Level Up Your Writing Practice with Must Love Memoir

All the amazing ways you can get involved as a paid subscriber.

Jun 21, 2024

If there is one thing I know for sure, it’s that no matter where you are in your writing journey, there are others out there in the same place as you are right now—working through a creative block, finding submission opportunities, struggling with setting their own deadlines, trying to connect with writer friends, or getting thoughtful, unbiased feedback on their work.

Some writers have the isolation part of the writing process down and don’t need any external support or deadlines (cue my insane jealousy and respect for those writers). But for most of us, finding those people who just get it and are willing to hop on the same writing train as us can be transformational in our journey from writer to author.

Since I started Must Love Memoir, I have received several inquiries about ways people can get more involved in the series—especially for those outside of NYC. From writing groups to reading opportunities, this little monthly event seems to be begging to expand into more interactive ways to support writers, and I want to respond to that call.

Why only offer these things to paid subscribers?

It’s very simple really. One of the things I struggle most with is placing value on my time and energy. I am the queen of giving things away and am constantly living with the fallout of the people-pleaser gene that seems to be my entire personality. I have done my best to protect the time and energy I put into the reading series, but I still find myself over-extended to ensure I keep delivering on what is expected from this series and respond to what my followers want from it.

I couldn’t think of a better way to answer the call for more from Must Love Memoir than offering a number of interactive opportunities for paid subscribers to get involved. With your support, I can take this space for creative nonfiction writers and turn it into a thriving community.

The Breakdown

Monthly Subscription = $5

Your monthly membership not only helps support the work I already put into planning and hosting the monthly reading series, it also grants you access to members only virtual write-ins and first dibs on all in-person meetups and retreats.

For less than the cost of one small latte a month at a fancy coffee shop, you can receive all Must Love Memoir content as well as:

Virtual Write-Ins

Sometimes the hardest part about writing is just sitting in the damn chair and doing it, especially if there is no one else around to watch you pretend to write with your laptop open while you binge watch the newest season of Bridgerton. (I refuse to believe this is just me.)

There is no limit to the creative energy that flows when you bring a group of writers together in a single space, even if that space is virtual. There’s something magical about watching others create something beautiful that opens up new possibilities for ourselves. I have found that some of my most productive work is done when I am sitting side by side with my weekly writing group.

These silent write-ins will be offered once a week. What will happen during these Zoom meetings is very simple—we will sit and write together. The goal is to just make small progress on your work in progress (which will look different for each and every one of you. And I’ll provide an optional writing prompt for anyone who is just getting started or needs a break from their current project.

First dibs on in-person meetups and retreats.

The only thing better than a virtual writing community is regular, in-person meetups with like-minded creative thinkers. It’s been one of my dreams since the inception of Must Love Memoir to host more social meetups for nonfiction writers in NYC and with your support, I can finally make that happen.

Once a quarter I will offer an in-person meetup exclusively for those monthly subscribers based in and around New York City. This will be a great way to get to know our community better and also meet other creative nonfiction writers and readers.

Another, slightly bigger dream of mine is to host a full blown destination writing retreat. I’m thinking of a secluded place, close to nature—somewhere to immerse yourself in your writing and build strong relationships. Monthly paid subscribers will be the first to learn about upcoming retreats and get first dibs on reserving their space.

Annual subscription = $80

I am and will always be protective of this community. I have felt so much love and support for the reading series and am always so grateful to see familiar faces. Not just the people who show up when they’re a reader but who also show up as a listener—ready and willing to support other writers.

The thing about community, is it takes time to build. That can only be done by having supporters who stick around to get to know me and each other. That’s why I am offering these exclusive opportunities to annual subscribers.

Annual subscribers receive access to all Must Love Memoir content as well as:

Virtual Accountability Mini-Workshops

Some days the words just pour out of me. Those are good days, and they’re rare. More often than not, I have to force myself to sit my ass down at my desk and get something out. It took me a long time to figure out that it was normal to find writing hard sometimes. You can love a thing and it can still feel like work.

So much of writing is an act of faith, especially if you’re just getting started. To whittle away at a manuscript with no guarantee of publication can be a daunting task, and I’ve found that if you don’t put the effort into building a writing practice, it may never come.

Annual paid subscribers will be invited to join a monthly accountability mini-workshop at the end of each month. In the workshop, we’ll discuss ideas to help you think through your writing practice, provide resources, set goals for the upcoming month, and build a routine that will help you finish that essay, manuscript, blog post, etc.

Opportunities to submit your work for a Must Love Memoir reading

My reading series has always been by invitation only. While I get inquiries often about reading, I have never officially opened it up to submissions. Mostly because, as I have mentioned before, I am just one person, and reading through submissions was something I just couldn’t commit my time to.

Now as an annual paid subscriber, you will receive exclusive opportunities to submit your work for consideration to be a featured reader at an upcoming Must Love Memoir reading.

It’s also important to note that while I would love to say I can and will accept every submission I get, there is no way to know what that would look like in real life. But any submissions not able to be featured at a reading will be eligible for publication on No Books but Notebooks.

Submission opportunities will open for one week, four months out of the year (September, January, April, July). During that time, annual paid subscribers will receive a submission link to provide a 750 word excerpt of the piece they plan to read.

Founding subscription = $125

For me, founding members are those who truly believe in Must Love Memoir and all that it aims to do to support creative nonfiction writers. It is for those who are willing and able to offer their financial support to keep this going on a professional level. They are the true unsung heroes of creative work and are excited to see where all of this can lead.

As a way to say thank you for that support, I am offering an exclusive virtual salon each month for founding members. This will be the most interactive virtual event provided and everyone who wants to will get a chance to introduce themselves, have the space to speak about what they are working on, and solicit advice from fellow subscribers about everything from craft to submissions.

So let’s get started

Now that you know all of my big plans for this series, I can finally start delivering some of this content to you. I want to stress that rolling out all my planned content and events may be messy at first and there are bound to be some kinks. Please bear with me as I embark on this journey with you.

I do hope you’re excited to be a part of this community and that you’ll stick around through the inevitable hiccups to watch it thrive.

And no matter how you choose to get involved, I want to emphasize how truly grateful I am for your support. ♥️

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If you missed my post about how to get involved as a free subscriber, you can read all about it here.