So you want to publish a memoir

 

 

 

 Determined to write a memoir? Not only that, are you determined to publish your memoir? Maybe even traditionally?

That was me over 10 years ago. And I'm proud to say I succeeded in publishing traditionally, not once, but twice...but trust me, it wasn't easy, and it wasn't a short road. I learned the hard way...trial and error, and many, many agent and publisher rejections. I'd like to save you from that anguish...although I'll tell you, learning the hard way made me a much better writer. Anyway...

I came across this article and it was spot on. While the article addresses "what's new in 2026," that's not quite true. I read almost all of the points made here 10 years ago.

Tough to hear? I thought it was. But I also wanted to make my story the very best it could possibly be. If that's your goal as well, I suggest you take the suggestions posed here to heart. 

The State of Publishing Memoir in 2026 

 

"SUMMERS OF FIRE" the poem, by Stephen Chaffee

 

My quarters at Florida (Flor-ee-da) Ranger Station, 1976

 

I met Steve Chaffee about 14 years ago, when we were both attending a local writers group. With my background as a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service, and him being a retired National Park Ranger, we found we had much in common. Even more so when we discovered we both loved to hike the Santa Rita Mountains of Southern Arizona, where my Forest Service career began.

Fast forward 10 years. Steve knew I painted in watercolors (and had, in fact, purchased one of my paintings about 12 years ago). After his first poetry book published, he wanted to write one specifically about the Santa Rita Mountains, and asked me if I would be interested in providing illustrations for some of the poems, and maybe even the book cover, possibly using the painting he'd purchased from me. Of course I said yes!

After 4 years and 17 paintings later, Steve's book: Wild Ruminations: Poems Inspired by the Santa Rita Mountains (Wheatmark. February 3, 2026) released into the world. I'm so honored to have been asked to contribute to this book! I'm also quite touched that my Forest Service career inspired one of Steve's poems. I'd like to share that poem here:

            Summers of Fire                                                  

 

with sunrise

cold, heavy air descends

steep Florida* Canyon slopes

cascading around and through

mammoth Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine,

Arizona walnut

then over oaks, mesquite, juniper

and an historic work station

built years ago

by Depression-era young men

yearning for a better life

 

            Florida Ranger Station

Forest Service firefighters

train long and hard

for summers of fire

build firelines

bust knuckles

swing Pulaskis

haul packs and gear

chase spot fires

work to exhaustion

tongues like shoe leather

back and shoulders taut as

a charged fire hose

perseverance and grit prevail

over burnt landscapes

 

after a shower and supper

guys and gals meet at a cabin

for cards, music, laughter,

good ribbings, and beer

and perhaps, companionship too

 

            if these walls could talk

what intimacies

what secrets of the heart

what hurt, pride, and loss

would reveal

a fire crew’s

summers of fire

 

 

flor-ee-da*

 

Dedicated to the fire crews of ‘76 ‘77 ‘78

 

 

 

"Tell Me What It's Like" podcast with Stacy Raine

 Come listen!

 

I joined Stacy Raine on Tell Me What It’s Like to talk about what it was really like to be among the first women on a US Forest Service fire crew in the 1970s. We discussed:
- What a fire crew did beyond fighting fires 
- How I reacted to the discrimination I faced
- Why I loved the job despite the hardships 

Here's the link: Tell Me What It's Like 

The underlying story of Summers of Fire

 

I'm often asked: Why did you want to be a firefighter? What was your goal?

This excerpt from Chapter 19 of my memoir is a glimpse into how taking on a firefighter job went from 'wanting to do something different' to a formal career choice. 

If you've not read my book, I hope this passage is intriguing enough to give it a try!

(I've just returned to Florida (Flor-ee-da) Ranger Station after spending two weeks on a 55,000 acre fire.)

Like a loyal friend, Florida Station had waited for my return. Tomorrow would be my last day here. I reported to work in the morning, turning in my gear, key, and driver’s license. Glenn allowed me to clean up my quarters and pack on government time.

On departure day, I simultaneously wanted to go home and not go home. I missed my mom so much my heart ached; but I sensed that Florida wanted me to stay. Joe did, too.

After stashing the last box into my car Skyer, I turned toward the government truck pulling in behind me. Glenn. My breath hitched. Get a grip. I cared for him more than I knew was right. He stood before me, his thumbs hooked through the belt loops of his Levi’s, his cowboy boots shuffling in the dirt. He gazed at me from under the brim of his ever-present Stetson. That always got to me.

In his slow and deep voice, he said, “I want you to know that I think you did a real good job in Northern California on a tough assignment.”

My heart somersaulted. From a man who said little, that simple sentence touched deep into my soul. He was proud of me. Not sure what to say or do, all I managed was, “Thanks.” But I also stood there waiting for him to give me some kind of sign…that what happened in that motel meant more to him than just sex. It was not there. I desperately wanted to hug him, but feared he would not hug me back, or worse, back off. Driving away I checked my rearview mirror to see if he watched me leave. He did.

In Prescott, I rushed to enroll in forestry-related classes at Yavapai College, which I hoped would advance my new career. Despite the aching in my legs from hiking up and down all of those hills on the Klamath, I had a lightness in my step. There were so many challenges last summer: brutal long hours, backbreaking work, intense heat, danger, smoke inhalation, bad food, and no sleep for days on end. Why did I put up with it? Because this job made me feel important; it gave me a purpose in life. Plus, if I could handle those grueling conditions, I could do anything; and what I wanted more than anything was a permanent Forest Service position.

 

My interview on eReads Podcast with Liz Bullard

 

 

Liz and I talk about my memoir writing journey. I hope you'll come listen! 

FINDING MEANING IN MEMOIRS: LINDA STRADER'S INSIGHTFUL JOURNEY

Podcast interview with Marci Nettles: You're (Blank), What Next?

 

Join me with Marci Nettles as we talked about how I am faced with a worst case scenario, and find a way to move forward.

 

You're Facing A Worst-Case Scenario...What Next?

Working in Alaska by Becky Shufelt

 

This is me and my tanker crew, Kenai, AK, 1980

My guest today is Becky Shufelt, who hosts a podcast called "Life in the Wildlands." Becky's goal is to encourage and support those interested in working in the great outdoors.

This episode I thought was particularly interesting, having had worked in Alaska back in 1980. 

What is it Like to Work in Alaska?

Tragic loss of a former crewmate

 I just learned today that my former Alaska crewmate, Karan, was killed in 1996 by a drunk driver on her way home from work. 

Karan and I worked together the summer of 1980 at Wildwood Station in Kenai, Alaska. While we weren't close, we were friends, and I liked Karan. She had a good sense of humor, and we had fun working together.

 

At the time of her death, Karan and her husband had 2 children, ages 8 and 11. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for her kids and her husband to lose her when she was only 41 years old.

 Here's a photo of Karan and me, sitting alongside Skilak Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New release! My essay on resilience

 

 

 

 "The Resilience I Didn't Know I Have"

 

JUST RELEASED!

Storyteller's True Stories of Triumph

Published by Chicago Story Press 

November 27th, 2023

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!