Memoir Magazine

Submitting your work

Before submitting to the Memoir Prize for Books, read recent winners and finalists to understand the magazine's aesthetic: it favors narratives that trust the reader, avoid melodrama, and demonstrate a clear arc of reflection. Ensure your manuscript is complete and polished, as the prize considers only finished works. In your cover letter, articulate what your memoir contributes to the form—not just your story, but why it must be told now. Simultaneous submissions are typically accepted, but notify promptly if your work is placed elsewhere. Expect a reading period and response time that reflect careful attention; patience is part of the process.