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 sessions of this course, we’ll discuss braided narratives that incorporate external artifacts like film, art, psychology, and more to reflect the emotional core of a personal narrative, using 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. Each week will include one core example text and a class visit/discussion with the author of that text, plus 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 Melissa Febos, Esmé Weijun Wang, Jeannie Vanasco, & Tyrese L. Coleman. First 15 sign-ups will receive a free copy of Melissa Febos’ Body Work.

This course will take place on Zoom on Saturdays in August from 1-3 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 general@offassignment.com with any questions.

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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. Masters’ Series courses also include an additional virtual gathering in which students can mingle with fellow students and meet OA editors.