Memoir Magic: Writing, Marketing & Selling Your Story with Jennifer Wilkov {ep. 181}
September 17, 2025
Memoirs can transform lives—but only if they’re written and marketed the right way. In this episode, Jennifer Wilkov of Your Book Is Your Hook shares her path from bestselling author to memoir consultant, why memoirs matter, how to make them marketable, and actionable strategies to share your story with impact.
In this episode, Alexa welcomes Jennifer Wilkov of Your Book Is Your Hook, Platinum Sponsor of the 2026 Women in Publishing Summit. Jennifer shares her journey from financial planner to bestselling author to industry consultant, and why memoirs are one of her favorite categories to work with. She talks candidly about what makes a memoir successful, why they must read like novels, and how to market them before, during, and after publication. Plus, she introduces her Memoir Marketing Clinic and Next Bestseller Workshop for authors ready to pitch at the highest levels.
In this podcast, Alexa and Jennifer discuss:
- Jennifer’s origin story: from financial planning to bestselling author to launching Your Book Is Your Hook
- Why memoirs resonate so deeply with readers—and how to write them so they sell
- The difference between memoirs and autobiographies
- Why memoirs must “read like a novel” to succeed in traditional publishing
- The importance of platform and marketability for memoir authors
- Common mistakes memoirists make (including diary-style writing)
- Tips on memoir marketing before, during, and after launch
- How memoirs can be leveraged into workshops, courses, speaking, screenplays, and more
- Legal and creative alternatives (like novelization or parables) for sensitive memoir material
- The Memoir Marketing Clinic and The Next Bestseller Workshop
Jennifer S. Wilkov is a multi-#1 international bestselling, award-winning author, award-winning freelance writer, and creative consultant. She is the founder of Your Book Is Your Hook, where she guides authors in writing, marketing, and publishing their work. Jennifer specializes in memoirs, helping authors create market-ready manuscripts and leverage their stories for speaking, media, and Hollywood opportunities. She is also the creator of the Memoir Marketing Clinic and The Next Bestseller Workshop, endorsed by Entrepreneur magazine.
Learn more: yourbookisyourhook.com
Additional Resources:
1) Believe: A Woman's Odyssey, From Tragic to Magic by Lisa Nicks-Balthasar => https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Womans-Odyssey-Tragic-Magic-ebook/dp/B08S6NYPV8
2) Making Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album by Ken Caillat => https://www.amazon.com/Making-Rumours-Inside-Classic-Fleetwood/dp/1118218086
2a) Information about the Copyright Infringement case re: Stereophonic => https://www.forbes.com/sites/legalentertainment/2024/10/14/stereophonic-sued-for-copying-fleetwood-mac-are-the-rumours-true/
3) The Next BestsellerTM Workshop => https://TheNextBestseller.com USE THE COUPON CODE WIP10 to save 10%
4) From the Heart to the Marketplace Clinic: Marketing for Writers Who Want to Reach More Readers with Authenticity => https://yourbookisyourhook.com/event/from-the-heart-to-the-marketplace/
Additional Resources:
1) Believe: A Woman's Odyssey, From Tragic to Magic by Lisa Nicks-Balthasar => https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Womans-Odyssey-Tragic-Magic-ebook/dp/B08S6NYPV8
2) Making Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album by Ken Caillat => https://www.amazon.com/Making-Rumours-Inside-Classic-Fleetwood/dp/1118218086
2a) Information about the Copyright Infringement case re: Stereophonic => https://www.forbes.com/sites/legalentertainment/2024/10/14/stereophonic-sued-for-copying-fleetwood-mac-are-the-rumours-true/
3) The Next BestsellerTM Workshop => https://TheNextBestseller.com USE THE COUPON CODE WIP10 to save 10%
4) From the Heart to the Marketplace Clinic: Marketing for Writers Who Want to Reach More Readers with Authenticity => https://yourbookisyourhook.com/event/from-the-heart-to-the-marketplace/