HOW MUCH WILL A LIFE STORY BOOK COST? It depends on how much you want written and your choice of book. A 20 - 30 page hardcover book with around 1,500 words and approx 20 images created from as 2-hour interview will be from $400 upwards. A 60 page book with linen cover and wraparound dust jacket, will cost around $1,500. A 300-page book will cost from $4000.
HOW WILL MY LIFE STORY BE RECORDED AND PRODUCED? A pre-interview questionnaire is sent out to help prompt memories. Then at the interview we discuss what the person wants included in their book, including images which are scanned in their home. Rebecca shows examples of different books to choose from and gives ideas on the structure of the story. A video recording can also be taken. She then goes away and writes the first draft which is then checked by the client and any alterations made. The client then signs off on the final script before the book is designed and produced.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? Depending on what is to be included, the interview can take from several hours to several sessions. For the most popular 60-page book, four or five hours is all that is needed for the interview and image scanning. The first draft is produced in a couple of weeks and the book can be in your hands within 8 to 12 weeks.
DO I HAVE CONTROL OVER WHAT IS IN THE BOOK? Absolutely! You get to read and make corrections if you wish to the draft copy before the book is designed and goes to the printers.
CAN I CHOOSE THE TYPE AND STYLE OF BOOK I WANT? There are a selection of books to suit all budgets – some come with their own boxes and video, some have padded covers, some hardcovers with dust covers.
CAN I GET MORE THAN ONE COPY OF MY BOOK? Yes, you can have as many copies as you wish and the cost per book is between $40 and $100 depending on the style chosen.
WHY DO I NEED TO DO THIS NOW? People usually say they’ll “get to” this type of project eventually. But often, they don’t begin to think about it until it’s too late. Someone unexpectedly falls ill. Memories quickly start to fade with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
CAN I LINK IT TO A SPECIAL OCCASION? Yes! It's a great idea to link a life story book with a milestone birthday, a special anniversary, a family reunion—some happy occasion if you can—that gives you both the incentive and deadline to get it done . It’s great to link a ceremony with a life story – a wonderful way of officially recognising the person and their links with new generations of their family. As a civil celebrant Rebecca can organise a This Is Your Life ceremony for you too.
SHOULD I HAVE A VIDEO RECORDING? The option of having a copy of the video recording of the interview means family members in the future get the chance to see and hear their relative speak. The video can be stored at the back of the printed book, so offers an adjunct to the book. There is an additional charge if this is required. However, some interviewees are very frail and do not wish to be remembered in this way.
WHY CAN'T PEOPLE RECORD THEIR LIFE STORIES THEMSELVES? They can but for many it’s a daunting task. It takes much time and emotional energy and it’s so easy to get overwhelmed, many people don’t even begin. For family members, sometimes it’s difficult for them to act as the interviewer, and many people open up more easily to someone professional they do not know who has had much experience in the interviewing process.
REBECCA SKINNER, Editor and Author
Celebrating Life's Chapters
E: [email protected]
P: 0401 808 335
Covering Sydney, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, Central Coast, Tamworth regions and more..
HOW WILL MY LIFE STORY BE RECORDED AND PRODUCED? A pre-interview questionnaire is sent out to help prompt memories. Then at the interview we discuss what the person wants included in their book, including images which are scanned in their home. Rebecca shows examples of different books to choose from and gives ideas on the structure of the story. A video recording can also be taken. She then goes away and writes the first draft which is then checked by the client and any alterations made. The client then signs off on the final script before the book is designed and produced.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? Depending on what is to be included, the interview can take from several hours to several sessions. For the most popular 60-page book, four or five hours is all that is needed for the interview and image scanning. The first draft is produced in a couple of weeks and the book can be in your hands within 8 to 12 weeks.
DO I HAVE CONTROL OVER WHAT IS IN THE BOOK? Absolutely! You get to read and make corrections if you wish to the draft copy before the book is designed and goes to the printers.
CAN I CHOOSE THE TYPE AND STYLE OF BOOK I WANT? There are a selection of books to suit all budgets – some come with their own boxes and video, some have padded covers, some hardcovers with dust covers.
CAN I GET MORE THAN ONE COPY OF MY BOOK? Yes, you can have as many copies as you wish and the cost per book is between $40 and $100 depending on the style chosen.
WHY DO I NEED TO DO THIS NOW? People usually say they’ll “get to” this type of project eventually. But often, they don’t begin to think about it until it’s too late. Someone unexpectedly falls ill. Memories quickly start to fade with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
CAN I LINK IT TO A SPECIAL OCCASION? Yes! It's a great idea to link a life story book with a milestone birthday, a special anniversary, a family reunion—some happy occasion if you can—that gives you both the incentive and deadline to get it done . It’s great to link a ceremony with a life story – a wonderful way of officially recognising the person and their links with new generations of their family. As a civil celebrant Rebecca can organise a This Is Your Life ceremony for you too.
SHOULD I HAVE A VIDEO RECORDING? The option of having a copy of the video recording of the interview means family members in the future get the chance to see and hear their relative speak. The video can be stored at the back of the printed book, so offers an adjunct to the book. There is an additional charge if this is required. However, some interviewees are very frail and do not wish to be remembered in this way.
WHY CAN'T PEOPLE RECORD THEIR LIFE STORIES THEMSELVES? They can but for many it’s a daunting task. It takes much time and emotional energy and it’s so easy to get overwhelmed, many people don’t even begin. For family members, sometimes it’s difficult for them to act as the interviewer, and many people open up more easily to someone professional they do not know who has had much experience in the interviewing process.
REBECCA SKINNER, Editor and Author
Celebrating Life's Chapters
E: [email protected]
P: 0401 808 335
Covering Sydney, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, Central Coast, Tamworth regions and more..
