Family Legacy Writing 360862.9918

The Process

Each life story project is custom designed to meet our client’s needs. Creating an individual’s biography can take a considerable amount of time. The length of time depends on several factors, including the number of interviews, the promptness in which we are provided with photographs and other memorabilia, and how long an individual needs to review the drafts. The more people involved in the project, the longer it will take. For a point of reference, an heirloom book can take several months to produce and typically goes through the following phases:

(click on each heading to show/hide details):

Preparation

During this phase we work with you to determine the scope of your project. Do you want to cover your entire life or just an important period or event? At this time we also identify any unique needs that might affect the project and do any research that is needed.

Gathering Information

We will meet with you in a quiet environment that is relaxed and comfortable—usually your home.  If you contracted to tell your entire life story, we will meet with you for about 12—18 hours. We typically schedule two, 90-minute sessions at a time, but we will schedule our meeting times to suit your schedule and individual needs.  We do like to keep the interviews on consecutive days if possible.

Don’t worry about the interview sessions. We will ask questions to help “jog” your memory.  These questions are usually chronological, but they don’t have to be. And don’t worry about the flow or if you repeat stories or specific details. When we edit your manuscript, we will make sure your story flows nicely.

Even though we call this time an interview, it is just a time of friendly conversation. You don’t need to worry about preparing anything. Remember, we are in this business because we enjoy people and enjoy learning their story.

Manuscript Development

During this phase we will transcribe your interview tapes verbatim. We then take this word-for-word text and organize and edit it for clarity and flow. Since your book is a first-person narrative we are careful to keep your "voice” throughout the manuscript. The ultimate objective of editing is to maintain the meaning and intent of the Narrator while making a readable manuscript. Click here to see an example of edited text.

You will have the opportunity to add, delete, or change this first draft without an additional charge. We then incorporate your changes to create the finished manuscript.

During the manuscript development phase, we will work with you to gather supplemental material so that we can promptly begin the next phase.

Supplemental Material Development

Memorabilia, or supplemental material, is very helpful in telling your story. Once you provide us with the original documents, we will scan them and return the originals safely to you.

Click here for examples of supplemental material.

We also offer a photo retouching service to repair your important damaged photos.

Book Design

During this phase a graphic designer integrates your text and supplemental material into a book form. You will receive the galley, or final, proofs for approval before we print your book.

Book Production

During this last phase, we oversee the printing and binding of your heirloom books. (Our books are printed on archive, acid-free paper.)

Click here for more information on printing and binding styles.

The price to produce an autobiographical book varies with each project. We offer a number of package options.