TODAY: literary agent Mackenzie Brady Watson
on selling memoir in today's market
Mackenzie Brady Watson is a literary agent and the person who taught me the term “memoir plus.”
As a former genetics lab technician, Mackenzie has a great passion for science books, especially if they are historically driven or revolutionize current theory, as well as sociology, investigative journalism, food writing, memoir, and business books.
Notable clients include Roxana Asgarian (We Were Once a Family), Margot Lee Shetterly (Hidden Figures), Olivia Gatwood (Life of the Party and Whoever You Are Honey), Rose Hackman (Emotional Labor), and Sarah Vogel (The Farmer’s Lawyer).
Join me today at 1pm EST, when I’ll be asking Mackenzie:
Why does everyone say that “memoir is tougher to sell than ever before”? (And why have they been saying it for 10 years?)
What is memoir plus?
How does adding a “plus” to your memoir make it more marketable?
One of the challenges of writing memoir plus is weaving together the personal with the historical, or the researched. What advice do you have for writers on structuring books that combine so many elements?
Many writers are overwhelmed by the thought of writing a non-fiction book and building a platform. What are agents looking for when they’re scouting new clients?
How perfect should a manuscript be before an author queries, and what level of editorial feedback can they expect from an agent, before going out on submission?
I will interview Mackenzie for about 30 minutes and then open it up to your questions! If you can’t join us live, but you’d like to ask a question, leave a comment on this post and I will do my best to get your question in the queue.
If you can’t attend live, there will be a recording available to watch for 7 days.