First step

The first step will be to have a general chat with Carolyn about what you want.

If you’ve decided to commission a book, Carolyn will carry out a series of interviews – this can be face-to-face, by phone or via a video call (such as on WhatsApp).

Each interview is normally based on particular topics or stages of the subject’s life. Carrying out hour-long sessions once or twice a week tends to work best as this gives you a chance to think in advance about your memories and what you want to say.

Your book might also involve just interviewing a single person, a couple or several members of the wider family.

Carolyn will then typically write your stories as a series of chapters on different topics – e.g. childhood, relatives, schooldays, careers etc.

Editing & changes

Once the first draft is complete, you will be invited to read it through, check facts, and add additional information (or delete anything you’ve had second thoughts about).

Images

You can put as many photos and other images in the book as you want – but please see our options & prices page for how this may affect the cost of the book.

Ideally, we would ask you to send high resolution digital copies by email so that we have the best quality pictures possible in the book.

You can also send copies of documents, certificates etc. if you want different images to illustrate your stories.

You can also send photographs to us by post. However, if you do this, we would recommend you either send copies or use a service such as recorded delivery for any precious originals.

Once we have any photographs and documents, Carolyn’s husband Huw will scan your images before returning them by recorded delivery.

Huw can also enhance photos if possible. Sometimes old pictures can be brightened up, unwanted background cropped out and blemishes touched up so the images in your book really come to life.

Final version

You will have a chance to make any extra changes or additions after you receive the proof copy.

Once you are happy with the text and the pictures, we will then produce the final version of your unique family memoir.

You will automatically get two copies of your book but you can order as many other copies as you want – either immediately or at a later date.

We will only charge the production costs and post & packaging for these.

Helping hand

If you would prefer to write your own memoirs, this service is designed to help you with both the inspiration and the motivation that’s necessary.

This is a flexible option designed on an individual basis to meet your requirements and takes the form of hour-long video or phone calls.

Areas of guidance include the following:

• Advice on how to get started and break the task down into manageable sections

• A regular chat to help keep you on track and give you ideas for the following chapters

• Proof-reading and editing, with advice on draft and finished versions.

Cost: £25 per hour