Frequently Asked Questions about Memoir Projects
How does the memoir process work?
Once you have signed a contract, you’ll meet with Nancy in person or by phone for approximately 6-10 hours of interview time, which can be divided up and scheduled at your convenience. After the interviews have been completed, it will take about 6-8 weeks to draft your memoir. You’ll receive a first draft and have the chance to make revisions and amendments. Once you submit your edits, it will take another 3-4 weeks to finalize the manuscript.
What kinds of questions will be asked during the interviews?
Interviews are informal, free-ranging, and fun. The process typically begins with sketching out a general timeline of your life thus far, followed by a close look at specific segments of your life. This is your story as you choose to tell it, and it is up to you what to include and what to leave out!
May I include photos or other art in my memoir?
You may provide up to 24 snapshots or other images to be placed within the manuscript. You will have the choice of whether the interior of your book is black-and-white or full-color; the choice will not affect your project fee but will affect the price of per-unit copies of the book. See “How can I (or my family and friends) get additional books?” section for more information.
What will my book cover look like?
Included in your project fee is a custom-designed book cover created by a professional graphic designer who will work with you to capture the feel of your story. You may wish to have a professional photographic portrait taken for the book cover, or you may choose to use a favorite snapshot.
How long does the whole process take?
The time span from the signing of the contract until the book is printed is typically around six months, depending on your availability for interviews.
What will I have at the end of the process?
You’ll have a memoir of approximately 85-150 pages, printed and bound in paperback with an attractively designed full-color cover. The project fee also includes either ten printed paperback copies of your book if you choose a black-and-white interior or six copies if you choose a full-color interior.
What is the fee structure?
The project fee for a basic memoir project starts at $4,000. This includes manuscript drafting and formatting for a book of approximately 85-150 pages, one round of revisions, cover design, placement of up to 24 photos, printing costs, and either six (for full-color) or ten (for black-and-white) paperback copies of the book. Longer books may accrue additional fees, based on their page count.
How can I (or my family and friends) get additional books?
Beyond the copies included in your project fee, you may order books in any quantity you choose (and at any time) at the book’s regular printing price. Printing price is typically $12 - $15 for a black-and-white interior or $18-$21 for a full-color interior, depending on the length of the book.
Will my book be purchasable on line?
Yes, all memoirs published by Nancy are listed on Amazon.com and can be ordered for purchase just as any other Amazon item would be. You may also choose not to have your memoir available through Amazon.
Will you interview anyone else for my memoir?
Some memoir subjects opt to add “tributes,” in which their loved ones are invited to be interviewed by Nancy about the influence that the memoir subject has had on them. Examples of people you might wish to include for “tributes” are your children, grandchildren, longtime colleagues or closest friends. If you choose to do this, Nancy will set up interviews (usually by phone) with the people you designate. Tributes usually run approximately 1-3 pages each.
Want to know more? Contact Nancy at (978) 399-4691 or [email protected] for a free consultation to discuss your memoir project.
Want to know more? Click here to schedule a free consultation with Nancy to discuss your memoir project.