Memoir Writer at Heart: The Story Behind FirstMemoir's Creation
Hello,
I’m Andreja Bogdanot, the founder and writer at FirstMemoir. My passion for preserving family legacies and my commitment to capturing authentic, lived experiences make memoir writing more than just a profession for me—it’s a calling. Over the last fifteen years, I’ve honed my skills in conducting in-depth interviews with people from various walks of life, skills that are crucial for crafting compelling memoirs. Through FirstMemoir, I've developed a proficiency in gathering unique and personal accounts, making sure each story resonates with the reader. You can read a sample of my work as a memoir writer here.
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Since 2020, I've made North Northumberland my permanent home. This peaceful and tranquil rural setting provides not only an inspiring backdrop but also enriches my work, especially since I've been volunteering as an Oral Historian for the Union Chain Bridge Project (http://unionchainbridge.org)—an initiative under Museums Northumberland. My work here involves collecting oral histories from local residents, thereby preserving local culture and heritage for future generations.
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Before founding FirstMemoir, my journey in writing and research spanned over fifteen years. I’ve worked as a researcher for one of the leading non-profit organisations in Macedonia and have authored numerous publications on topics ranging from politics to security in the Balkans. I completed my Master’s degree in International Peace and Security at King’s College London and later earned my PhD from the University of Buckingham, where I focused on church independence movements in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. For a full list of my publications, please visit this link on Academia.edu.
These experiences add a unique depth to my memoir writing. Memoir writing requires connecting the dots and condensing large quantities of information—skills I've developed over years of research and countless interviews across various sectors.
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The importance of personal stories has always been clear to me, especially since I was discouraged from exploring my family history as a young boy—an experience that has only reinforced my belief in the value of memoirs.
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I look forward to helping you tell your story.
Andreja Bogdanot, PhD
Founder and Writer - FirstMemoir
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