memoir, Renegade Agency with the author herself, Andrea Verbanic. Second reason, Andrea was my very first client and third this is my 100th episode! Let's get into it!

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

99: Breaking the Rewrite Cycle

This episode is for the writer who is embarrassed to tell me how many times you’ve rewritten your draft. You’re committed and resilient, but yet that’s not resulting in a manuscript that you’re proud of and want others to read. The big reframe we get to explore today is that rewriting is not the same as revising. This is a big one, so let’s get into it.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

98: Why It Works (or Not): Renegade Agency, Part 2

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Renegade Agency by Andrea Verbanic, and today is part 2.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

97: Why Finishing Your Memoir Isn’t about Willpower

This episode is for the writer who makes time to write and is committed to her memoir, but still isn’t making any progress. If willpower could finish and publish your memoir, my job as a writing coach and editor would look a lot different. In today’s episode, I’ll show you why willpower actually isn’t your problem and how this reframe can refresh your entire writing process. Let’s get into it.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

96: Why It Works (Or Not): Renegade Agency, Part 1

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Renegade Agency by Andrea Verbanic, and today is part 1.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

95: When You Stop Feeling Creative

This episode is for the writer who sits down at her computer and realizes that she’s not having fun anymore. You may have started off feeling lit up, inspired, and creative, but now everything feels flat. You’re opening your document because you feel like you have to, not because you actually want to or feel that you’re making progress. But here’s the thing: You won’t ever finish if you’re writing to check a box. So today I want to help you tap back into what it would feel like to come at your memoir draft with creativity again. Let’s get into it!

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

94: Essay Collections with Annie B. Jones

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. In September I dived deep into Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones, and today we actually get to talk to Annie! Let’s welcome her to the show!

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

93: When You Can’t Afford an Editor

This episode is for the writer who has looked into an editor and is intimidated by the average investment required to partner with a publishing professional. I know that there can be some sticker shock, especially if you’re new to publishing. I want you to come into this episode ready to orient yourself with where you are in your writing and ready to think critically about how you want to use an editor’s expertise. We can’t talk about publishing (and especially independent publishing) without talking about money, so let’s get started.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

92: Why It Works (Or Not): Ordinary Time, Part 2

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones, and today is part 2.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

90: Why It Works (Or Not): Ordinary Time, Part 1

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones. Let’s get started.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

89: When to Edit Your Own Memoir Manuscript

This episode is for the writer who is ready to take a serious look at their work. Part of becoming a published author is the ability to get honest and serious about your own writing and drafts. Memoir can make this especially difficult, but I’m here to show you how and when to go into editing your own work. I know it’s intimidating, and it’s also a skill that you can learn! Let’s get started.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

88: When You’re Not Ready for an Editor (Yet)

This episode is for the writer who is writing, has a big chunk of a manuscript even, but isn’t sure about when to enlist the help of an editor. I’ve worked with a lot of writers who have had negative or lackluster experiences with editors before, and my intention in this episode is to empower you to choose the right editor at the right time with the right manuscript. Let’s get started.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

87: How to Write Yourself as a Character

This episode is for the writer who wants to make sure that the reader will be on her side and know what she’s thinking and what she’s experiencing. Writing yourself as a character can be tricky, because you can assume the reader either needs explanations that are actually too much information or that the reader can read your mind. Today we’re going to learn how to see yourself as a character and how to know when to trust your reader and when they need a little hand holding. Let’s get started.

Read More
Mckayla Garrett Mckayla Garrett

86: Finding Your Ardent Fans

This episode is for the writer who is afraid that no one will buy their book. You want people to read, buy, and share your book, but you don’t actually believe that it will happen. Breaking into the publishing world feels so out of reach that you’re paralyzed with the prospect of building an author platform and that fear that no one will buy your book is loud. I’m here in this episode to disrupt that internal narrative you have playing right now, because the truth is that you have readers waiting for you. You just have to start the conversation already! Let’s get started.

Read More
Charlotte Wilson Charlotte Wilson

85: Why It Works (or Not): Sociopath, Part 2

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Sociopath by Patric Gagne. You can find part 1 of this month’s breakdown back in episode 83.

Read More
Mckayla Garrett Mckayla Garrett

84: Jumping from Aspiring Writer to Published Author

This episode is for the writer who still calls themselves aspiring. I'm going to get a little salty in this episode because the truth is that that single word is cannibalizing your author career. Spoiler alert, if you think about yourself as an aspiring writer, it will take you a hell of a lot longer to publish your book than you want. Let's talk about it.

Read More