Hello everyone!

I read a review in last Saturday's Guardian Review where Blake Morrison was reviewing three new memoirs about depression. Morrison claims that until recently few writers had published books about this subject. Then, he listed the likes of Elizabeth Wurtzel, Tim Lott and others.

Is there anyone on WriteWords writing a memoir about depression? Don't you think this might be one of the most brave books to write? Anybody here considered this idea?

Recently, I am finding that reading literary memoirs about subjects like depression more compelling than fiction. There are many members here who have a bit of experience in dealing with publishers. What is the general attitude of publishers now about misery memoirs? I'm not really talking about books such as Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes. As Blake Morrison says, it is hard to find well written memoirs or personal accounts about mental illness. I'm really interested in this area. Perhaps you know the titles that Morrison missed in his article.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Wish you all a fab Valentine's Day.
'Cruise'

Misery memoirs is still a big selling genre, although, as your quote by Blake Morrison says, "it is hard to find well written memoirs or personal accounts about mental illness." and for that reason a lot of misery memoirs are actually ghost written, and the jucier the details of the abuse the better, as far as publishers are concerned, as it seems that each memoir must top the previous one.
A lot of people find writing about their depression is a form of therapy, but one needs a lot of self-confidence to cope with the deluge of rejections one recieves when one jumps into the submission process; it's not for the faint hearted, or anyone who may still be prone to bouts of depression.


- NaomiM

Lewis Wolpert's Malignant Sadness is fascinating as well as very powerful, but it's as much an exploration as a memoir.

Emma

Thanks Emma for the recommmendation of Lewis Wolpert's book.

I'm not yet a full member of WW. So, I'm unable to access the Memoirs forum. Would it be useful to become a full member? How active are most full members here?

Memoirs currently has 3 members.

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As a part member you can join one group and upload one piece of work. You have a few days left of your free trial if you'd like to take advantage of this facility. Alternatively yo can upload one piece of work in the Archive and put a link to it in the Introduce Your Work forum.

Sunbathing in the Rain by Gwyneth Lewis has been very well spoken of.

Frances

HI Frances,

Thanks for the recommendation. I have just got this book. The back pages even has a list of other books on this subject.