Services & pricing
A short digital story or a fuller story to hold in your hands. Guided conversations, writing and page design included. Prices in US dollars.
One Hour Story
US$88
For one event, relationship or turning point, told in a short digital book.
- Up to 60 minutes by phone OR seven days of guided text chat
- 1,000–1,500 English words or 1,800–2,500 Chinese characters
- 6–10 designed pages
- Up to 10 photographs
- Help with the title and cover
- One final language and a reading PDF
- Two consolidated revision rounds
Upgrade to Signature Story within 30 days of delivery and the amount you paid for One Hour Story, up to US$88, is credited.
Keepsake Story
US$200
More room for a meaningful chapter of life, with a book to keep or give to family.
- A short story plan and tailored interview questions
- Up to 90 minutes by phone, in one or two sessions, OR seven days of guided text chat
- 2,500–3,500 English words or 4,000–6,000 Chinese characters
- 24–40 designed pages, according to the story and photographs
- Up to 30 photographs with captions
- A title, cover design and arranged interior
- One final language and a reading PDF
- Two consolidated revision rounds and a final print proof
- One standard hardcover with a printed cover
You approve the complete proof before printing. Production and shipping estimates are confirmed for your book and destination.
For a longer memoir
Signature Story
US$750
For a move, relationship, career or another part of a life that needs several interviews.
- Story plan and chapter outline
- Up to 4 hours of guided interviews; written sharing can be arranged
- 8,000–12,000 edited words
- 60–80 full-colour designed pages
- Up to 30 photographs
- Custom cover and interior design
- Copies of the interview recordings, if you agree to record them
- Reading PDF, print-ready PDF, ePub and editable DOCX
- Two revision rounds
- One clothbound hardcover with a full-colour interior
- Choice of cloth, foil and endpaper from the included options
Custom Memoir
By consultation
For a whole autobiography, family history, business story or bilingual book.
- I plan the interviews with everyone who will take part.
- The length and chapters depend on the material you share.
- I work from your photographs, letters and family records.
- Choose the binding, materials and presentation.
Before you order
Printing & delivery
One Hour Story is digital only. Keepsake Story includes one standard hardcover with a printed cover. Signature Story includes one clothbound hardcover with a full-colour interior and a choice of the included cloth, foil and endpaper options. Keepsake Story: Standard shipping is included to non-remote addresses in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy. Other destinations, remote areas, offshore islands and overseas territories: contact us before ordering. Signature Story shipping is quoted separately. Applicable import duties and taxes are additional. Extra copies and upgraded materials are quoted separately. Printing starts after proof approval; production and shipping estimates depend on the specification, destination and carrier.
Phone or text chat
For One Hour Story and Keepsake Story, choose the included phone interview time or seven calendar days of guided text chat from an agreed start date. Chat is asynchronous: send memories when it suits you, and I’ll reply with follow-up questions. The story length and photo allowance stay the same.
Photographs & page design
Photo sizes and placement are arranged to suit the story; several photographs may share a page.
Languages & extra work
Each service includes one final language. One Hour Story and Keepsake Story cover one storyteller in English or Chinese; the stated word or character count applies to the chosen language. Translation, additional storytellers or interviews, research, substantial photo restoration and extra revision rounds are priced separately and agreed before the extra work begins.
Your approval before printing
You review the manuscript, names, photographs and complete page proof before the book goes to print.