GIFT MEMOIR

Give the gift of a lifetime.

This year, skip the sweater or the fuzzy slippers and go big with a professionally written life story in a beautiful hardcover book. We interview your loved one, help them organize and scan their photos, and put it all in a book that will be passed down for generations.

What is a gift memoir?

A gift memoir is a book about someone’s life, written by a professional ghostwriter and given as a gift, typically by an adult child to a parent or grandparent, by a spouse, or by a group of family members marking a milestone occasion.

The finished book is written in the subject’s own voice, drawn from recorded interviews, photographs, and family documents. It sometimes includes the memories of people who know and love them.

How does the process work?

We’ve honed our process over two decades to ensure that the experience of creating a memoir is as satisfying as the final book. Our authors frequently find the memoir-writing process deeply moving.

We interview your loved one over several sessions, either in person, by phone, or over Zoom. Many subjects tell us that the interview process alone was one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives.
We create an outline and a sample chapter, pausing to gather your and your loved one’s feedback to ensure we’ve perfectly captured their content and voice.
Once we have approval, we write the rest of the book.
The author and family then edit the manuscript. Often, there’s a bit of back-and-forth and several more interviews to ensure that everything is perfect and that we haven’t missed a story.
Once the manuscript is set, we help with the photo curation and, if needed, digitization.
Our designers then create design options for you to choose from. You’ll choose your bespoke details such as size, typeface, cover (linen, leather, embossing, etc). You’ll also decide if you want extras such as ribbon placeholders, foil, family trees, slip covers, and illustrations.
We print your bespoke book and deliver it to you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gifting a Memoir

What makes a gift memoir different than a photo book?

Photo books are lovely. They beautifully document what someone's life looked like. A memoir goes deeper to capture what their life felt like: the decisions, the uncertainties, the moments of joy and loss and hard-won wisdom that don't show up in photographs.

When should I commission a gift memoir?

We can prepare and deliver a beautiful welcome package for your loved one that explains the project you're gifting them in just two weeks. However, if you have a milestone occasion in mind — a significant birthday, an anniversary, a family reunion — for which you want to present a finished book, we recommend starting the conversation at least nine months in advance. One year is ideal. A full-length memoir typically takes nine to twelve months from blank page to finished book, depending on the scope of the project and how quickly we can complete the interview phase. That said, we can sometimes rush projects if we have availability and the scope is smaller.

Can the memoir be a surprise?

Yes. We've helped many families plan exactly that. The best surprises are tribute books made up of material gathered from the recipient's friends and family. But we can also send you a welcome package to deliver to your loved one, explaining the project, how it will work, and what the eventual outcome will be — a beautiful book of their life, told in their voice.

What if the recipient is reluctant to tell their story?

One of the most common sentiments we hear is that their life is "just not that interesting," and it's never true. Most people who believe their life isn't worth a book have simply never had anyone ask the right questions. In fact, the best stories often come from reluctant storytellers, who tend to feel deeply. That being said, if your loved one truly doesn’t want to participate, we will fully refund your deposit minus bank fees and a small administrative charge.

What if my parent has memory loss or health challenges?

We have experience working with authors who have memory challenges, limited mobility, or health conditions that affect stamina. We adapt the interview process accordingly, with shorter sessions, more flexible scheduling, and a gentler pace. In some cases, we supplement the subject's own recollections with interviews of family members who can fill in the gaps. Please mention any health considerations when we speak, and we'll talk through how to approach the project with care.

Do they have to be local to the Philadelphia area?

No. Main Line Memoir works with clients and subjects across the country and internationally. Interviews can be conducted via video call, and the full project can be completed remotely. In some cases, our writers can also travel to meet your loved one where they are.

What does it cost?

Each project is truly individual, so please give us a call to discuss your vision. That said, the typical investment starts at $7,500 for a smaller book and can reach over $100,000 for large projects. Our typical gift books are $20,000 to $25,000 for a 90- to 160-page book with a linen binding and 30 to 40 professionally retouched images.