What's the difference between memoir, biography, and autobiography?

Are you writing your life story and trying to figure out if you're writing a memoir, writing a biography, or an autobiography? What is the difference between these three types of non-fiction books that you might be writing. In this video, author and founder of Book Launchers, Julie Broad breaks down what makes a book a memoir vs an auto-biography and what makes a biography different than both of those.

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[maizembwende]

Thank you! Always wanted to know the difference. Going to have my family write their memoirs starting now so we don’t have to make stuff up when it comes time to write their obituaries.

[beelinebill]

Thanks for the education! I never did understand the distinct differences, but you cleared that subject up!

[jeanshelbybooks]

This doesn’t have to do with this video, but I appreciated your last video where you said your mom doesn’t ready your books. I’m dealing with that now and I remembered your words. 😀 I appreciate your context.

[thehomiezach]

Thanks alot. This helped a ton. I'm working on my own documentary about myself and I'm trying to figure out the specific thing to call it. It will be out soon and I'm looking forward to it. Keep up the great work

[veronicapryor-faciane]

Grand Rising Queen Julie!!! Happy Tuesday 💞

[StevenSeril]

Aww, Julie! I just read a book about a blue crow that had blue butterflies and blue flowers in it. It reminds me of your outfit!

Anyway, this is a great overview of the differences between these like-seeming genres. We get a lot of all three at the Outstanding Creator Awards. In fact, they tend to be our favorites! The winning book for winter was a biography about Abigail Adams (the wife of John Adams) and the #1 book of spring was a memoir about Hank Brodt, a Holocaust survivor. There's something spectacular about being placed in a different moment in time in shoes that are so foreign and yet so familiar.

[TheShaunHayes]

Thank you for explaining the difference between these types of books. I now have a better understanding. Great video!

[ScullyPop]

This is a great explanation, which I had overlooked.

[poetryfromtheheart]

Great explanation, now I better understand the difference between a memoir and an autobiography.

[ArtistAllanWest]

It's all about the arc.

That sentence alone is pure memoir gold.

[BennieBullock]

My book sounds like a combination autobiography and memoir. I told the story chronologically and then I went through the lessons I learned along the way.

[maureenp]

Hi! Quick question: I watched your video "5 surprising facts about Amazon for authors" the other day and saw your example Amazon list called "Book Launchers Books." Is that list open to the public to see? If so, I'd love a link to it! I haven't been able to find it by searching. Also, thanks for the good info as always!

[mikecook_author]

How about a semi-autobiography? Is that a thing?

[AveryLeblanc-oj]

Hello from McMath Middle School, Mr. LeBlanc's class!

[roamn]

my friend cameron said that this video helped him.

[SelfPubWithAndy]

Honestly, I always get confused with these 3 terms! Memories 😎