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Updated October 2026New Memoirs: The Biggest Memoirs of Fall 2026
The most talked-about memoirs released in September and October 2026, from Ke Huy Quan and Sylvester Stallone to Gloria Steinem and Michael Douglas. For each one: what the book covers, who wrote it, when it came out and where to buy it.
Quick answer: The biggest memoirs of fall 2026 include Charles Spencer’s Swan Song about his sister Diana and Colin Kaepernick’s The Perilous Fight (both New York Times number one bestsellers), plus new memoirs from Ke Huy Quan, Gloria Steinem, Kyle MacLachlan, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Douglas and Christy Carlson Romano.
September and October 2026
New memoirs this season
Never Say Die
Ke Huy Quan. It follows his life from his family’s escape from Communist Vietnam to a childhood in Los Angeles’s Chinatown, his sudden fame as a child actor in the 1980s, the long years when acting roles dried up, and his comeback at 49.
What it covers → September 15, 2026The Perilous Fight
Colin Kaepernick. The publisher describes it as equal parts memoir and manifesto: a first-person account of his life and of the protest that drew national attention
What it covers → September 22, 2026Swan Song
Charles Spencer. The publisher presents it as the first time he has written at length about Diana, from an unusually close family vantage point
What it covers → September 22, 2026An Unexpected Life
Gloria Steinem. It reflects on more than sixty years of activism, from a childhood shaped by poverty and an itinerant father to her role in women’s rights movements and decades of travel in support of justice.
What it covers → September 29, 2026Fictional Selves
Kyle MacLachlan. It is built around the idea of doppelgangers: the characters he has played, the roles he did not get, and an ego he calls “Other Kyle”.
What it covers → September 29, 2026The Steps
Sylvester Stallone. It takes its title from the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps from the film’s famous training run, which he uses as a metaphor for facing challenges one step at a time.
What it covers → October 6, 2026One Helluva Ride
Michael Douglas. It runs from his childhood and complicated relationship with his father, Kirk Douglas, through a career that brought two Oscars, and on to his personal struggles, his illness and his marriage.
What it covers → October 6, 2026Once Upon a Trainwreck
Christy Carlson Romano. It covers her years as a Disney Channel star, her struggles as a young adult, and how she rebuilt her life, with letters to her two daughters woven throughout.
What it covers →Release calendar
Fall 2026 memoir release dates
| Memoir | Author | Released | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Never Say Die | Ke Huy Quan | September 15, 2026 | Grand Central Publishing |
| The Perilous Fight | Colin Kaepernick | September 15, 2026 | Legacy Lit (Hachette Book Group) |
| Swan Song | Charles Spencer | September 22, 2026 | Penguin Press (US) / Penguin Random House UK |
| An Unexpected Life | Gloria Steinem | September 22, 2026 | Random House |
| Fictional Selves | Kyle MacLachlan | September 29, 2026 | Crown (Penguin Random House) |
| The Steps | Sylvester Stallone | September 29, 2026 | William Morrow (HarperCollins) |
| One Helluva Ride | Michael Douglas | October 6, 2026 | Grand Central Publishing |
| Once Upon a Trainwreck | Christy Carlson Romano | October 6, 2026 | Simon & Schuster |
Inspired to tell your own story? You don’t need to be famous to write a memoir. Many of the best known memoirs are written with a professional collaborator. Find out which kind of writer fits your story and budget in five quick questions.
Find my memoir writerMemoir basics
What is a memoir?
A memoir is a true story from the author’s own life, told in the first person and usually focused on a theme or a period rather than every year in order. That focus is what separates a memoir from an autobiography, and it is why memoirs often read like novels.
The memoirs above come from famous people, but the form belongs to everyone. Families commission memoirs of parents and grandparents, founders write about building a company, and survivors record what they lived through. Many are written with a memoir ghostwriter who interviews the author and shapes the story.
Want to capture a parent’s or grandparent’s story? Our free Memoir Interview Kit gives you the questions professional ghostwriters ask, so you can start recording memories this week.
Get the free interview kitStraight answers
Memoir FAQ
What is a memoir?
A memoir is a true story from the author’s own life, told in the first person. Unlike an autobiography, which usually covers a whole life in order, a memoir often focuses on a theme, a period or a set of experiences, and reads more like a story.
What is the difference between a memoir and an autobiography?
An autobiography is typically a comprehensive, chronological account of a whole life. A memoir is more selective and personal, built around particular memories, relationships or turning points. Many celebrity books blend the two.
What are the biggest new memoirs of fall 2026?
Notable September and October 2026 memoirs include Never Say Die by Ke Huy Quan, The Perilous Fight by Colin Kaepernick, Swan Song by Charles Spencer, An Unexpected Life by Gloria Steinem, Fictional Selves by Kyle MacLachlan, The Steps by Sylvester Stallone, One Helluva Ride by Michael Douglas and Once Upon a Trainwreck by Christy Carlson Romano.
Do celebrities write their own memoirs?
Some do, and many work with a professional collaborator or ghostwriter. See our guide to famous ghostwriters for the writers behind well-known memoirs.
Can I write a memoir if I’m not famous?
Absolutely. Most memoirs are written for family, community or a niche readership. A memoir ghostwriter can interview you and write the book in your voice. Start with our free Writer Match Quiz.
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