autofiction

American  

[aw-toh-fik-shuhn] / ˈɔ toʊˌfɪk ʃən /

noun

1. a genre of novel or short story whose narrator or protagonist is understood to be the author, and which explores the author’s real-life story using the techniques and devices of fiction.

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Etymology

Origin of autofiction

First recorded in 1975–80; auto- ¹ ( def. ) + fiction ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

autofiction

Based on his 1997 children’s novella, this economical piece of autofiction chronicles a life-changing cross-country flight in 1962 from Travolta’s childhood home in New Jersey to the sunny streets of Los Angeles.

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026

Unlike much contemporary literary fiction, which weighs heavily toward interiority and autofiction, Shriver’s novels are both idea- and plot-driven.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 31, 2026

Allen has suggested that some of the songs are written "in character", saying that the lyrics "could be considered autofiction" - a genre that combines autobiography and fiction.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2025

The nested-doll structure of Mäkelä’s film speaks to the writer-director’s fascination with the pleasures and perils of autofiction.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2024

Mitchell’s recording career, which began in the 1960s, has included her early folk music, the autofiction of her classic albums “Blue” and “Court and Spark,” and the jazz that followed.

From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2024