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Initial Consultation (Are We a Match?)
I meet with you in your home or another convenient location for our initial discussion about your project. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the general goals, breadth, and depth of the life story book you want to create. I ask lots of questions, get to know you a little bit, and help you decide what type of project best fits your needs. A key goal of this meeting is to provide both of us with enough information to decide if we're a good match and should move forward. I work with you to ensure that we embark on the project you want and can afford. There is no charge for this initial consultation. |
2 |
Planning Meeting and Questionnaire
Once we have decided to work together, all agreements have been signed, and you have submitted a down payment (¼ of the full project cost if purchasing a book, ½ if purchasing recordings only), we meet once more to dive deeper into the details of the project, discuss the broad topics and time periods to be included in your book, and develop the schedule for our interviews. I capture as much information as I can during this meeting, but I also leave a questionnaire with you to be returned to me at a later date. This questionnaire serves several purposes. It captures some of the minutiae of your life (names, dates, births, deaths, places lived, job titles, etc.) so that we don’t use precious interview time collecting this level of detail. The questionnaire also includes questions designed to bring forth your memories and help you prioritize which memories to include. Finally, your completed questionnaire gives me enough information to perform some preliminary research prior to our first interview. |
3 |
The Interviews
This phase of the project is where you get to sit back and reminisce. I meet with you in your home, or another location chosen by you, and I listen to your stories. Although I come with questions to guide our discussion, I mostly listen as you bring your memories to life. I record our discussion, preserving the details of our conversation. Each interview typically lasts about 90 minutes. The number of interviews needed depends on the project and can be spread out as appropriate. To maintain momentum, it is best to complete all the interviews within a month. Upon completion of the interviews, you make another payment (¼ of the full project cost). If you have purchased the audio recordings only, I then clean up the recordings (for example, removing material per your request, removing external noise, etc.) and (upon final payment) send you the recording on a flash drive or one or more CDs. |
4 |
Transcription
After completing all the interviews, I transcribe the recordings. |
5 |
The Manuscript
With transcriptions in hand, I review and organize the material, and then begin writing. Using your words, I bring your narrative to life. My goal is to take your stories and craft them into an easy-to-read page turner that will be cherished by you, your children, your grandchildren, your friends, and future generations of your family. After completing the first chapter, I typically send it to you before continuing with subsequent chapters. I want your feedback so we can make any necessary adjustments early in the process. |
6 |
First Draft Review
After completing the first draft of the entire book, I send it to you for your review. This phase of the project is exceedingly important. You need to review the book in detail, making sure names and dates are correct and that the stories are accurate and complete. This is your book and this review is your opportunity to ensure the accuracy of the content. Just as with the interviews, to maintain momentum, it is important that you complete this review in a timely manner. At this point in the project, you make your third payment (¼ of the project cost). |
7 |
Photograph Selection
Throughout the interview process, we discuss photographs you might want to include in the book. After you have completed your review of the first draft, I meet with you to review and help you choose the actual photographs to include. During this meeting, we might also discuss any questions I have about your requested edits to the first draft. |
8 |
Final Draft
I complete your requested edits and write captions for the photographs to be included, then send you the final draft for your final review. |
9 |
Final Review of Manuscript
You complete your final review and sign off on the manuscript, giving me permission to proceed with the book design. This final review is intended to find typos or other mistakes I may have missed. Substantive changes at this stage will incur additional costs. |
10 |
Book Design
Upon receipt of your final review, I make any necessary corrections and then design the book layout. |
11 |
Book Design Review
After completion of the book design, I send a PDF copy of the final design for your review. |
12 |
Book Printing
Upon your approval and final ¼ payment, I send the final design to a print-on-demand publisher and track the creation of your book. (Note that you must also cover the cost of printing your book. Costs vary depending on the size of your book and the number of copies ordered.) |
13 |
Book Delivery and Celebration
Your book arrives! You and your loved ones then sit together and enjoy perusing the story of your life. A wonderful option, which I would be happy to help organize, is to hold a book launch party where we gather with your family to celebrate the completion of the project. You sign books and distribute them to your loved ones. |
Your Story Unfolded - Seattle, Washington - kathy@yourstoryunfolded.com - 206.391.2682
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