Speak your life story, and we'll make history together

Life story writing and memoir writing in and around Greater Manchester

Write your memoir with life story writing from Elephant Memoirs

My parents and grandparents all died when I was in my 20s. 

I’d always meant to write their stories down, even though I’d heard them so many times. But I never got the chance.

Younger generations always think they’ll be impossible to forget. But I know that first-hand to be wrong. 

No matter how many times we hear the same stories, our memories inevitably fail. We’re left with only shadows of the people who once were. 

That’s why I created Elephant Memoirs. 

I want to record your life in print, so it’ll always be there for future generations.

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren want to know where they came from and what makes them who they are. Future family historians will be curious about mundane details of things you now take for granted. 

An Elephant Memoirs books will be like gold dust for them.

I don’t believe only the rich and famous should have a biography or a memoir. We all have interesting stories to tell, no matter how ordinary we feel our lives have been.

Joss Carpreau life story writer as a child in her memoir
Old man looking to the sky wanting to write his life story

How I write your life story

1. Writing your story timeline

During your free first session, I visit your home (or speak over video chat) and we can spend some time to get to know each other. We’ll discuss your motivation, vision and budget, so I can create a map of your story. If you feel like we’re a good match, you can decide whether or not you want to continue with your book, but you’re under no obligation to do so.

joss carpreau interviewing a client for their life story memoir

2. Face-to-face interviews

I’ll visit you (or Skype you) regularly every week or two for our informal conversations. I audio record the interview so that I can authentically capture your voice. During the interviews, I also make copies of any photographs you want to be included in your story. At the end of our meeting I let you know what we’ll be chatting about next time, and give you a notebook to write down any ideas you get.

3. Writing and editing your story

I begin writing your book in between our sessions, and show you how it’s progressing at certain key points. Many of my clients feel that hearing their own words and sentences read back to them gives them confidence, especially when they haven’t written a word in years. Then I add the pictures, design the cover, and proof read the book.

Elephant Memoirs author Joss Carpreau writing a memoir for a client
Elephant Memoirs book 'Wartime Memories' with author Betty Walker being delivered by Joss Carpreau

4. Printing and delivering your story

Once I’ve put all my skill and expertise into your story, I mail it to the printers. They’ll send me a single proof, which I show you to ensure you’re totally happy with everything. After that, I send the final version to the printers, and they print as many copies as you ordered. Finally, the exciting day arrives. I hand deliver a beautifully bound copy of your life story in a presentation box, along with your copies for friends and family.

What do the books look like?

(Click the circles to learn more about them)

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