To think about writing a book around my crazy life?!

Have you considered a podcast
Bbc producers always on lookout for original take

As others have suggested, if you really want to make a go of it, write a synopsis and a couple of chapters, and send to some publishers.

I think you have to have a realistic outlook of what you hope to achieve through it, and a fairly resilient self-esteem. The “misery-lit” genre (which sounds unkind, but is publisher shorthand) is quite saturated, and with the exception of a handful of authors with truly unique stories who’ve gained notoriety through it, even if published they often tend to be short print runs and the sort of books which end up in the bargain basement section pretty quickly. If you’re still a bit fragile, you need to think about how you’d receive that.

Was your partner convicted?

Is he or any of the people involved still alive?

I've written 'real life' stories for years and there is often so much more to the story but it can't be published because of the legals.

Legal proof will be key as to what you can put in print.

It's very frustrating when you know what really happened but without proof you are risking being sued for libel by the people involved. The mitigation would be you can prove the story is true to a very high legal standard or if the people involved are dead as you can't libel the dead.

It's the reason many authors say 'based on a true story' rather than 'is true'.

Writing your journey will be a good part of the healing process. It may not make a publishable book - it's textbook abusive behaviour. But the process will be good for your healing.

There are no unique stories. After millennia of literature, someone will have done it before. How well you do it is the question.

How do you make money as a copywriter in the age of AI?

Copywriter with English degrees but can't spell feasible...? Really?

I'm glad you escaped. There are a lot of books with stories like yours and at least one Hollywood film.

Although, Sleeping with the Enemy does not have a deceased parent in the plot.

I would say, write it but write it for you and then see when you're done if you want to take it further.

Do you enjoy writing? Would it be an enjoyable / worthwhile exercise to produce the story for you?

Getting a book published is hard. Getting a book published and then actually selling a decent number of books is even harder. And depends on a huge number of factors completely out of your control.

But writing - that is for you.

The writer Anna Wharton did a Substack post on this very topic and warned people, especially women from abusive relationships/families to be very careful about writing such pieces because of the legalities.

People often wait until people they write about have died so they aren’t sued for libel.

A friend of mine wrote a book about a narcissistic ex. Her agent wasn’t able to sell it although she thought it was well written as publishers weren’t looking for that at the time (approx 1 year ago). There is nothing wrong with writing about it though. It’s cathartic.

But isn’t this the same for everyone?

" what makes your story unique "

Says some ....

There are no unique stories ,it's not about the story it's about how you write it.

I wouldn’t read it, sorry. Breaking up with an ex doesn’t make your life “crazy” or interesting in any way, at least not for others. Btw, everybody calls their ex narcissistic nowadays. Based on that, the whole world is narcissistic, it seems. If you are not a qualified psychiatrist and can’t establish an official diagnosis, then please don’t.
Stories like yours are one-a-penny and I can read them right here on Mumsnet.

Op, I forgot to add Well done for letting yourself be free from such a person. The fact you achieved that says something about you. It would seem that not everyone is able to leave sounds awful. I am sure you are happier now than when all of this was going on.

I have spent the majority of my life being asked "Are you going to write a book?" because my father was a writer.
Answer...nope. No one would be interested, it's bloody hard work, it doesn't make financial sense and no way would I expose myself to that sort of gawping!

Agree,
what is the originality of your story ?
the story arc ?
we have nothing to go on here to comment, other than you have a crazy life - what ? Like mental illness ?
You met a narcissist?
who hasn’t ? Do u have insight into what a narcissistic personality disorder actually looks like, or is it just a turn of phrase like ‘crazy life’ ??

Personally, that wouldn't interest me as it is sadly all too common and I have read many books and articles on along that kind of theme.

After your update I was going to say that your situation isn't unique and I think you'd be how surprised how common it is.

However, I've just read this comment and it's not a bad idea. You could do something along these lines. It's not something I'd be interested in reading but there may be some people interested.

It could be a very helpful book to warn people. I imagine it will help you in the writing of it and then other people would be able to learn from it. I hope that you give it some thought OP. If it does get published let everyone know on MN. Best wishes, it could prevent a few from taking up with a person like your ex.