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You’ve completed the first draft of your memoir and now you’re wondering what’s next. Should you dive back into the pages you’ve crafted, write a book proposal, strengthen your outline—or something else?

The most efficient next step is to pull back and gain a bird’s-eye view of your book by exploring the question it’s trying to answer.

Every strong memoir is anchored by a central question that shapes the story, clarifies its purpose, and signals to readers why your experience matters. Identifying your memoir’s essential question can help you decide what belongs (and what doesn’t) so you can create a story that transcends your personal experience and speaks to something universal. Mastering this powerful revision tool can strengthen your ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and confidently with agents, editors, and readers. It can also help you create a stronger, more focused proposal that demonstrates why your book is needed and how it serves your readers.

During this 90-minute class, you’ll:

• Learn what an essential question is and how it can drive your memoir forward
• Find out how the right question can help your book stand out in a crowded marketplace
• Study examples of published memoirs driven by powerful essential questions
• Discover how to use your question to revise your draft
• Explore an accessible, repeatable process for uncovering your book’s essential question
• Practice this process in real time with live-workshopped participant submissions  
• Gain strategies for conducting audience research for your book

This class is part of a year-long series

Anyone may attend this class without registering for the entire series; students will gain all benefits described for this specific session. However, only series participants can submit work for potential feedback or critique during the class. For a more intensive experience, consider registering for the entire series in 2026.

Learn more about the 2026 series on revising your memoir

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Who this class is for

• Memoirists who’ve completed a first draft and are wondering what’s next
• Memoirists in the “messy middle” who are working to revise their books
• Memoirists who’ve received feedback that their story is too raw, incomplete, or includes a series of disjointed events
• Memoirists who’ve received agent or editor rejections and sense their story needs more work
• Memoirists struggling to identify their story’s narrative arc or how to execute it
• Writers working on a memoir-in-essays or essay collection
• Memoirists working on their book proposal

This class is not suited for:

• Writers of (non-memoir) narrative nonfiction
• Short story writers or novelists
• Children’s picture book writers
• Poets

How do I attend the live class?

This class uses Zoom webinar technology. You will join through your Internet-connected computer or mobile device. When you register, you will receive information via email on how to join the class. If you don’t receive it within 1 hour of registering, please contact us.

• When: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
• Time: 1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Pacific Time
• Fee: $25 through Feb. 22, 2026 / $35 if you register after Feb. 22, 2026

The webinar is broadcasted via the internet with live audio delivered through your computer or mobile device speakers. The visual presentation is displayed directly from the presenter’s computer to your computer screen. The Q&A is managed through a chat-style submission system with questions read and answered by the presenter for the entire class to hear.

Closed captions are provided during the live class. We use Zoom’s automated closed caption service (powered by Otter), which is about 80%+ accurate.

Refund policy

If you attend the live class and/or watch the recording, and it does not meet your expectations, contact us for a full refund, no questions asked.

Testimonials

All students receive the following

• Access to the live class (90 minutes). The instructor will take questions during class using in-class chat/text. The class will end after roughly 90 minutes.
• A recording of the class—audio and video. This is especially helpful if you have a conflict with the class time or something comes up and you can’t make the session. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for 30 days. You do not have to attend the live event to access the recordings.
• Presentation slides. All participants receive a copy of the slide presentations in PDF form.
• Rough transcript. We offer a lightly edited transcript of each webinar, which we’ll share with you in addition to the audio and video recording.

Event Attendance & Anti-Harassment Policy

We strive to provide an environment where all present—whether attendee, presenter, or staff—can feel supported. In order to ensure a welcoming event, here is what we expect from all who participate.

• That the presenter and the presenter’s work be treated with respect by attendees and that all attendees treat each other with respect and a generosity of spirit.
• That attendees will refrain from harassment of any sort including (but not limited to) comments or questions of a racist, homophobic, sexist/sexual, or threatening nature. This includes actions that disrupt or interfere with anyone’s ability to participate. Offenders will be disconnected from the live event.