THE PROCESS
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Introductory phone call.
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Interviews.
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Plan and writing sample is produced. Content and style is agreed upon.
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First draft of book.
- First draft goes through
professional proofreading (checking for typos and errors).
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Customer reviews draft, with two redrafting opportunities.
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Client sends photos at any stage .
INTERVIEWS
Online: no extra cost. Usually 1-2 hours per session.
In person: with an additional fee (see below). UK only (international available upon request).
When the interviews are complete, I’ll produce a detailed plan and a writing sample. The plan contains all the main events and details of the story in a summarised form, along with the chapter titles, and we can change it according to your specifications. You might want something removed or added, for example, or you might want to change the structure (for example, to start with a flashback). It’s also your first chance to correct names, dates, and other details. The plan is written in bullet points, not full prose; it’s a flexible working document. The writing sample, meanwhile, is an extract of about 1,000 words, and it’s your chance to get the voice and tone of the book right. Reflective? Humourous? A novelistic style, whereby I use more creative licence, or a more simple and journalistic one that stays true to your words? We can tweak the sample until your happy.
Once you’ve made your corrections and changes to the plan, and you’re happy with the style, I’ll write the draft. The draft is written in full prose, and it’s the book itself. When it’s finished, the draft is checked by a professional proofreader (all manuscripts have a few typos that need finding and fixing), and is then sent to you. You can then make two rounds of corrections or changes.
Remember: we only move forward with the writing when you’re happy with the content and style (the plan and the sample). And you have those two rounds of changes to the draft to get everything just right.
As for the photos, you can send them at any stage.
I don’t use AI to write my books, ever. Memoirs require the human touch.
Packages
Concise
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4 hours of interviews
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4 hardback
copies of your book, plus a digital copy
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7,500 words and 20 photos (55-60 pages total)
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£1,200
- In-person fee: £240 for 0-60 miles from London, £360 for 61-150 miles, £480 for 151+
Full
- 6 hours of interviews
- 4 hardback
copies of your book, plus a digital copy
- 12,500 words and 30 photos (80-90 pages total)
- £2,200
- In-person fee: £440 for 0-60 miles from London, £660 for 61-150 miles, £770 for 151+
Extended
- 10 hours of interviews
- 4 hardback
copies of your book, plus a digital copy
- 20,000 words and 40 photos (115-125 pages total)
- £3,700
- In-person fee: £370 for 0-60 miles from London, £740 for 61-150 miles, £925 for 151+
Fantastic service from beginning to end. We bought this as a present for my mum and she loved the Zoom interviews with Barnaby, who captured her tone of voice and story perfectly. He was great!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Julie, Hampshire
I got a quick response to all my emails. Seeing the book coming alive was very exciting to watch. It was a great pleasure working with Barnaby; remembering the different decades of my life, all 92 years worth, was a very enjoyable experience. You are included in every decision, from selecting which pictures to add to choosing a title.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Geoff, Nottinghamshire
Just read the book. It's me, isn't it? Thank you so much
for everything!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Lyn, London
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Julie, Hampshire
I got a quick response to all my emails. Seeing the book coming alive was very exciting to watch. It was a great pleasure working with Barnaby; remembering the different decades of my life, all 92 years worth, was a very enjoyable experience. You are included in every decision, from selecting which pictures to add to choosing a title.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Geoff, Nottinghamshire
Just read the book. It's me, isn't it? Thank you so much
for everything!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Lyn, London
- Payments are split into 3. Instalment 1 is due before interviews begin, instalment 2 before the plan and sample are produced, and instalment 3 before the draft is written.
- If you change your mind before interviews begin, the first instalment can be refunded.
- The in-person interview fee must be paid before interviews begin. If you cancel before the interviews, the in-person fee will also be refunded, minus a £100 deposit.
- Extra interviews or more words can be paid for in blocks. We can also negotiate custom lengths and packages.
- Books must be completed within 8 months of the first interview. Extensions after this date made at the writer’s discretion only.
- Payment can be made through bank transfer or cheque.