Memoir, Biography, Brand, and the Role of Ghostwriters

Behind every powerful story lies a complex set of choices: who tells it, how it’s told, and where it finds its audience. This session explores the art and business of memoir, biography, and personal projects, from celebrity bestsellers to deeply personal family histories, corporate commissions to alternative ways of publishing fiction and non-fiction. We’ll examine the pivotal role of ghostwriters and the growing impact of self-publishing, which is reshaping the landscape by offering authors greater creative control, faster timelines, and enhanced financial returns. Joining the discussion are Sarah Emsley, Managing Director and Publisher at HarperNonFiction and HarperNorth, whose list includes chart-topping memoirs from Matthew Perry, Matthew McConaughey, and Bryony Gordon; John Bond, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Whitefox Publishing, a leader in the fast-expanding world of independent publishing; and Alice Guthrie, acclaimed Arabic-English translator, editor and founder of GCC family history authoring service Siratna, who brings unique insight into creating personal and family histories across the region.