Reach out on LinkedIn
I’m increasingly fond of LinkedIn, finding it a rich resource of folk I needed to meet. Margaret Ghielmetti is one of them. She reached out to me on LinkedIn with a connection request a few weeks ago. Now, just in case you wanted to connect with me, I never agree to connect with a complete stranger unless they send me a private note with their request. Why would I want someone in my network who I didn’t know at all? What use can I be to them and what use can they be to me? It’s pointless. So, when Margaret reached out we ended up in conversation via the LinkedIn message tool during which she told me she was a) an expat, albeit a repatriated one and b) the author of a new memoir called Brave(ish) a memoir of a recovering perfectionist. Of course, I wanted to read her book and so I asked for a review copy, telling her that I would post a review on our www.expatbookshop.com website if I liked it. She agreed. Of course she did. New authors need to hand out review copies if they want more people to find out about their books. These days it’s easier than ever because we can send a PDF or Kindle version without it costing us anything.
Anyway, I received the book and after a few weeks it reached the top of my reading pile. I teach people to write memoir and often work with authors of memoir on their manuscripts. I read other memoirs to keep myself sharp. I also like to meet people who, later, if I like them, I can introduce to you via my Monthly Inspirer.
I enjoyed the book not only because I could relate to its theme of living abroad in multiple countries but also because I could see how Margaret had worked hard to find the themes and story arc I knew were needed for a memoir to work. She made herself vulnerable and was wholly authentic, which I liked. Margaret was inspiring too, because by sharing her story she could help similarly perfectionist readers to shed their people-pleasing chains too.
Successful memoir should resonate with the reader and though many readers may not have the good fortune to be married to someone who works for the luxury Four Seasons hotel chain, many will be familiar with parts of her story. This is why it works.
A good piece of writing should either inspire, support, inform or entertain. Brave(ish) is a super example of a memoir that does all four.
Not only did I post that review on Expatbookshop as promised, but I have also asked Margaret if I can interview her for one of my In Conversation events next year. Further, I’m writing about her here. I’m glad she reached out and I expect she’s pretty glad too.
You can meet Margaret too when she is part of my In Conversation panel of new memoirists on February 4th 2021 at 2pm UK time. You can register here, for free (event finished). Find out about more of my Virtual Events at https://www.joparfitt.com/virtual-events/
Of course, you could also reach out to her and send her a message via LinkedIn.
