My Real Memoir

In truth, it's a writing contest.

And it's free.

And this contest is now closed!

Results will be announced by September 4 ...

In light of all those fake memoirs making headlines, Barncat Publishing is offering real unpublished memoirists a chance to win great publicity and prizes!

Entrants have sent us a polished draft of the first page of their memoirs. Entries were not to exceed 500 words … but entrants did not have to add the title to the word count, because we’re like that.

The Judge: Book doctor and media consultant Jami Bernard has published nine books, including the memoirs The Incredible Shrinking Critic (Avery/Penguin) and Breast Cancer: There & Back (Warner Books). She has written extensively for newspapers and magazines and has been a judge on numerous arts panels. She is the founder of Barncat Publishing Inc., which is dedicated to helping writers find their own true voice.

The Prize(s): The writer with the best entry will receive professional feedback, a copy of Barncat Publishing’s latest book, Overcoming Writer’s Block, plus 33% off one of Jami’s online workshops. The winning entry will be featured on Barncat Publishing’s website.

That’s not all. The entry with the most room for improvement will receive private feedback and a discount on a workshop. No author left behind, as we always say.

How to submit:

Ack! You're too late! The deadline for this contest was July 31 ...

The Fine Print:

1. Send an original piece of writing.

2. One entry per person.

3. Open to U.S. residents only.

4. By applying, you agree to have your name (or pen name) and entry posted should you win.

There is no entry fee! Nor do you need to be enrolled in a workshop to be eligible. Check back with Barncat for contest updates. Winners will be announced by September 4.

No entry fee | Void where prohibited

MEMOIR CONTEST FAQ

Q: What do you mean by a “polished” first page?

A: Run a search on your computer for anything that ends in “check”: WordCheck, GrammarCheck, PassiveVoiceCheck, Homonym FauxPasCheck, LieDetectorCheck. Give your entry a scrubbing. Don't forget behind the ears.

Q: What do you mean by a page? The old rule was that one page=250 typed, double-spaced words.

A:“Send us your first page” is more mellifluous than “Run it through Word Count and send us the first 500 words that peel off.” If you exceed 500 words our judges get testy and start to gnaw their way out of their chains.

Q: I thought you said there was only one judge?

A: Do you want to win fabulous prizes or do you want to annoy the barncats?

Q: I’ve never actually hung with the Crips—I have this thing about crowds and germs—but I really feel they're my peeps. Can I submit a page from my memoir “Kickin’ It In My Dreams”?

A: No.

Q: What's this about a second prize-winner, one who has " room for improvement”? Don’t you mean “the loser”?

A: We at Barncat do not discriminate against those who are still traveling the highway of learning, even if they take the wrong exit and loop endlessly without GPS. Or let’s say they’re on a gravel path with a gradient where they have to…

Q: So it’s the loser then, right? The one who gets the other prize?

A: I'm afraid so. But it’s a serious prize, a good prize.

Q: How can I find out if I won (or lost)? Will Ed McMahon be coming?

A: Check back for updates at www.barncatpublishing.com. Results will be announced by September 4.