Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs answer common questions about our professional memoir writing and family history services, including our process, timeline, and what to expect.

How much does a family history book or memoir cost?

The type of investment in hiring someone to write your memoirs or produce a family history book is measured in the tens of thousands of dollars, starting around $35,000 and easily reaching $70,000 or more. Corporate histories tend to be at top of this range and beyond.

We STRONGLY encourage potential clients who are having trouble deciding how to proceed to at least conduct the interviews. This way, should something happen to older/frailer family members, the information will have been be captured.

Must the interviews be conducted in person?

Our strong preference is in person. However, younger subjects who know how to use zoom without help can be interviewed remotely. Travel is not the main driver of cost in these projects and in-person interviews produce a better end result.

What is the process like?

Most people find the process very enjoyable. Life reminiscence work is a powerful experience and narrating your story is a meaningful exercise with benefits for the storyteller and the family members who will receive it. The interviews are usually conducted in the client's home. Each interview lasts about 1.5 hours. Time permitting, it's possible to do several interview sessions a day.

How much time will the process take?

This depends on the project and the family's availability. A large family needing many hours of research and multiple interviews with various family members will take much longer than a customer who wishes to write his or her own memoirs. It is not uncommon for book projects to last from at least six months to a year or more.

How do I hire a ghostwriter to write my grandfather's (or whoever's) life story?

Memoirs & More provides custom, bespoke services. The first step is to reach out by phone or email and have a discussion about exactly what it is you are trying to accomplish. We'll discuss how many interviews might be needed, whether complementary research is needed, and so on. Once we determine that, you will receive a written quote for the project.

What are the interviews like?

The interviews are structured around a series of questions meant to get you talking about the subjects you want in the book. The interviews are very conversational and enjoyable. You have final say in what does and doesn't go in the book, so if you say something in the interview you don't want in the book, that is easy to accomplish.

What other services do you offer?

All of the products we develop for clients are custom projects. From having a family tree made, to recording oral histories, to creating a full scale family history book project, there are lot of options, including video.

Why bother with a personal history / memoir project?

Personal history projects are a way to pass on your family's history and legacy to future generations. While it may not sound important to you now, family history books become very meaningful as younger family members grow up and older members disappear.

The following video, produced by the former Association of Personal Historians, explains why you should bother with your personal history, and how the process works.

Do you travel to your clients?

Yes. Although based in Philadelphia, PA, Memoirs & More works with families all over the country. Ideally interviews are in person, but remote interviews on the phone or via video platforms like Zoom are possible.