Are you writing a memoir that’s been put on hold?

Our writers, editors, designers and project managers are specialised in helping people at each stage of the creative process. So, we asked them for their best advice on how to transform your story from a concept into reality.

If you’re just starting out

If you have extensive archives and a great talent for organisation, skip to the next section! If not, don’t stress – memories and reflections are probably more important than physical research.

Often people consider their stories to be mundane or irrelevant when they are actually fascinating. Sometimes all it takes is an outside perspective to help you realise what you have. If you’re not sure where to start, consider bringing your story to someone else and seeing how they respond. Engaging with another point of view can help you to formulate new questions and ideas that you may never have considered.

Talk with other people who are connected to your story. Do they remember things the same way as you? Analyse details, ask questions, corroborate – you might get a bit lost in what you find, but that’s OK. This process is about generating, and there’s no wrong way to go about it.

If you’re considering a ghostwriter

Clients are often concerned that engaging a ghostwriter will mean that the project’s voice won’t sound authentic to them, but this doesn’t have to be the case. We put a lot of thought into matching the right client with the right writer. Most of our writers have been with us for a long time, and we know their style, adaptability and skills. Before we present you with a list of people who may be suitable for your project, we filter carefully through the options to ensure you will find the best fit. We are also available to help guide both parties throughout the writing process, ensuring that everything remains on track and that the project consistently aligns with your vision.

Our writers have the capacity to conduct in-depth interviews, asking questions that get to the heart of the story and draw out buried memories. They are also able to travel for research purposes. We foster a strong relationship between subject and author because we believe it is critical for effective collaboration and producing an excellent result.

A ghostwriter can be an invaluable tool in weaving the threads of your story together. In the case of one autobiography that we published, our writer used her invaluable journalism skills to verify some of the details that our client was unsure about, particularly around events that occurred when he was very young. Throughout that process, the writer uncovered some new and fascinating aspects of the client’s story by looking through public records, including at The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The writer’s research added a layer of depth and detail that turned an already engaging story into a complete book.

If you have a manuscript, but you need an editor

For first-time writers, it can be hard to know why you’re writing – we call this the ‘so what’. Think of it as the heart of the story, the thematic throughline that threads the beginning, middle and end of the story together. When you start writing without a cohesive plan, it can be easy to go off on tangents and bury the ‘so what’ in extraneous facts and superfluous detail. This is why writers need editors. A good editor will help you distil the ‘so what’ and clear away the noise, making the story easier to follow and more engaging for the reader. While many writers start the process thinking that they don’t have enough content, producing a good book is often more about deciding what to leave out.

Sometimes people write their memoirs for catharsis or therapy, which can be a challenging process. Our editors are trained in recognising when an author needs encouragement to look deeper into some of the more difficult aspects of their story, and helping them make sense of it all. It is always important to consider what you want the reader to be thinking and feeling when they read your story, and what you want them to remember after they reach the final page.

If your book is ready to meet a designer

If you’re at this stage, then you have already come a long way in the process. You have a finished manuscript, and you are ready to see it transform into a real book. However, handing over the reins to someone else can be scary. Design will be the first thing that people notice about your book, and it’s understandable to be anxious about wanting to make the right impression. A good designer is detail-oriented. They will ask questions and get involved with your story. Our designers are passionate about the stories they design for; they have the creative and technical skills to make your story into something touchable, readable, and real.

Foster a relationship with your designer based on open communication, where both parties can make changes and suggestions. Let your designer focus on things like margins and gutters, DPI and embedded fonts, and trust them to prepare a perfect file for the printer. That way, you can focus on other aspects of your book.

If your book is finished, and you need guidance on printing options

Today, there are so many printing options available that things can get a bit overwhelming. You might be confused about navigating prices and delivery times. This is where our project managers come in handy. They know how to get quotes for you, do file checks, arrange press scheduling and more.

At this stage, your story transitions from a series of files into a physical object. To achieve the most successful result, each step prior to the last must be completed effectively. Check everything multiple times and don’t skip steps. Most importantly, break the process down into stages: manuscript, editing, design, proofing and printing. By doing this, you ensure that everything runs smoothly and that you will be happy with the final product.

No matter what stage of the process you’re at, we can help, so don’t hesitate to get in touch!