Narratively

12/09/2024

Executive editor Jesse Sposato here, hi! Today’s post on how to self-edit like a pro is one of my favorite recent pieces on craft. It’s chock full of inspiring tips on how to take an objective look at something you’ve written and commit to improving it. It dares you to be ruthless with your own words, which can be difficult, but it also holds your hand through the process. I actually used some of this advice while working on my own writing yesterday, and I’m positive my essay-in-progress is better for it — I was very appreciative to have it!

So, if you’re a writer and you’re looking to take your work to the next level, I highly recommend checking out this post by veteran writer and editor extraordinaire, Jerry Portwood.

Head to our bio for the link.

12/05/2024

This year’s Memoir Prize entries will be judged by none other than New York Times bestselling author Jami Attenberg. Our executive editor, Jesse Sposato, sat down with Jami to talk about all things writing: how she stays focused, the hard parts of memoir, her next nonfiction project and so much more. Don’t miss the inside scoop!

Head to the link in our bio to check it out.

&A

12/02/2024

After mourning the loss of the baby she gave up for adoption when she was 16, Meredith Hall sets out on an almost year-long reckless journey, losing herself more and more along the way — until she finally finds something resembling what she was looking for. This essay — which Hall later expanded into a New York Times bestselling book — has serious staying power.

Words by: Meredith Hall

Check it out at the link in our bio.

11/25/2024

Our 2024 is in full swing, and we’re thrilled by the stories pouring in. As we count down to the deadline, we’re looking back at last year’s incredible winners. This week we revisit the moving essay by Wylene Branton Wood — one of the two finalists — “The Paradox of a Fair-Skinned Black Girl in the Segregated South.” Growing up in the segregated South, Wylene had gotten used to the racism she faced from the outside — but the pain that caught her off guard and hurt the most came from within her own community.

Head to the link in our bio to read Wylene’s story and to get more info on how you can submit your own story for the 2024 Memoir Prize.

Words by: Wylene Branton Wood
Illustration by: Molly Magnell

11/13/2024

Getting down to the wire over here with this we're hosting over at Reedsy. Read on for more info…

⏰ The deadline is: this Friday, November 15 at 11:59 PM EST
🔗 to join: https://shorturl.at/jPXGz
The theme? Unlikely Encounters 🎲

Take a chance on this week’s contest for a shot at $250! Ready, set, write!

10/31/2024

Wishing you a spooky-tacular Halloween!🎃 As we bring October to a close, we want to revisit some of our favorite stories that we published this month. We’ve got UFO hoaxes, survivors of Hiroshima and tricks and tips to increase writing productivity. We also want to highlight that the 2024 Narratively Memoir Prize is open for submissions, and we couldn’t be more excited.

So, if you find some free time in between tricks and treats, check out those pieces and learn more about how to submit to our Memoir Prize. Links in bio.

Writers:
Cameron Walker
Erika Hayasaki
Paul Brown

Illustrations:
Julie Benbassat

10/28/2024

It’s that time of year again! Submissions for the Narratively 2024 Memoir Prize are officially open starting today, October 28, 2024, through Thursday, December 19, 2024. This year's Memoir Prize will be judged by the New York Times bestselling author, Jami Attenberg. Enter to win $3,000 and publication in Narratively.

If you have an interesting story you would like to share with us, click below to get more information, and/or to submit your story.

Submissions for our third annual Memoir Prize are open now. Read on for all the details—from the $3,000 cash prize to our bestselling memoirist guest judge.

08/29/2024

Nick Courmon is sharing forgotten Black history in a very modern way.

08/15/2024

Our Fall 2024 Narratively Academy classes are now live! Want to learn how to finish your memoir, write a book proposal or successfully apply for writing grants? We've got all that and much more—plus a free class!

Want to learn how to finish your memoir, write a book proposal, and successfully apply for writing grants? We've got all that—plus a free class!—on tap this autumn at Narratively Academy.

08/07/2024

Have you ever heard someone mention a hermit crab essay but didn't know what it was? Now's your chance to find out courtesy of and Creative Nonfiction. In this piece, Suzanne breaks down three nature-inspired essays in which writers employ it.

In this craft piece, journalist Suzanne Cope explains this writing technique, and breaks down three essays in which writers employ it, each with nature at the center in some way.

07/31/2024

So many good stories all in one place, from an essay about a dreaded haircut to an interview with two writers about the secret pros of being in a literary couple to a craft piece on the rules around nonfiction. Check it all out below.

From an essay about a dreaded haircut to an interview with two writers about the pros of being in a literary couple to a craft piece on the rules around nonfiction, these stories are not to be missed.

07/17/2024

If you’re a writer — or a reader — you probably ponder this question a lot. We certainly do! For this piece, spoke to four amazing nonfiction writers — , , and — about where they draw the line when it comes to things like recreating dialogue and composite characters, how to fact-check your own work, whether you need to, when mistakes were made and more. Head to our link in bio for some of the best advice on this topic (truly) and for some excellent book recommendations, both by these authors and from some of them.

07/02/2024

Want to learn how to master personal essays about family and improve your stories in a thoughtful, supportive environment? This class starts Monday, July 8 and there are just a few seats left.

Sign up: https://www.narratively.com/p/last-chance-to-join-our-summer-writing-workshop

06/21/2024

Next week! Learn how to create a full fact-checking plan for your nonfiction book with longtime National Geographic fact-checker Brad Scriber.

Nonfiction authors face an extremely unfair challenge. Even the most carefully drafted book-length manuscripts are bound to have some errors, and while a thorough review for factual accuracy is standard practice for many magazines, most book publishers don’t pay for fact-checking

06/20/2024

For all you writer nerds who like to really get in there and obsess about writing (ahem), this one by journalist Jason Nark, about discovering Pete Dexter through his love of Norman Maclean, is for you: "A Writer Obsessed With a Writer Obsessed With a Writer" Part of our series with Creative Nonfiction

While looking for guidance from his literary hero, Norman Maclean, Jason Nark discovered Pete Dexter—whom he found just as intriguing. He tracked Dexter down to talk about the writer they both loved.

06/18/2024

Authors! Learn how to stop being afraid of fact-checking. The first step is shifting your mindset from defending against mistakes to celebrating your work.

Checking your facts means second-guessing everything you thought you knew. The first step is shifting your mindset from defending against mistakes to celebrating your work.

06/12/2024

There's nothing more challenging than putting our love (and, well... other emotions) for family members into words. Here's what to keep in mind when writing the most delicate kind of memoir.

06/07/2024

Last day to get 15% off any of our upcoming summer writing classes!

If you've been working on a big reported story, a personal essay about your family or a nonfiction book, join us this summer and get that project over the finish line.