From the Archive: Meet Jenny Lord. She was my editor on Sins of My Father, and is Executive Publisher at W&N, Orion. She has a lot of interesting things to say about memoir and nonfiction
As a writer with a memoir coming out in the UK in 2025, I really appreciated this interview. I recognize some of the insights into the memoir market from the conversations around my acquisition, which were so opaque to me, a querying newbie, at the time.
I especially love this: “The version of the story you’re telling in your memoir is not the real story in that it’s not following every contour of the lived experience, and it never should; you should always hold something back for yourself, your family and your memory.”
Loved reading this not just for the insight but all your interviews are fantastic, Lily. You really have a knack for asking the best questions and part of that is how you also attentively listen to your interviewee. It's crucial to the natural flow of good interviewing. Thanks to you both for sharing these insights.
Such a helpful interview. Thus really pits into words some of the things I am grappling with in my memoir writing on Sunstack. Particularly how my writing is relevant to the reader.
That's really interesting and helpful; Jenny responds to your questions as though she's the first person to read a proposal, but I presume she actually sources new manuscripts via agents? So that's still the person a prospective author has to hook first?
As a writer with a memoir coming out in the UK in 2025, I really appreciated this interview. I recognize some of the insights into the memoir market from the conversations around my acquisition, which were so opaque to me, a querying newbie, at the time.
I especially love this: “The version of the story you’re telling in your memoir is not the real story in that it’s not following every contour of the lived experience, and it never should; you should always hold something back for yourself, your family and your memory.”
Yea agreed. I love that line too
Loved reading this not just for the insight but all your interviews are fantastic, Lily. You really have a knack for asking the best questions and part of that is how you also attentively listen to your interviewee. It's crucial to the natural flow of good interviewing. Thanks to you both for sharing these insights.
That’s such a generous comment Nancy, thank you. I do enjoy interviewing
Such a helpful interview. Thus really pits into words some of the things I am grappling with in my memoir writing on Sunstack. Particularly how my writing is relevant to the reader.
This is really clear and helpful advice, thanks very much for sharing
That’s really enlightening, reading the thought process that an editor goes through
Excellent article--full of great advice.
So useful - thank you 🙏
Interesting interview, Lily. It makes me wonder if the memoir market in the UK is similar or very different to that in the USA. Do you know?
That's really interesting and helpful; Jenny responds to your questions as though she's the first person to read a proposal, but I presume she actually sources new manuscripts via agents? So that's still the person a prospective author has to hook first?
One a year 🧐
Loved that last question, you saved the best for last! Will keep those 4 qualities in mind as I revise my memoir
What a brilliant interview, every word to the point and constructive. Really helpful. Thanks Lily and Jenny.
Interesting insights, thank you 😀🙏