Reported memoir, science memoir, critical memoir, true crime memoir: Some of the most compelling personal narratives go beyond the author’s own experience, blurring the lines between memoir and other forms of nonfiction (or even other genres altogether) to tell a larger, deeper, more complicated story. Hybrid memoir (sometimes referred to in the publishing industry as “memoir plus”) is memoir that goes beyond personal narrative to incorporate research, reportage, cultural criticism, history, fictional elements, poetry, visual art, or anything else that pushes the limits of the genre.

Over the four weeks of this course, we’ll discuss braided narratives that incorporate external elements like pop culture, history, mythology, and more to reflect the emotional core of a personal narrative; memoir that uses personal experience to illustrate and humanize important cultural/social issues; investigative memoir; and projects that push the boundaries of memoir all the way into other genres using forms like found-text collage and image-based storytelling. Each week will include one core example text (and a class visit from the author of that text!), a suggested further reading list, and a writing assignment.  

This is a generative/discussion-based class, so there is no workshop component, but there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and talk through challenges in what you’re working on. This class is best suited for writers who have some experience writing personal narratives and are looking to expand the tools at their disposal, and/or writers who are in the midst of a project that seems to want to break the mold of the straightforward narrative memoir. The course will be led by Lilly Dancyger, and will feature guest appearances by Nicole Chung, Elissa Washuta, Jeanna Kadlec, and Chelsea Biondolillo.

*

This course will take place on Zoom on Saturdays August 3-24 from 1 to 3 p.m. EST. Participants will receive a Zoom link prior to the course as well as a recording of the course afterwards. We cannot offer refunds once the course has begun. Please email courses@offassignment.com with any questions.

A limited number of scholarships may be available for this course; please send a brief statement outlining how and why a scholarship would impact your ability to attend to courses@offassignment.com by July 8 and we’ll get back to you by July 15.

*

Off Assignment’s Masters’ Series courses are unique four-session courses on in-depth writing topics that harness the perspectives and craft tactics of a lead instructor plus celebrated guest lecturers, such that participating writers gain a wealth of input while benefiting from the cohesive leadership of one renowned writer in a particular niche of nonfiction.