Biography and Memoir Writing
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LEGACY
Make your story last forever
“They loved strawberries with their ice cream.” Did they? Did you?
Who’s telling your story?
How you want to be remembered is a choice.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to record yours.
I’ll help you capture your story and preserve it, just the way you want it.
Even if you need two versions of your story, you know, like *cough* a special edition for your Mum.
Choose how you want your chapters to be remembered.
Your Life Tapestry
Everyone thinks they are too ordinary to leave a legacy.
In my previous life, I was a hairdresser.
After 23 years of being privy to the most extraordinary stories over the hairdryer, while simultaneously building my writing jam on the side, I know firsthand that everyone has an incredible story to tell.
And YES people tell their hairdressers everything.
It’s all true. Rapturous stuff.
I have had the privilege of bearing witness to so many beautiful journeys and stories in my lifetime.
The joy and pain, heartache and horror, faith and forgiveness, resilience and reinvention.
I strongly encourage everybody to leave a record of their lives – the good, the bad, the beautiful.
You never know who might be inspired by it along the way.
Take the Leap
Whether you want to record just a single chapter in your life, pass on your story in the pages of a beautifully printed book or create a keepsake of an epic achievement, milestone or life-changing event, I will work with you to create a legacy project that will never be forgotten.
Some types of biographies and memoirs I write include:
- Life biographies
- Heritage memoirs
- Single chapter stories
- Immigrant settlement journeys
- Corporate business biographies
- Records of big life events.
Some of the ways you can have your completed story presented include:
- A beautifully printed coffee-table book for family and friends
- Digital eBook
- Audio recording
- A personal and privately accessible website.
FAQ
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Sharing your memories with someone else is a very special experience. So it is important for us to talk, connect and meet up beforehand – either in person or over Zoom.
You have the option of being interviewed in person in your own home or office or online over Zoom. Travel and accommodation costs are quoted separately.
Once we have decided to go ahead a plan will be put in place for us to start the interview times together.
- All interviews are recorded over video. Unedited copies of these videos are provided for you with your completed story to keep
- Once the interviews have been completed, I will begin with the first draft
- Each story has a first draft and two additional rounds of revisions.
- When you are happy with the final content, it is then provided to our designer, who will professionally prepare the layout of the words and photographs into a digital or print-ready file.
- You will have an opportunity to view the design version before it goes to print to make any final changes
- Once your final book, e-book, or audio interview is ready, we will be in touch with you to make the final delivery.
Having your own story recorded can be very emotional, confronting and cathartic all at the same time.
Everything you share with me is completely confidential and you have the final say on what goes into your completed story.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Right, so how much does it all cost?
Annoying, I know, but there is no one-size-fits-all rate for these things.
Because I don’t want to waste your time or mine, there are things I need to know before I can give you a price for your project.
To get a head start, you can give me some background on what you are looking for here.
Or email me and we can set up a time to chat.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
How long is a piece of string?
The time it takes from start to finish will depend on the size and scope of your project. Again, annoyingly so, there is no one-size-fits-all for these things.
To give you an idea, here are some ballpark estimates:
- Single-chapter stories and life events – 3-4 weeks
- Full biography or memoir – 4 – 6 months
- Immigration settlement journey – 3-4 weeks
- Corporate stories 3-4 weeks.
These time frames are based on previous projects and include interview times, revisions, and the designer’s first draft.
Printers have their own print schedules and will provide us with their time frame estimates when we are print file ready.
Revisions are typically the biggest factor in slowing projects down, so this is why the initial briefing process is so important.
Don't leave your story behind
Share your life with the people you love forever.
Join The Crew
Happy Jammers
