Are you offering your services during the Covid-19 lockdown?
We are still editing and designing books as usual.
The only service we cannot offer is a face-to-face interview.
However, there are many options available for video interviews including Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. We can use any medium which you feel most comfortable with.
Also, you may not want to send precious photos through the post. If this is the case, and you don’t have facilities to scan photos, then we can work on the text during the lockdown and scan the photos after some normality returns.
The book is for our family’s eyes only. How can we ensure the contents of the book remain private?
You can decide if the book is in the public domain or remains private. The book can be made available for extended family and friends to buy. Or you can decide that the book can only be seen by people you decide to invite. It’s up to you. Tell us your preference and we’ll make it happen.
We have already recorded an interview with the subject of the autobiography. Can we use this for the book (and save money)?
The packages quoted on the pricing page are for an all-inclusive service. Not everyone requires a full service. The prices in the packages reflect the amount of time we spend on creating the book.
Maybe you have a transcription that just needs to be designed as a book or perhaps you have already scanned in the photos you wish to use. Either way, it will save us time in preparing the book, and this means we can offer a discount on the price.
Please email us and we can discuss what level of service you need.
Rather than parting with valuable pictures, can we scan them ourselves?
Definitely. Though be aware that that photos printed in a book need to be a higher resolution than those on a website or on social media. The ideal resolution for print is 300 dpi (dots per inch). If in doubt, scan photos at the highest quality setting you can. You can always email for advice or to check picture quality.
As the photos will be large, they may be too big to send by email. You can send large numbers of high resolution images by going to wetransfer.com.
Will two interviews be enough to create an in-depth autobiography?
In our experience, two interviews of 3.5 hours each (or 7 hours of shorter interviews) generate enough copy for an informative and rounded book.
Of course, if more time is spent on a book, it can go into greater detail and depth. Some biographies take years to produce – though we don’t necessarily recommend this!
But you may want to include stories from friends and family members.
Talk to us about bespoke packages if you wish to go into more depth.
How do we arrange the scanning of photographs – and how are they kept safe?
We understand that family photographs are precious and often irreplaceable. If we are scanning your photographs we take the utmost care.
We prefer to pick up photos by hand and return them afterwards. Sometimes this isn’t possible, in which case we use the Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed service.
Although we do our very best to ensure photographs are returned safely and intact, there is always a risk that something may go wrong, so we do not accept liability for lost or damaged photographs.
If you are worried about this, we would recommend that you arrange scanning the photographs yourself.
But we do stress that we always strive to ensure that your photos are kept safe.
Can I sell my book on Amazon?
Absolutely.
We can help you get your book listed and we will arrange the ISBN (International Standard Book Number), which is required to sell a book.
Please be aware that putting the book in the public domain can create issues if someone feels misrepresented in the text. We can discuss this if you decide to sell to the public.
Why would anyone want to read my story?
This is a question I am often asked.
If someone has lived a fairly ‘normal’ life, they often wonder why their story is worth writing up. It always is.
Your story is so precious to your family and friends.
I know from personal experience that I regretted recording my dad’s life story. I find it strange that there was so much about his life that I never knew.v
Younger generations constantly record their lives on social media platforms or by using the video camera on their phones. But for most of us there is no record of our younger days.
Everyone’s story deserves to be told.
Can payment be spread?
We ask for the invoice to be be paid in two instalments.
50% is payable when commissioning the book. 50% is payable once the text proof has been approved.
If you pay the whole invoice on commissioning, we offer a 5% discount.
What happens if someone is offended by the content or feels misrepresented?
When writing about your life, not everyone will agree with your version of events!
We always stress that an autobiography is based on the views of the author, but others may dispute your recollections.
For this reason, it is safer if the book is not made public and is only made available to the people you wish to see it.
We cannot accept liability for any misrepresentation or libel, as we are simply recording your stories as you relate them then to us.
However, if there are passages we feel may be risky, we will advise you.
It is always worth adding a disclaimer that the book is your version of events, and yours only.