Memoir VS. Novel

[BellaIsabella]

Right now I am finishing up a book based on my blog. My question is, what should it be marketed as, a memoir or novel. It is based on my life, but its set up like a novel...

What do you think??

 

[sr71plt]

A novel. A lot easier to sell.

 

[SamScribble]

I think if you’ve written it as a novel, you should present it as a novel. A novel is probably going to have broader appeal.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a database of people waiting with their tongues out to read your life story, they won’t mind that it’s labelled as a novel.

Also, I suspect that a-life-as-a-novel might present you with some viral marketing opportunities.

 

[BellaIsabella]

Can you have a novel based on real life events, like a hybrid of a both of a memoir and novel?

I've got a blog with high readership, currently working on other areas of marketing.

 

[sr71plt]

Most novels are based on real-life events.

 

[SamScribble]

Can you have a novel based on real life events, like a hybrid of a both of a memoir and novel?

There’s a long tradition of roman à clef (or, as I have occasionally seen it called, faction). Apart from enabling the author to tweak reality, to make a good story even better, it can also enable her to tell tales out of school without inviting legal redress.

 

[mynameisben]

Right now I am finishing up a book based on my blog. My question is, what should it be marketed as, a memoir or novel. It is based on my life, but its set up like a novel...

What do you think??

If there are lots o people clamoring to know the details of your life, make it a memoir. If you want to reveal the details of your life to lots of people who would otherwise care less, make it a novel. Let your ego be your guide.

 

[sr71plt]

*Sigh* The bottomline question is whether or not you want to sell it. If you want to sell it and you're not Paris Hilton, the novel is the best route to go.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Most novels are based on real-life events.

Of course you can have a novel based on actual events. Did you ever hear of War and Peace? How about Gone with the Wind? They were both based on historic events. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote was a true story.

 

[sr71plt]

Of course you can have a novel based on actual events. Did you ever hear of War and Peace? How about Gone with the Wind? They were both based on historic events. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote was a true story.

You think you're arguing with me on this? Look again.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxlicker101
Of course you can have a novel based on actual events. Did you ever hear of War and Peace? How about Gone with the Wind? They were both based on historic events. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote was a true story.

You think you're arguing with me on this? Look again.

I'm not arguing with you at all. I meant to quote the post above yours.

 

[sr71plt]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxlicker101
Of course you can have a novel based on actual events. Did you ever hear of War and Peace? How about Gone with the Wind? They were both based on historic events. In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote was a true story.




I'm not arguing with you at all. I meant to quote the post above yours.

OK, that explains that. Been there, done that myself.