“Illusions of Youth: Humping the Air, Sponge Bombs, and the
Illusions of Youth is a coming-of-age memoir told in mixtape form—a fast, funny, and unexpectedly moving story of growing up in the late ’90s. From streaking grocery stores to spiritual awakenings in India, it follows one kid’s reckless sprint toward meaning, identity, and something like faith. Think On the Road with better jokes and worse decisions. For readers of Mary Karr, Rob Sheffield, and anyone who’s ever looked back and thought: I can’t believe we survived that—and I wouldn’t change a thing
Details
- Age Group:Coming of Age
- Manuscript TypeFull Manuscript
- Draft Number:Second Draft
- Word Count (Rounded Up):Up to 10,000 words
- Spice Level3 Peppers (regular spice)
Story Type:
- Novella
Primary Genre:
- Non-fiction
Themes & Tropes
- Contemporary
- Humour | Comedy
- Morally Grey
Requirements & Requests
Validate the Voice: Does the mix of humor, heart, and chaos resonate with readers? 2. Find the Gaps: Are there parts that drag, confuse, or need more context? 3. Gauge the Arc: Does the emotional journey feel earned? Do readers care by the end? 4. Target the Audience: Who’s actually connecting with it—young adults, ex-Mormons, Gen Xers, music-heads, memoir fans?
Comparable Stories:
On the road, catcher in the Rye, god bless you, Mr. Rosemary
Trigger Warnings:
No d
Manuscript Format
- DOC or .DOCX