Book Memoirs

Whether we publish your whole life story or a shorter memoir that focuses on one segment of your life, we'll handle all but the storytelling. We interview you in person or over the phone and then work our magic. We use your words in your voice to write a pleasing narrative that can help you deeply connect with all generations of your family (maybe even yourself) forever. Book memoirs are customized to help you share your story in the most authentic and organic way possible. All you need to do is tell your story, approve the interior and exterior of the book, and have fun. Then, host a book signing party, of course!

Audio Memoirs

We record your story as you tell it in your own words. Then, we edit your recordings to remove any unnecessary silence, the dreaded "umms" and "ahhs", unexpected noises (e.g., doorbells, phones ringing, etc.), as well as anything you tell us you should not have said! We also move your words around so that each track/recording addresses a specific topic or theme. After you review and approve the final recordings, we deliver the audio playlist to you digitally. Your voice is a part of you, and it's irreplaceable. Leave a record of your words, your tone, your laugh, and your emotions as part of your legacy for your family!

Words of Wisdom Mini-Memoirs

The Words of Wisdom mini-memoir is perfect if you want to incrementally save your legacy due to time or budget constraints. We use a standard set of questions about your beliefs, values, life lessons, key ancestors, treasured possessions, wishes, and wisdom. The mini-memoir paperback book is delivered in the style of a lightly-edited transcript. The mini-memoir audio playlist is delivered online as a set of digital recordings. We interview you in person or by phone, transcribe and edit the recording, and deliver the final book and/or playlist. All you need to do is answer our questions authentically, tell your stories, and review the final product.

Online Workshops and Courses

If you'd like to do the work to save your Legacy of Love, but you don't know where to start or you need someone to hold you accountable, our online workshops will do the trick! Simply register for the workshop, attend regularly (usually once per week), do your homework, and come to cheer on your storytelling peers. Our workshops make the memoir process fun and engaging. You'll learn about the process, about yourself, and save a priceless heirloom for all generations of your family.

COMING SOON: Online Self-Directed Courses—Stay tuned!

Legacy Love Letters

Sometimes, our Storytellers want to leave something extremely personal behind for one or more family members. We can help you write individual letters to your loved ones or write one longer Legacy Love letter (a.k.a. ethical will) for your whole family. We print the letters on elegant paper and help you decide when you want to present your letters to your recipients. This type of project is more than simply typing out a letter. It's often a rewarding and emotional experience that brings the Storyteller peace and comfort.

Photo Preservation

We can help you curate, scan, store, and share your photograph collection. Through a series of photo organizing sessions, we help you determine which photographs to keep and which to discard. We can also scan your photos and complete minor enhancements. If you live within driving distance of the Merrimack Valley (MA and NH), you can eliminate the risk of sending your photographs through the mail. No more worrying about whether you'll get your photos back in one piece!

A sample of a cancer journey memoir

When we started working with Lynda Spinelli, she was excited to write her memoir about surviving cancer, but she had no idea where to start. She told us that she was not a writer, but she still wanted to tell her story to help cancer patients from the holistic community. We met for four storytelling hours plus an hour for photo selection. You can read a few pages of My Protocol: How I Broke the Rules and Survived Cancer on Amazon.

Read a portion of Lynda's memoir

A sample of a children's book and an audio memoir

When he was in his early twenties, William "Papa Bill" Ewald caught a bank robber. He told his family his intriguing story as part of his audio memoir. For Christmas the next year, we helped his grandchildren create a children's book telling the story. We crafted the rhyming text for the story, and his grandchildren drew and colored the pictures. After we presented Papa Bill with the book, we recorded him reading the story for his future great-grandchildren. It was a fun project that will touch many generations to come!

We also recorded nearly ten hours of Bill's audio memoir. One story about his childhood is featured below.

Papa Bill reading the Alligator Door

Papa Bill Telling the Story

Bill's childhood story about working in the Mr. Boston distillery

A sample of a Legacy Love Letter and a Words of Wisdom Mini-Memoir

When Richie Mastroianni learned he was about to embark on a difficult medical treatment, he wanted to tell his family a few things—but they weren't ready to face the fact that they might lose him. We worked with Richie to complete his Words of Wisdom mini-memoir that captured many of the thoughts and feelings he wanted to share. In addition, we helped him write eighteen letters to his loved ones and a personal statement to be read at his Celebration of Life service. The letters were set aside to be delivered after he passed away. We were blessed to know Richie for more than two years after our first meeting. The world was so much better because he was in it. Richie's wife, Diane, now takes comfort in listening to her husband's voice as he dictated his love letter.

Read Richie's Legacy Love Letter and a portion of his Words of Wisdom Mini-Memoir

A sample of a book memoir

Donna's adult daughter approached us to write Donna's memoir. Her daughter wanted to know her mom in a deeper way. We worked with Donna long-distance and explored all stages of her life from childhood to meeting her husband, from motherhood to caring for her sick loved ones. Due to a previous medical procedure, Donna didn't believe that she was capable of remembering much of her past. Little did she know that she could remember 250+ pages of her life story!

Read a portion of Donna's memoir

A sample of an book and audio memoir

When when Alfred "Al" Ewald came to us, he was typing his autobiography on an electric typewriter. He didn't have internet or a computer, but he was so grateful for all that he did have throughout his life. And he wanted to share his experiences with his family.

We worked with Al (long distance) to publish his book memoir entitled The "Cute" One: Memoirs of a Grateful, Four-eyed Nerd with Quacky Feet. We also delivered five recordings so his family would not forget his voice. Take a few minutes to listen to each story using the audio recordings below. Notice the intonation, accent, laugh, and emotion that cannot possibly be captured in print. We trust that you'll agree—your voice is an integral part of your Legacy of Love.

Read and listen to a portion of Al's memoir

Photo scanning and organizing example

When Jackie contacted us, she was writing chapters of her memory book on her own. She knew that she was about to tell the story of a difficult time in her life, and she wanted support as she confronted those memories. We helped Jackie finish the writing of volume one and volume two of her memory book. Then, we helped her sort, select, organize, and scan thousands of photographs. She didn't want to leave so many artifacts as a burden on her family. We've enjoyed meeting with Jackie a couple of times per month for the past couple of years, and we love hearing her stories!

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about our Hindsight is 20/20 Guided Memoir Workshop

Ready to save your life story?

Let's schedule a complimentary Save a Life Story conversation.