Your family memoir – the concept
A beautifully written and printed family history based on stories and memories of you, your parents and relatives. A memoir that preserves the past for your children and grandchildren in print, in the Cloud and on film.
The aim is to celebrate your family history by recording it while memories are (relatively) fresh. Each memoir is based on a combination of face-to-face interviews, pictures and information provided by you and your family, and, in some cases, a short film. The outcome is a permanent reminder of your loved ones, your heritage, and the legacy you have inherited.
There are many reasons to put off this sort of project. But it is a service we launched because so many of our speech writing clients had broken off during personal (and often emotional) face-to-face interviews, to express their sadness that they had left it too late.
Your family memoir
What does Great Speech Writing do when creating a family memoir?
Great Speech Writing conducts face-to-face interviews with you (or your loved ones), reviews photographs and any relevant documentation, and in some cases, produces a short film. We then weave all this into a beautifully crafted memoir that captures your voice, memories and legacy in an authentic, engaging narrative.
Why should I commission Great Speech Writing for my memoir instead of writing it myself?
Working with Great Speech Writing means you benefit from seasoned writers who know how to shape life stories into compelling, coherent narratives. We help you distil your memories into clear themes, ensure your tone feels true to you, and provide structure, freeing you from the emotional and logistical burden of writing it all alone.
How does Great Speech Writing make sure my memoir feels personal and true to my story?
We prioritise your voice. Through in-depth interviews and collaboration, we learn how you speak, what matters to you, and which memories define you. We then reflect that in the writing, carefully selecting moments and detail so your memoir reads like a genuine, first-person story, not a report or summary.
What kind of memoir projects can Great Speech Writing support?
Great Speech Writing specialises in family memoirs: stories you want to leave to your descendants, preserve for future generations or simply share with loved ones. Whether you want a brief legacy piece or a longer life story, we tailor the scope, depth and format to your goals.
Can Great Speech Writing help me present or deliver my memoir, not just write it?
Yes! Once your memoir is written, we can advise on how to present it as a keepsake or speech. Whether you plan to share excerpts at a family gathering or produce a printed or filmed legacy, we help you bring your story to life in the format that suits you best.
Your family memoir – the price
We will quote specifically for your memoir when we understand the logistics involved. Prices range from £1,500+VAT to £3,500+VAT depending on:
– The number of interviews
– The length of the process (and number of pages to write)
– The number of copies required for print
– The option of including a film
We ask you to pay 50% to begin the project and 50% on completion.
Your family memoir – next steps
Please call us on 0207 118 1600 or email to find out more; this will enable us to establish the best process for you, to confirm the budget required, and to send you some questions in advance of the interview process. Typically, this process will take 6-8 weeks from your first call to printing. We can, occasionally, work faster when required.
Your family memoir – why us?
Before embarking on this service, we had written many thousands of speeches for clients around the world. These all require a similar process including outstanding, trustworthy writers to conduct interviews, an understanding of how to write crisp prose that remains true to the subject, and an impeccable record of getting projects finished on time and on budget. We have now transferred those skills to memoir writing, enabling us to create something truly special for you and your family.
Giving a memoir as a gift
This service makes a very special gift. We can provide a ‘voucher’ to be given to your parent, grandparent or other family member at the start of a project. If you wish to create the memoir as a surprise gift for a child or grandchild, we can gift-wrap and arrange for you to inscribe the printed booklets (and film).