Oh, so happy to hear, Gail. @lilydunn.bsky.social’s #IntoBeing is a brilliant book - not only for those who write, but also for those who love reading, #memoir! #booksky

Book cover of Into Being by Lily Dunn

So fascinated by the #womenwritersnet author interview with @lilydunn.bsky.social that I bought the book #IntoBeing.

In January I was privileged to host @lilydunn.bsky.social for our monthly @womenwritersnet.bsky.social #AuthorInterview. Lily spoke about her new book, #IntoBeing. Access the interview, and discover why I can't recommend the book strongly enough, in the blog post below! @manchesterup.bsky.social

Lily Dunn’s “Into Being” I’ve read many titles on the craft of memoir, but Into Being is about so much more than the craft. I can’t recommend it strongly enough. Lily Dunn’s focus on the transformative power of the p…

If you're #writing #memoir or considering it, read
@lilydunn.bsky.social's #IntoBeing, out from @manchesterup.bsky.social. I can't recommend it strongly enough. Here's why. valeriavescina.com/2026/02/17/l... #womenwriters #booksky #writingcommunity

It was a joy and a privilege to host you, @lilydunn.bsky.social! Thank you for sharing #IntoBeing and your insights into #memoirwriting with the @womenwritersnet.bsky.social community! #womenwriters #memoir @manchesterup.bsky.social

If you weren’t able to attend our @womenwritersnet.bsky.social #AuthorInterview with @lilydunn.bsky.social yesterday, click below to read the whole thread! Happy reading! #memoir #memoirist #IntoBeing @manchesterup.bsky.social

aAnd a Dog | Dr Lily Dunn | Substack I am an incurable memoir addict. I love reading it, teaching it, and writing it. Here you will find stories from a life, but you will also learn how to write it, and how memoir can be transformative…

Thanks so much to @LilyDunn.bsky.social for sharing insights from her #memoir #IntoBeing in last nights #AuthorInterview. For upcoming events you can follow her Substack at lilydunn.substack.com

(We are happy to confirm that the dog is real!)
Catch up on the interview on the thread below

For anyone not able to join us live for our #AuthorInterview with @lilydunn.bsky.social here is the thread. #IntoBeing #memoir #WomenWriters @ @manchesterup.bsky.social

Thanks to all those who followed our #WomenWritersNet live #AuthorInterview with the amazing @lilydunn.bsky.social tonight. Lily spoke about her latest book, #IntoBeing (@Manchesterup.bsky.social), and about her approach to #memoirwriting. If you couldn’t attend, catch up on the whole thread here!

Q6 Where can we find out more about you and #IntoBeing?

@lilydunn.bsky.social
@manchesterup.bsky.social

#WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview

Is it also linked with the writer finding her voice in the process?
In #IntoBeing, you explain how vital it is for the writer to ask “why is this story so important to me?”, and that, though it may take many drafts to work out the answer, the ensuing clarity of vision will result in a clear voice.

Q5 You make a compelling argument for why “the act of writing and research unearths shape”. Could you tell us more about this?

@lilydunn.bsky.social
@manchesterup.bsky.social

#WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview #IntoBeing

You've just mentioned Mary Karr and Annie Ernaux. I liked the way that, in #IntoBeing, you brought in conversations with other memoirists. How have these exchanges influenced your thinking? #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview @lilydunn.bsky.social

Q4 In the book, you speak about concerns that stop some from writing or publishing memoir:
e.g. anxieties around protecting oneself or loved ones. How do you recommend people approach these concerns?

@lilydunn.bsky.social
@manchesterup.bsky.social

#WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview #IntoBeing

I was intrigued by the subtitle, too: “The radical craft of memoir and its power to transform”. Having read your book, I see that transformative quality for both writers and readers. Could you speak about that? #AuthorInterview #booksky @lilydunn.bsky.social #IntoBeing @manchesterup.bsky.social

As you say in #IntoBeing: “We are touching on questions not only of how to write better, but also how to live better, to be more self-aware and honest as we move through the world. The best memoirs, I believe, evolve alongside their authors who gain in understanding and wisdom [...].”

Q3 Can you tell us how the title and the cover came about?

@lilydunn.bsky.social
@manchesterup.bsky.social

#WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview #IntoBeing

A2 #WomenWritersNet Is #IntoBeing a book you, as in instructor, wish you had to offer to students as well?

That comes strongly across in #IntoBeing. I truly loved the book and we at @womenwritersnet.bsky.social are honoured that you're here to speak to our community about it and about your whole approach to memoir writing and its transformative power.

Indeed! In #IntoBeing, you mention that people reached out to you about it, after reading #SinsOfMyFather.

Q2 In #IntoBeing, you convey powerfully “the dance between writing and gaining in self-understanding in life, and how intimately connected they are”. Can you tell us more about this and your aims for the book?

@lilydunn.bsky.social
@manchesterup.bsky.social

#WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview

In 2022, the Guardian and The Spectator named your memoir, #SinsOfMyFather, a best non-fiction book of the year. In #IntoBeing, you speak of the unforeseen positive impact that followed. Could you talk a little about it? #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview @lilydunn.bsky.social

We’ll ask Lily some questions about #IntoBeing, and she’ll answer below.

Please feel free to join in the conversation.
Remember to regularly refresh the page to see the latest posts and replies.
@lilydunn.bsky.social
@manchesterup.bsky.social

#WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview

Welcome to our #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview series.

Today we are chatting with Lily Dunn, author of the recently published #IntoBeing.

@lilydunn.bsky.social
@manchesterup.bsky.social

We cant wait to see you all at todays #AuthorInterview with @lilydunn.bsky.social. 6 pm GMT. Author of Fiction and Non-fiction, Lily will be talking about her #memoir #IntoBeing. Ask questions or just follow #WomenWritersNet for insights into the healing power of memoir. @manchesterup.bsky.social.

Todays #AuthorInterview is with @lilydunn.bsky.social at 6 pm GMT. Author of both Fiction and Non-fiction, Lily will be talking about her #memoir #IntoBeing. Ask questions or just follow #WomenWritersNet for insights into the healing power of memoir. @manchesterup.bsky.social.

Today is the day for our #AuthorInterview with @lilydunn.bsky.social at 6 pm GMT. The author will talk about her #memoir #IntoBeing. You can ask your own questions or just follow #WomenWritersNet for insights into the healing power of memoir. @manchesterup.bsky.social.

Tomorrow is our #AuthorInterview with @lilydunn.bsky.social. Have you got our it in your diary? Thursday 22nd January at 6 pm GMT. Author of both Fiction and Non-fiction, Lily will be talking about #IntoBeing and the healing power of #memoir. Follow #WomenWritersNet to join in.

It's TOMORROW, Thursday 22 January, at 6 pm GMT! Thrilled to be interviewing the wonderful @LilyDunn.bsky.social for @Womenwritersnet.bsky.social. Lily will speak about her latest book, #IntoBeing (@ManchesterUP.bsky.social) and about #memoirwriting. If you're writing #memoir, don't miss this event!

Have you got our #AuthorInterview with @lilydunn.bsky.social in your diary? It's tomorrow - Thursday 22nd January at 6 pm GMT. Author of both Fiction and Non-fiction, Lily will be talking about #IntoBeing and the healing power of #memoir. Follow #WomenWritersNet to join in.