WHAT WE DO
We take memories and make them into memorable books for you and your family.
We Listen
If it's time for you to tell your story, then we're here to listen to you. We usually spend twenty hours or more interviewing you. There are no set questions, but rather we have conversations.
We Learn
It’s never too early to start your memoir. We take your favorite stories, recipes, photos and other memorabilia and organize them with you and your family. We also help you digitize your family photographs.
We Find Your Voice
We help you tell your own story, in your own voice. Without the worries of organizing and editing yourself, we create a beautiful book to share with family, friends and future generations.
The Details
For a limited time we are offering a unique promotion!
With the purchase of gift certificates, we will credit $100 off your purchase of a memoir or one free hardcover book with each order.
Offer good through June 1, 2018.
How it Begins...
The first consultation will be complimentary and will be followed by a written proposal outlining the scope of the project, the methodology, projected time schedule and the projected costs.
Pricing is done individually for each project, depending upon the scope. In order to effectively quote a price, we request speaking to you on the phone first.
Long-Distance Options, using computer technology (Skype, Facetime or other programs) are available for families with relatives in far-away places.
Gifts for special occasions are a wonderful idea, but keep in mind it can be a lengthy process, with interviewing taking up to 20 hours.
Plan ahead and begin THE GIFT OF YOUR LIFETIME now!
We are now featuring Memoirs Lite and Chapters.
Highlight a monumental birthday, anniversary or a vacation as a part of your story. This Special Promotion includes 10 hours of interviews and a 20-page photobook.
THE PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO OUR SERVICES. Orders take a minimum of 8 weeks to produce.
GIFT CERTIFICATES ALSO AVAILABLE.
Send us your photographs of your loved ones and we will customize each gift certificate.
The “Plus” in Memoirs Plus
The most difficult part of starting this business was naming it. When we settled on “Memoirs Plus” it was a joyous moment because now we had room to grow in many directions. As we finish each memoir, we’ve found that our clients often want to add in extra services, which are charged separately.
Here are some of our “Pluses.” Want more info? Just ask. Telling your life story is a big undertaking and we’re here to help!
Audio Recordings
Book Parties
Classes in Memoir Writing
Company Histories
Cookbooks
Designing
Editing
Family Vacation Prompt Package
Gift Wrapping
Intergenerational Prompt Package
Memorials and Eulogies
Provide Prompts for Family Interviews
Reunions & Family Events
Slide Shows
Speaker
Transcriptions
Videos
About
Memoirs Plus founder Nancy Kessler has a passion for working with seniors.
Nancy started collecting seniors’ stories at a very young age when she frequently visited her 90-year-old neighbor Mrs. Blanchet to enjoy her life stories.
Nancy’s interest in oral history and folklore blossomed and she eventually pursued a career in historical museums. After graduating Skidmore College and the Cooperstown Graduate Program, Nancy was a Curator at the Museum of the City of New York.
Before founding Memoirs Plus, Nancy was the Therapeutic Recreation Director for Atria Rye Brook (independent living facility) and Greenwich Adult Daycare (Alzheimer’s Adult Day Care). There she saw the need to engage independent seniors with sophisticated intellectual and creative activities, and devised the idea of helping them tell their life stories through the organizing and writing of a memoir.
Nancy serves on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC) and is the founder of the WEDC Senior Providers’ Network. She is a frequent speaker for civic organizations and teaches Memoir Writing at various New York outlets, including the Scarsdale Adult School, the Pleasantville Senior Center and Bedford Hills Library.
• • •
The Memoirs Plus team includes a wide range of freelance creative associates who Nancy Kessler may call upon to help with the creation of the books and “plus” elements. These talented people include art directors, photo editors, graphic designers, writers, transcribers, copyeditors, book producers, video and slideshow producers, website designers, and event planners, among others.
~ Letter from Nancy ~
The most joyous moments in my business are when I sit with clients and watch them open their finished book for the first time. Although they have seen many drafts and proofs, there is nothing like holding their life stories in a beautifully bound edition. The excitement and emotion of holding this special book with their name on the cover can be overwhelming.
These legacy books are often created for a life celebration. I have been included in many a family gathering and watched the reactions of family members receiving this gift. It is truly a treasure and my clients always feel honored by their family’s reaction.
A Life Curator
My background is as a museum curator, and I often tell my clients that I am making an exhibit out of their lives. A curator researches and learns, culls and edits, writes and designs. All this, and more, is done when helping my clients create their memoir.
As their biographer, I help clients recapture and articulate in their own words their family traditions and key moments, with all their emotional peaks and valleys. While we sort through decades of photos and memories, a deep relationship is formed.
Some of my subjects don’t like the spotlight and are uneasy about being the protagonist of their own story. My job is to assure them that their stories and memories have meaning and value to the next generation. When my clients see their grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s faces as they pore over the pages of their book, the modesty seems to dissipate. Pride and legacy prevails.
My gift to my clients and their families is helping them preserve the essence of the person for future generations to know and love. It’s also my honor.
Nancy
Book Examples
CONTACT US
We look forward to hearing from you. For general inquiries or questions about our services, please fill out this form including a brief message. We will get back to you soon.
Nancy also is available for speaking or teaching classes. Please use this form to contact her.
Nancy Kessler (center) leading a Memoir Writing class.
914-261-0834 • nancy@memoirsplus.com
News / Blog
News Blog
Here are resources and our friends that you may be interested in exploring related to Memoirs Plus.
WEDC SENIOR PROVIDERS' NETWORK
www.wedcseniorprovidersnetwork.org