Newsletter
Book Club Insights, Author Q&A, and Cover Reveal!
Hello Lovelies! I hope you're enjoying autumn as much as I am. I love seeing, as a friend put it recently: "the colors that belong in the sky appearing in the leaves of the trees." Last week, we had a wonderful Author Q&A with Qin Sun Stubis as well as a great...
Book Club Next Week, Author Q&A + Anthology & Community Ideas 10/02/2025
Hi everyone, It's been a minute since my last newsletter, but it’s not because nothing is happening, it’s because so much is! I’ve taken a little break from my memoir to focus on other writing activities like posting more regularly over on Substack. Speaking of...
Don’t forget! Book Club today! Author Q&A next Thursday.
Hi everyone, Just a quick note with a few exciting things on the horizon! Book Club is Today – Junkyard Girl I'm looking forward to seeing you today for our book club discussion of Junkyard Girl by Carlyn Montes De Oca. Whether you’ve finished the book, are halfway...
Book Club Next Week, Author Q&A + Anthology & Community Ideas
Hi everyone, Though I have hit the summer slump in writing, where I can’t seem to find the time to work on my memoir, I have sure been thinking about it a lot. Ideas are flowing, now if I can just get them to the page! I’ve also been thinking about how grateful I am...
Special Events in May and June
Hi everyone, I know I just emailed yesterday with an anthology update, and I hope it doesn’t feel like I’m flooding your inbox. I just wanted to make sure you’re in the loop about our upcoming meetings, especially since a few are coming up soon and one is already...
Social Media for Authors
Social Media for Authors Share and Support There’s been a lot of conversation lately in our group about how memoirists can (or should) use social media, so I've scheduled an event on Thursday, May 1. The intent of this session is to share what we know, brainstorm...
Your Voice Belongs in Our Anthology!
Your Voice Belongs in our Anthology!Our anniversary anthology is shaping up to be something really special! If you haven’t submitted yet, now’s the time—the deadline is March 31, and I’d love for everyone who wants to be included to have a spot in the book. A...
More Memoir, More Meaning, More Ways to Grow
Hey everyone, Winter may still have its grip on us, but the longer days and occasional bursts of sunshine make it a great time to cozy up with a good book. If you didn’t get around to reading Paula Balzer’s Writing and Selling Your Memoir, this is the perfect chance...
Call for Submissions – Five Years of Memoir Mentors
Looking for stories for our first anthology! The theme is “The Day that Changed Everything”
Accountability & Goal-Setting Session: Reflect, Celebrate, and Plan for 2025
Starting Strong: Reflections, Goals, and an Exciting New Year AheadDearest Memorists, As we close 2024 and look ahead to 2025, I’ve been thinking about my writing journey and the incredible progress I’ve seen in this community. Like many of you, I start each year...
Book Club + Anthology Update + 2026 Goal-setting
Hi Everyone,
Just popping into your inbox with a few updates and things to look forward to as the year winds down (and yes, we’re already talking about 2026 😮).
New Book Club Pick: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Our next book club read is David Sedaris’s hilarious and sharp memoir, Me Talk Pretty One Day. If you’ve been craving a lighter, laugh-out-loud kind of book with a biting voice and brilliant observation, this is a perfect pick. Discussion date December 18—so grab your copy and start reading! (More below.)
Anthology Update + Sign Up for News
The Memoir Mentors anthology is still moving forward—just a bit behind schedule thanks to life (and publishing!) being what it is. I’m wrapping up the final design and pulling together a plan to launch in time for holiday gifting.
This book will also be the first official title from my new imprint, Brightspring Books, which I’m excited to build into a home for more community projects and memoir magic.
Want updates on the launch?
https://memoirmentors.com/anthology/
🎯 Save the Date: 2026 Goal Planning + Accountability Session
Sunday, December 28
Our annual Goal Planning & Accountability Session is happening December 28—mark your calendar now! This is one of our most motivating and energizing sessions of the year. We’ll reflect, reset, and set some bold intentions for 2026. More details to come, but this one’s always a crowd favorite.
Thanks for being part of this community!
Warmly,
Christina
Book Club Pick: Me Talk Pretty One Day
This time, we’ll be discussing the award winning: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.
Book club questions can be found here (When I get around to posting them): https://memoirmentors.com/book-club-questions/
Me Talk Pretty One Day is a collection of humorous essays by David Sedaris, detailing his experiences growing up in a large family and his later move to Paris with his partner, Hugh. The book is known for its sharp observations and absurdity, particularly focusing on Sedaris’s struggles to learn French from a harsh teacher and his humorous observations on identity and national stereotypes. The essays provide a window into his consciousness and explore themes like family, love, and his own insecurities.
2026 Goal Planning and Accountability
In this year-end workshop, we’ll use guided journaling prompts to uncover what motivates your writing, and what’s been getting in the way. From there, we’ll turn those insights into clear, realistic goals and milestones using the Pen Your Masterpiece Accountability Hub.
This session will walk you through how to set realistic, motivating writing goals for early 2026 and introduce you to the Pen Your Masterpiece Accountability Hub: a system that helps you stay consistent, track progress, and get gentle reminders when life inevitably gets in the way.
You’ll get a sense of how the Hub works, meet some of the writers who use it, and leave with a clear plan (and a spark of excitement) for the new year.
Plus! You’ll leave with a free planning tool pre-populated with your goals.
Upcoming Events
Ideas? Questions? Suggestions?
Reply to this email and let me know or reach out directly at: xtina.howell@memoirmentors.com