Q. How long will it take?

A. There are many variables, of course, and most of them are up to you. In general, plan on about six to twelve months from our first consultation to receiving your book. If you need your book in a hurry, we can expedite your project from beginning to end—just say the word.

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Q. What will my book look like?

A. Flip through the pages of our samples, which can be used as a template for your Life History or Institutional History. 

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Q. How much input do I get? Can I make changes at any point?

A. You can make changes at nearly every point. Your manuscript will go through several drafts to incorporate your corrections and suggestions. After that, you will approve page proofs (showing all elements—text, images, headlines, captions—in place), which gives you another opportunity to see exactly how each page of your book will look. By the time your memoir or family history goes to the printer, you will have seen and approved it every step of the way.

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Q. Can my book include images other than photos?

A. Absolutely! Your book's design can accommodate any images that are significant to your story: handwritten letters, recipe cards, marriage certificates, diplomas, ship manifests, and census records. We can research images you don’t own and arrange to get permission to use them. And we can create images for you as needed: a family tree or a map of your hometown, for example.
 

Q. How does my book get printed?

A. We have excellent working relationships with several small, U.S.-based printers and binderies, all of whom take great pride in their craft. Remarkable Life Memoirs handles every detail, ensuring that your book—from color correction to delivery—is exactly as you want it. You can learn more about how our printing process brings your book to life.

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Q. Who owns the rights to my book? What about my photos?

A. You do! In fact, we provide you with a digital version of all of your improved photographs at no extra charge, after your book is complete, to use as you wish in the future. 

Q. How much does it cost?

A. Depending on your choices—the number of interview hours, the number of photographs, the type of binding, the number of copies, and so on—creating a custom-made memoir or family history can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $25,000 and up. It’s like planning a significant family vacation: The price tag depends on where you want to go and what you do when you get there.

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Let’s begin the conversation, with no obligation. After we learn what’s most important to you, we’ll provide a proposal that shows what your project will cost, broken down every step of the way. We welcome your input in shaping that proposal further, so that your finished memoir is a true realization of your vision.