Answers to Your Questions

Q: Do you work with clients long-distance or remotely, or do I need to live near you?

A: Because your life story deserves the utmost care and attention, our collaboration will take place in person. For this reason, I work with clients primarily in Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Q: Will Chapters to Life help me to write my biography, a memoir, or a personal history? What is the difference?

A: A biography is an objective, factual account of the details of someone's life that typically spans a lifetime, from birth onward. It is often told chronologically. A memoir is a more subjective telling of the author's own memories and may cover a limited period of time or a particular theme — a slice of life. A personal history can be either of these and more: a tribute, a life story, an autobiography, an oral history. The story Chapters to Life will tell in your printed book and audio file, primarily in your own words, falls most closely under the definition of a personal history.

Q: Will Chapters to Life look up my ancestors and include their stories in my book?

A: Research on ancestors and family trees is another specialty, that of genealogy. Chapters to Life is more focused on you and your story, and although your immediate family — grandparents, parents, siblings and children — will likely be a part of your account, you and your experiences are at the center of your story. 

Q: I have heard that I can write my life story using a service that emails me questions that I can just answer. That sounds really simple. Is Chapters to Life a better option?

A: Questions emailed to you are likely to be somewhat generic, since they are sent to all customers. They, and the finished product, may be AI-generated. Chapters to Life is a more personal, customized, dynamic experience. I will adapt the questions I ask according to your experiences and stated priorities, we will meet in person to draw out your story, and we will follow where the conversation leads us to capture what you want to say. Other services may simply copy your responses into book form and call it a day. I will organize and edit them, add connective verbiage for coherence and flow, and arrange what you say into a continuous narrative. You will also receive an audio file of your responses, so your stories can be shared in your own voice.

Q: Is there a limit to how many pages my life story can be? How many photos can I include?

A: The flat fee includes a book of up to 150 pages (75 pages front and back) and up to 15 photos. If you would like to include more pages and/or photos, and the additional production time is available, the fee will be adjusted accordingly with your approval.

Q: Can I see a sample of the resulting printed book?

A: Yes, I can show you a sample when we meet for our complimentary preliminary consultation.  

Q: What is the process, and how long will it take?

A: It typically takes about 8 weeks to get your story to the printer, and another 10 days to 2 weeks for delivery of your finished book. The production process is detailed here.

Q: My story is so personal. Can I tell my story and still protect my privacy?  

A: Your story is copyrighted under your name and is yours to share — or not — as you would like. No part of it will be published or publicized without your express permission. In addition, Chapters to Life provides a signed, binding confidentiality agreement to further ensure that your story stays with you.