The Stories I've Been Trusted to Tell

If you want to write your memoir, for leadership and guidance, you must consider Marnie as your partner for the journey. She is truly a gem and helped me deliver the best memoir I could.

Marnie helped me dive deep and made sure my readers could understand where my character and the other characters were coming from. Most importantly, she helped me deliver the best memoir I could. For that I am very grateful and would suggest and recommend her to anyone who is looking to build something that they want and to have her leadership and guidance. I can’t say thank you enough.

Thank you, Marnie!

I don’t know what to say except that Marnie is THE BEST! I found her in the acknowledgments a friend wrote in his memoir, and I messaged him to ask about her. He could not say enough good things, so I reached out to Marnie.

We met on Zoom, and she made me feel completely at ease. I sent her the first ten pages of my completed memoir, and she gave some astoundingly great feedback. I had no doubt she was the editor for me. I can honestly say that though my memoir was good before, Marnie made it so much better. She pushed me for dialogue, she asked thought-provoking questions, and I dug deep for the answers. We went back and forth for about seven months, but it was worth all of it.

I was amazed when I read over the most recent draft she sent back to me. It’s a great memoir, and I’m so proud of it. I’m blessed to have Marnie in my corner, cheering me on. Thank you so much! If you are reading this, I cannot recommend Marnie enough. She is amazing!

I will be forever grateful that a friend recommended Marnie, as a possible source of support, as I was writing my first book.

Marnie’s expertise guidance and supportive encouragement made it possible for me to realise my dream. Marnie clearly knows her craft and with her encouragement my confidence and self-belief grew. Marnie has a very down to earth, gentle and kind approach and I felt in safe and honest hands.

They say that everyone has a book in them, and if like me the prospect seems overwhelming, then please contact Marnie because she will help you navigate your way through to finally achieve your ambition.

There are any number of courses and webinars you can take on how to write a memoir. Most of them follow the same path: talking about scenes, show, don’t tell, writing prompts, and/or advice on structure.

All good stuff, but what makes Marnie’s Your Memoir courses different, and better, is that she makes a person feel that, yes, I can do this. She reaches out from the screen and seems to “see” you as an individual and champions your creativity. An online cheerleader, if you will. All the technical knowledge won’t be of much use without that vital ingredient: a strengthening of your confidence.

How often do you take a risk and get the best editor ever?

And then, as we journeyed through the alterations, additions and yes, the cuts, I watched how dedicated she was to the process, always a step ahead of us, merging our stories and seeing through the eyes of the reader. And because of this, I believe that this is her book, too.

If you need an editor for your manuscript, there’s nobody better out there than Marnie Summerfield Smith. She really cares. You can count on it. There’s just no way to thank you enough, Marnie.

Being on stage with Marnie at the Faversham Literary Festival was incredibly natural. The rapport between us was great. She managed to get best out of me and highlight the book in a very concise way, whilst being informative and funny yet respectful when discussing emotional aspects of the book. Marnie had obviously read the book and researched and planned the interview. It really was an immensely enjoyable experience.

I had the pleasure of working with Marnie as she carried out a manuscript assessment for my memoir. Marnie was referred to me by Jericho Writers. She’s truly an expert in her field. Marnie’s written feedback to me was valuable, relevant, insightful and very encouraging. She clearly set out the areas that were working and identified the key elements that required further development. Marnie also supported me as I began the tough process of querying agents.

Marnie is an absolute joy to work with, and I thoroughly recommend her to memoir writers looking for input to support their projects.

I felt as if Marnie was holding my hand throughout. She wanted to do the very best for me. Her caring and compassionate nature was evident from day one. Apart from being extremely intuitive, her wonderful writing skills seemed contagious and I found myself expressing myself like I had never done before! She gently prised open my life without me realising it and I reacquainted myself with the ‘old’ me. At the end, when I had achieved what I had set out to achieve, Marnie was there to heap praise on me. And it was so sincere. The actual book launch was proof of that! She shared in the glory that I was experiencing. And there was immense pride on her face. Her personal satisfaction was undeniable.

My books have arrived! I am so excited and delighted. You are the best ghostwriter. I felt totally comfortable confiding in you, and your kindness and understanding has helped me come to terms with things that have happened. I am sure you’ve helped a lot of people.

I found the entire process with Marnie as my ghostwriter to be cathartic in every way. Where I had felt nervous and anxious about putting pen to paper, I found myself feeling optimistic and often excited.

Emotional release came hand in hand with being listened to, through being able to talk openly and honestly, without judgement. It helped me (even more than I may have been aware of at the time) with the long process of healing. Marnie was dedicated to making sure everything was recorded exactly how it happened and helped with everything, every step of the way.

Thank you for everything Marnie, for helping me share our story while being a lovely trusted friend.

I wouldn’t have managed to do it (the launch or the book) without Marnie. If you know the story of Dumbo who thought he could not fly without holding the feather in his trunk, well I call Marnie my feather.

I don’t what I expected when I started my Memoir journey, but the outcome has surpassed anything I could have imagined and this is all down to the wise help and professionalism I received from Marnie.

Many thanks, dear friend.

Marnie conducted my interview at the Whitstable Book Festival with skill and sensitivity. She was a good listener and took a genuine interest in her subject. We had a capacity audience for what was a very successful afternoon.

I first met Marnie when she interviewed me at Harbour Books, Whitstable about my book Kill The Black One First – a memoir.

I found her a very warm and helpful person. She was very well researched and her questions incisive and pertinent. She certainly helped make the event a success.

Although I met you when the book was almost finished, you were a breath of fresh air, who helped me dig deep and bring the suppressed memories to the surface in a couple of the most difficult chapters I had to write.

All I knew was: I wanted to share my story, write my memoirs. I Googled ghostwriter and Marnie was the first person I contacted. Marnie made such a great first impression that I felt no need to look any further.

She was extremely professional in her manner throughout the delicate process of putting my story to paper for so many to read! I was grateful for her warmth, understanding and empathy, which made sharing far easier.

Thank you Marnie for the hours you spent to ensure Shh was accurately written.

I encourage anyone who may be contemplating the idea of writing their story to contact Marnie. You won’t be disappointed!

I found Marnie to be such an affable person. Not only that, but she gave me the confidence to finish my memoir.

Without her guidance and encouragement, I really don’t think I would have completed my book.

Marnie interviewed me about my memoir Have You Been Good? for Whit Lit in 2015.

Before we met at the festival, we had a long telephone conversation and I was struck at how quickly she understood my book. Her intelligence, warmth and sensitivity made the interview on the day feel more like a conversation with an old friend.

A year later she interviewed me a second time on stage about my memoir-based stories The Truth Game, again asking leading questions to help articulate my thoughts.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Marnie to anyone looking for guidance in telling their story.

Marnie helped my father to edit his memoir Once A Sapper Always A Sapper. He really enjoyed working with her and looked forward to her visits.

Unknown to my father at the time, this work took place in the final year of his life. As his daughter it heartens me to know he was doing something that meant so much to him at this time. The book was finished but not printed at the time of my father’s death.

Marnie arranged for it to be printed in time for the funeral and came along to sell copies for charity on the day.