Writers enrolled in the Memoir in a Year workshop develop and revise their memoirs in progress. Only twenty pages are needed to apply and enroll in the class. The group is limited to eight members, and each member has the opportunity to workshop fifty pages of their memoir twice in a serious environment meant to challenge and inspire each member of the class.

We meet in person (online) every three weeks for three hours and there are weekly page requirements to meet. The goal will be to complete a 60,000- to 75,000-word memoir. Each participant meets with Chris individually for one hour at the beginning of the class and one hour toward the end. The group also has a Slack workspace where daily word counts are recorded, questions are answered, and inspiration is shared.

The class addresses issues such as story arc, persona, stakes, memory and truth, and ethical considerations specific to the genre. Participants read and discuss published memoir chapters and excerpts to examine the tools of the trade, and they complete occasional writing exercises designed to bring their projects into sharper focus. Guests who can speak to elements of memoir writing are invited to join us at some of our meetings throughout the year (see schedule for previous cohort below).

“I highly recommend the Memoir in a Year class if you have ever wanted to write a memoir! I am in the current session and Chris is so supportive and knowledgeable about all aspects of the process. We've covered so many topics—structure, style, voice, publishing, agents, and so much more. The guest speakers have imparted such wisdom to us as well. I have written more than half of the words needed to complete my memoir, but it all became real when I put together the first 50 pages of the book which will be workshopped at the next class. Do it, you won't regret it!” — Kristen B.