America Quote by Paul Auster
![“When the publisher here in America wanted to put the word "memoir" on the title page [of 'Winter Journal'] and on the cover, I said, "No, no, no, no, no, no." No genre whatsoever. It's an independent work not really connected to those things at all.” quote by Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fb4/paul-auster-351_america_when-the-publisher-here-in-america-wante_256145.jpg)
“When the publisher here in America wanted to put the word "memoir" on the title page [of 'Winter Journal'] and on the cover, I said, "No, no, no, no, no, no." No genre whatsoever. It's an independent work not really connected to those things at all.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Winter Journal by Paul Auster, 2012
Auster resisted labeling his work as a memoir, insisting it defies genre and stands as an independent literary piece.
In simple terms: He refused a genre label for his book.
Key Takeaway
Embrace works without limiting categories.
Themes
literary freedom
genre
authorship
independence
Mood
reflective
defiant
Type
essay
statement
When to use this quote
- publishing decisions
- creative writing
- marketing strategies
- reading expectations
Key Concepts
genre theory
authorial intent
literary classification
Questions to Reflect On
- How does removing genre affect reader perception?
- What benefits arise from genre‑free writing?
A Different Perspective
Genre labels can shape audience expectations, potentially restricting interpretation.
![“I don't like that word [memoir]. Whenever my publishers have wanted to use it, I've told them to take it away.” quote by Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f41/paul-auster-351_memoir_i-don-t-like-that-word-memoir-whenever-m_1889596.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
