We know that you have questions about creating a memoir, so we’ve compiled this list of frequently asked questions to help. We welcome your questions and comments, so please contact us.

How much does it cost to have a book done?

The cost of a personal history book varies, depending on how extensive the project is. Since the interviews are the starting point in creating a book, the cost can depend greatly on the number of interviews conducted.

A ballpark figure is $1,000 to $1,500 for every two hours of interviews, which covers the cost of interviewing, transcribing, editing, scanning photos, page design, printing and binding for one book. Since all the time and expense goes into creating the first book, the price for additional books simply covers the printing and binding costs.

A personal memoir usually can be created with 10 hours of interviews, so the cost would be roughly $7,500 to $10,000. Travel inside Western Washington and Western Oregon is included in the price.

If the cost seems prohibitive, consider dividing the expense among siblings, children or others who might be willing to share the cost of preserving a loved one’s life stories. Everyone will benefit from receiving a copy of the book, so perhaps they would all share in the cost of creating the book.

Also, the fee can be paid in four separate installments to make it more manageable.

Can I just have the tapes done instead of a book?

This is always an option—and a very good one if you’re short on money but worried about waiting until it’s too late to have your parents or grandparents interviewed. The tapes can be turned into a book at a later date, but it’s crucial to have the interviews done now. Don’t delay: family members’ stories captured for posterity are priceless.

The interviews can be conducted, without the cost of creating a book, for about $750 for 10 hours of interviews. Again, travel inside Western Washington and Western Oregon is included in the price.

Can I have the tapes transcribed?

Yes, we can transcribe the tapes and provide you with the tapes and transcription. Some people may find this is exactly what they want. But others prefer an edited first-person narrative combined with photos and other memorabilia into a keepsake book.

How long does it take to have a book done?

The answer to this question depends a lot on the narrator and the client.

We conduct the interviews at the narrator’s convenience—we can do the interviews in one or two days or spread them over a couple of months. Within a month of finishing the last interview, we’ll have the edited first draft of the narrative to you for review. We can gather the photos and other memorabilia for scanning any time during the interviewing process.

After the client finishes reviewing the first draft and returns it to us, we can make corrections and changes, design the book and have the final draft back to the client within a month.

After that draft has been reviewed, we can make the changes and have the book proofed and printed within a month. The length of time it takes to have the books bound depends on the number of copies and the time of year.

My mother has already passed away, so have I missed the opportunity to create a book?

No, it’s never too late. We can help you create a tribute book about your mother’s life by interviewing her siblings, friends, relatives, children, co-workers and others who are willing to share their special memories about her life.

Her siblings, and perhaps her spouse, may recall stories of her childhood, recollections of parents and grandparents and tales of love, romance or other special events in her life. A tribute book, combining the photos with the stories, will be a treasure to pass on to future generations. It’s a wonderful way to honor your mother’s memory.

I don’t remember anything about my childhood and my parents are gone. How can I have a book done?

It’s amazing how many stories will start flowing through your mind when the right questions are asked. We can go through photos with you to help trigger memories, capturing stories as they come to mind.

Another great source of early memories are Christmas letters, diary entries, letters between parents and similar personal paperwork. The stories will come; we just need to be there to capture them on tape when they do.

What if I say something on tape that I regret saying?

This is never a problem when the final product is a book. The narrator and the client have the final say over what goes into the book. If you didn’t like a particular story, cross it out when you review the first draft.

If you think a relative might be angry about something, feel free to eliminate it. This is your book. Relatives may receive a copy of the book—they don’t have to listen to the tapes. The tapes belong to you—you are free to do whatever you like with them.

I want a history of our company done. But the people who remember the early days have all retired.

We can interview the people who played a role in the company’s history, either in person or over the telephone. Julie McDonald Zander, who worked a decade as a reporter, has experience interviewing strangers about their lives and the roles they may have played in developing businesses.

We can interview as many people as you like, then blend the stories together into a professional history of your company. We also check and double-check the facts for accuracy. Again, as the client, you have final say over what goes into the book.

I don’t want the book to sound like a formal paper or news article.

Don’t worry. A talented editor remains invisible, retaining the voice of the narrator or writer in all cases. The story will sound as if you’re sitting in the room with the narrator listening to him or her tell those stories you may have heard years ago. But instead of jumping around, as people tend to do when sharing memories, the book will flow naturally from one story to the next.

But I’m not a very good speaker.

This is where the invisible editor can help. We don’t want you to feel as though your story sounds illiterate, but we want it to sound like you. We can make sure the book reads well, and is grammatically correct, but keep it in the words you use when you speak. Never fear—the book will be a treasure and a keepsake for all who know you.

What about the binding?

Binding options abound. You can have a few books bound by hand by book artists, or you can have more books bound by professional binding companies. Or you can have the printed book bound with plastic comb binding or coil binding. The choice is yours. The cost varies depending on the option selected and the number of books bound.

How can I become a personal historian?

The best way to become a personal historian is to look for a local chapter of personal historians and join to learn how to create, publish, and market personal histories. Joining a local chapter, such as Personal Historians Northwest, enables you to connect with others who are conducting this work and providing this service.

I have additional questions. Where can I go for answers?

Feel free to visit the Chapters of Life^® blog and post any comments or questions.