Life Story

How it works

They talk. We do everything else.

Here is the whole journey: what your loved one does (talk), what you do (read, add your edits, and approve), and what we do (everything in between). No writing, no homework, no apps to learn. And if the book is for yourself, it works exactly the same.

From the first conversation to the printed book in their hands, the whole journey takes a few weeks.

Start their bookQuestions? WhatsApp us
Nehemia kisses Adina's head on their sofa, each holding a copy of their printed couple's book.
A happy couple with their printed couples book.

The four phases of every Life Story book

The interviews, the writing, your review and edits, then print and delivery. Under each one, we've spelled out exactly who does what, because "what do I actually have to do?" is the question every family asks us first.

The interviews

A professional interviewer, and a few good conversations

After completing payment and filling out the questionnaire, you and the recipient will receive an email with the entire Life Story process explained. We will then arrange a time that works best for the first interview.

They need to be able to join a Zoom video call that will last around five hours in total, split into several sessions. The interviewer guides with questions and allows the memories to flow. We send the link before each session, and one tap opens the call, with nothing to install and nothing to set up. If they can answer a video call, they are ready.

Six real Life Story interviews in progress, Danny Zach first, storytellers on video calls from their own homes.
Real interviews, from their own homes.
Danny Zach at his desk during his Life Story video interview.
Life story interview in process.
You do

Pick the interview times with us.

They do

Enjoy a pleasant and meaningful conversation about their life.

We do

We guide the conversation with questions and cue their memories.

The writing

Their story, in their own voice

After completing all the interviews, our writing technology composes their story just as if it were coming from their lips. Their turns of phrase, their humour, and their unique tone. It sounds just like them.

Humans do the interviewing and the listening. The writing engine does the typing. And human eyes review the draft before you ever see it.

The Truth Guarantee

Every line in the book comes from their own words. Nothing is invented. Nothing is embellished.

From the finished book

The bakery opened before sunrise, and those quiet hours were the ones I loved best. The whole street was still asleep, and the ovens were already warm. The smell of bread told the neighbourhood it was morning before any clock did.

From the transcript

  • "We used to open the bakery very early, before the sun came up."
  • "I liked that time. The quiet, you know. That was the best part of the day for me."
  • "Nobody in the street yet, everyone sleeping, and the ovens on already, warm."
  • "That smell of the bread, that was the morning for us. You didn't need a clock."
An illustrative sample, written for this demonstration. It is not taken from any client's book.
You do

Nothing. We'll message you the moment the draft is ready.

They do

Their part is basically done. They can simply look forward to it.

We do

Turn the conversations into a finished book.

Your review

You can review and edit every page

You receive the complete draft of the entire book in an online document. You can make any edits, such as softening a line, cutting a story they'd rather keep private, or adding the details only your family remembers.

Edit as much as you like, as often as you like. The recommended time for completing all changes is one month. This is also when you upload the photos you love, and we place them into the book for you.

Nothing goes to the printer until you've approved every page.

Your draft · the document you edit

The bakery opened before sunrise, and those quiet hours were the ones I loved best. The whole street was still asleep, and the ovens were already warm.

Illustrative sample. The draft opens as a real document, every chapter, every page.
You do

Read the draft, add your edits, upload your photos, then approve.

They do

Read along if they'd like to. Many storytellers love this part.

We do

Embed your photos into the book, and support you through the process until the book is ready.

Print and delivery

A printed book, in their hands

Once you approve, we design the cover and the page layout, and print your beautifully written book as a softcover edition. Your first printed copy is already included.

Want more copies, one for each child, grandchild, or family member? You choose and pay for the number of copies you want when you approve the book.

The whole journey, from the first interview to the delivered book, takes a few weeks, door to door.

Maja reading her own printed Life Story book.
A happy customer reading their Life Story memoir.
You do

Choose how many extra copies the family wants.

They do

Receive the most meaningful gift they will ever get.

We do

Page layout, cover design, printing, and delivery.

Their stories are ready when you are.

Start their bookWhatsApp us

What it costs. Two ways to start.

The service is $1,000.

Everything above is included. The interviews, the writing, the editing, the design, and the first printed copy of the book. Pay in full to start straight away, or reserve with a $150 deposit. The deposit secures a video call with our team to walk you through the process. The balance is due right after, if you decide to proceed. If not, you will get your deposit back. (For a couple's book the service is $1,500, and everything else works the same.)

Extra copies are $10–$45 each.

Paid just before we print, with delivery included. Once you've approved every page, you choose how many more copies the family wants (e.g., one for each child, grandchild, family member, friend) and pay only for what you order. We give you the exact quote when you approve the book.

Pay in full and start nowReserve with a $150 deposit

More questions? Read the full FAQ, or WhatsApp us. We answer straight away.

Their stories are ready when you are.

We take on a limited number of new books each month, so every family gets a dedicated interviewer from the first conversation to the finished book. When a month is full, we'll offer you the next one.

Start their bookQuestions first? WhatsApp us

Pay in full, or reserve with a $150 deposit. We'll plan the book together on a video call before you pay the rest.

Marta Fagundo, Senior Director of Writing.

Marta Fagundo, Senior Director of Writing