Forever Young Autobiographies

Shooting Up case study: How an American missionary kid’s family helped launch Betel rehab in 1980s Spain.  Shooting Up: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Addiction by Jonathan Tepper is a heartfelt letter to family and friends. It's an intimate portrait of radical compassion amid the AIDS crisis, told through the eyes of a boy watching his parents choose the damned over the respectable while witnessi...

Book review: Multi-ABIA winner written with filmmaker Poppy Stockell.   The Voice Inside by John Farnham with Poppy Stockell is an ABIA winning memoir about one of Australia’s much-loved legends. The No. 1 bestseller is a deeply personal and entertaining life story about finally standing up for his creative instinct and finding his true voice. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  00:00 Intro 01:20 What this Hachett...

Case study: Capturing a family’s generation of stories.  Generation Jumping: Losing Those Who Are Not Lost by Steve Beal Senior is a heartfelt memoir about the final days of several family members, including his own dad. Inspired by family funerals that felt more like celebrations, it reminds us that “life is short – share stories and memories before they are gone”.  ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  00:00 Intro...

Book review: Pulitzer Prize winner by bestselling author Jonathan Eig. King: A Life by Jonathan Eig is a Pulitzer Prize winning biography of preacher and activist Martin Luther King Jr who dreamt of changing the world. Indeed the Nobel Prize awardee inspired generations to stand up peacefully for freedom and dignity. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  00:00 Intro 01:30 What this Macmillan Publishers work is all a...

Case study: Music agency founder on surviving the mob to representing Rod Stewart, ZZ Top and The Eagles.  Blacker’s new memoir, Once A King, Now A Prince , is a wild ride through family dysfunction, the mob and the golden era of rock and roll (think Rod Stewart, ZZ Top and The Eagles)! But more than just celebrity stories, Ira’s journey is a masterclass in turning a private journal into a powerfu...

Book review: British Book Awards winner’s inside take on Brexit, democracy and the Conservative Party. Politics On the Edge by Rory Stewart is a No. 1 bestseller about his rise as an unknown Member of Parliament to reportedly being the people’s choice as the next UK Prime Minister. However, it is also a scorching look at the inadequacies of some MPs and elements of democracy.  ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  *...

Case study: Cold War pilgrimage leads to Washington’s toxic Hanford site. Atomic Pilgrim: How Walking Thousands of Miles for Peace Led to Uncovering Some of America's Darkest Nuclear Secrets by James Patrick Thomas is brimming with faith, action and persistence. Importantly it shows how individuals can impact powerful players and reminds us to stay hopeful. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this nucle...

Book review: Walkley Awards winner by Aussie investigative journalist Andrew Fowler. Nuked: The Submarine Fiasco that Sank Australia’s Sovereignty by Andrew Fowler is a tale of treachery and intrigue. Using award-winning investigative journalism skills, Fowler exposes the spectacular fallout from Australia’s duplicitous AUKUS deal.  ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this Melbourne University Publishing be...

Case study: New rancher and mother finds home in rural Canada. Small-Town Chaos: Lessons on Country Life by Lenore Focht is a captivating memoir full of hilarity and heartbreak. It traces how independent city teacher Focht is transformed by the love, resilience and community found in rural Canadian town Liberty.  ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * How Christmas letters inspired Focht to start her story. * What...

Book review: Australian Book Industry Awards winner by writer Anna Funder. Wifedom: Mrs Orwell's Invisible Life by Anna Funder dissects what it takes to be a writer and what it is to be a wife. Using newly uncovered letters the biography masterfully draws the brilliant Eileen O’Shaughnessy from out of the shadows of her husband’s famous writings. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this Penguin Random H...

Case study: Fistula Foundation CEO’s tale of compassion from Madison Avenue to Africa and Asia.  No Woman Left Behind: A Journey of Hope to Heal Every Woman Injured in Childbirth by Kate Grant is an inspiration for how to create a life of purpose. It is the unlikely story of how one woman leaves Madison Avenue, New York, to tackle the global maternal health crisis head on. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * Wha...

Book review: A Pulitzer winner by Yale Professor Beverly Gage.  G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century by Beverly Gage is a monumental biography.  It is a revelatory portrait of a colossus who for decades influenced government, policing, race, ideology, politics, federal power and much more. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this Viking publication is all about * Highlights from the...

Case study: Amazing tales of a motorcycle-loving teen from Washington. I Was A Teenage Know Nothing is a teen tale about dating, motorcycles, car races and movies. However it is also full of tough lessons, tested emotions, patience and optimism. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this Nineties life story is about * How Ownbey started and finished this memoir * Tips for creating a first draft and beyond * W...

What every life-story creator should read this year. Find your next book to read with the Forever Young Autobiographies best life stories of 2024 book shortlist. Try stories about authors, politicians, preachers and more.  ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * Discover what should be on your reading list * Top book recommendations from around the globe * Best non-fiction by a range of authors * Books to read that...

Case study: How a LA ad editor ended up on the set of a Chinese fairy tale. Sit, Cinderella, Sit by Lisa Cheek is a funny and heart-warming tale of what can happen when you take a leap of faith. It highlights the importance of looking past differences and daring to believe in yourself. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this China travel memoir is about * How Cheek wrote this dog story * Her top tips to bo...

Book review: A British Book Awards winner and bestseller by Katherine Rundell. Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne by Katherine Rundell is a witty and intelligent biography. It is a refreshing and illuminating take on the highs and lows of a highly talented historical figure born in 1500s England. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this Faber publication is all about * Interesting facts about...

Ask Nicola Q&A: 5 positive traits to improve your writing. Ordinary people can be great writers! They push through negative thoughts and barriers to put pen to paper time and again. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * Five good personality traits for life-story creators * Why positive personality traits can help you write well * What makes a good author finish a first draft * What to do when a story isn’t wh...

Book review: Australian Book Industry Awards winner about a First Nations and Carlton identity.  Eddie Betts is an inspirational story of a true Australian Rules champion, on and off the field. It is a moving tale of an Aboriginal boy who battled discrimination and who grew up to be famous for his gravity-defying kicks. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this Australian Aboriginal's memoir is about * Highl...

7 amazing secrets on how to write a book name (plus examples of eye-catching headlines).  There are many creative tactics for how to write a book title or super chapter title. Best of all they are easy and fun to try! ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * Different types of headlines and titles * Top ideas for good book titles * My favourite headline writing strategy * Be confident to write great headlines that re...

Case study: How a Florida journalist wrote this She Writes Press life story. 'Nobody’s Daughter: A memoir of healing the mother wound' by Rica Ramos underscores every woman’s right to truth and validation. It offers a bold and lucid look at mother-daughter relationships. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this trauma memoir is about * How Ramos started this project of self discovery * Practical tip...

Amazing reasons why you should write a feature story.  A life-story feature article is informative, entertaining and easy to read. They also make a top gift and can be a great exercise for a student to do with a grandparent or loved one. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * Why feature writing is so attractive * How anyone can create a feature story * What makes a profile feature article so simple * Create a shar...

Book review: Australian Book Industry Awards winner about an Aussie girl from Ipswich. My Dream Time: A memoir of tennis and teamwork by Ash Barty is a fair-dinkum Aussie read. It is about tennis, family, teamwork and how Barty got to be the grand-slam champ she is today. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this HarperCollins publication is all about * What's fascinating about this grand slam's memo...

What’s on a life-story coach’s reading list for 2024! Find a holiday read with the Forever Young Autobiographies best life stories of 2023 book list. Try stories about sportspeople, creatives, leaders and more. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * My Dream Time: A memoir of tennis and teamwork by Ash Barty * The Boy from Boomerang Crescent by Eddie Betts * The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel exports the technolo...

Best 2023 articles about writing quotes, story setting, why is theme important and family story Mitan and Moni. A big thanks to all Forever Young Autobiographies readers and customers for your support during 2023! The Forever Young Autobiographies website has had thousands of visitors this year looking to plan, create, polish and publish life-story projects. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * Writing quotes to...

Everything you need to know about gift giving for life story lovers. Take a moment to celebrate how far you have come this year with your life-story project. Reward yourself with a gift under the Christmas tree that will encourage further creating. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * Planning presents for under the tree * 'Bright' Christmas gift ideas * Shortcut gifts to tame creative stress * Treat your...