MEMOIRS PLUS IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU TELL YOUR LIFE STORY THROUGH WRITING A MEMOIR.
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 to organize them with you and your family. We also 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.
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
“Dad Couldn’t Be Happier With The Book, And It Will Be A Treasure For Generations To Come.”
Last Christmas we gave my father the gift of Memoirs Plus’ assistance in writing his memoir. He loved the idea of writing the story of his fortunate and interesting life. Nancy met and interviewed Dad (and Mom), both in person and by phone, sorted through a multitude of photos and old documents, and then began to write. Dad and Mom really enjoyed the process.
We’ve just distributed the finished book to the extended family. It’s beautiful. Dad couldn’t be happier with the book, and it will be a treasure for generations to come.
I highly recommend Memoirs Plus!
—Kevin M. (son)
“I Could Not Be More Satisfied And Happy, Which Is Not A Small Feat For A 93 Year Old.”
I never would have done this book it wasn’t for Nancy of Memoirs Plus. I was so comfortable with her. The first time I called her, it was so bashert. I was meant to work on this project with Nancy. I don’t know how to thank her. She has been my guide and my teacher. Nancy kept me on track and gently motivated me along the way, and even helped to put a few things together that had been scattered in paper piles and in my head.
I surprised my whole family with the book. I love it… it brings Danny back to me, and my mother, father and sister. I could not be more satisfied and happy, which is not a small feat for a 93 year old.
—Bev, 93
“The Book Is A Fabulous Work; Quite A Challenge To Capture BGC In All Her Glorious Dimensions But You Did, For All Of Us, For All Time.”
I am grateful for what you have done here. I am sure we all are. I have copied my mother’s immediate fan club. Not enough space for everyone.
No doubt you learned that mom is a goddess.
The book is a fabulous work; quite a challenge to capture BGC in all her glorious dimensions but you did, for all of us, for all time.
Who do I talk to about the movie and stage rights?
Our Casting Director is searching for a combination of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Ginger Rogers, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Golda Meir, Jean Simmons, Anat Hoffman and Mary Tyler Moore.
—Mitchell C. (son)
Image: Mitchell with his mother in a photo from her book.
“This is what I will remember most of 2020 – not COVID – and that is a true gift!”
Every time I look at this book – I get more and more excited – so happy we did this and really have enjoyed being a big part of it – Even with all of my work, deadlines and stress – this is what I will remember most of 2020 – not COVID – and that is a true gift!
—Barbara (daughter)
“I just wanted to thank you so much for all your work and patience in putting together our memoir book.”
I just wanted to thank you so much for all your work and patience in putting together our memoir book. It is more than I ever expected! My family really likes it too. The time and effort to get it all together was well worth it.
—M.J. (client)
“We all treasure our copies. I had mine signed by Mom and will never forget her opening her copy and reciting it’s contents. You provided a wonderful gift for our family for many future generations.”
Nancy,
My sister distributed my Mom’s memoir which you so gracefully composed.
It was a highlight of a wonderful Thanksgiving shared with family. I sat next to Mom while she opened her copy and narrated her version of her life, using your pictures and text as her guide. It was a memory I will never forget.
We all treasure our copies. I had mine signed by Mom and will never forget her opening her copy and reciting it’s contents. You provided a wonderful gift for our family for many future generations. Please know the joy you provided our family
—Lisa (daughter)
“Writing a memoir seemed a good thing for an old lady to do”
Writing a memoir seemed a good thing for an old lady to do. Finding Nancy Kessler and Memoirs Plus to produce it was a stroke of luck. I had searched the internet for help and Nancy rose to the challenge. She was easy to work with, prompt and courteous and, of course, knew how to put my ramblings together into a coherent, “everything I hoped for” memoir for my family. Editing, proofing, compiling, printing were all well done. The final result is a book I am very proud of. I could not be more pleased.
—Mary Jane (client)
“Nancy’s combination of organization, creativity, and guidance, along with her calm style, made putting together all the pieces ... come together in a cohesive and artistic way."
For me, writing poetry is a passion; seeing it come alive on the page is a treasure.
With just a dozen poems in hand, I met with Nancy Kessler to discuss the possibility of putting together a poetry collection. After reading the pieces, Nancy’s vision for a book of poetry that would blend words and images was shaped. Thirty-two poems later – each accompanied with meaningful and symbolic images – the collection, A Fragile Veneer, took life on the page.
Nancy’s combination of organization, creativity, and guidance, along with her calm style, made putting together all the pieces of poetry living on random scraps of paper, on my cell phone, and on my computer come together in a cohesive and artistic way.
—Susan (client)
“Our lifelong dream was to write my Mom's memoirs. We couldn't have done it without you.”
Our lifelong dream was to write my Mom's memoirs. We couldn't have done it without you. Your attention and devotion to this project was incredible and invaluable in helping us achieve our goal. I look back on this year with wonderment and fulfillment, and it was through your tireless efforts that we were able to give my Mom (age 98) this monumental gift.
—Belinda (daughter)
Link to Purchase the Book
Our process begins with knowing you and your story
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.
A personal approach to business
Once we agree with the details, Memoirs Plus founder Nancy Kessler will work closely with you to interview, record and document your story. This may be done through collecting photographs, creating a family tree and spending hours asking you and your loved ones questions. We then collate all of this information into a beautiful book.
We believe everyone’s story is unique
Pricing is done individually for each project, depending upon the scope. Please arrange for a phone call to discuss project prices.
We can arrange to work with clients long-distance by using computer technology (Skype, Facetime or other programs). This is especially helpful for families with relatives in far-away places.
Plan ahead and begin THE GIFT OF YOUR LIFETIME now! We customize each gift certificate with a photograph of your loved one.
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.
Every project is unique. We will work with you to determine the exact type and style of book you desire.
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.
This is the perfect introduction to our services. Orders take a minimum of 8 weeks to produce.
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
* Interviews
* Large-Print Editions
* Memorials and Eulogies
* Provide Prompts for Family
* Reunions & Family Events
* Slide Shows
* Speaker
* Survivors’ Memoirs
* Transcriptions
* Videos
Memoirs Plus founder Nancy Kessler has a passion for listening and capturing the essence of a life.
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 a digital archivist, art directors, photo editors, graphic designers, writers, transcribers, copy editors, book producers, video and slideshow producers, website designers, and event planners, among others.
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.
Memoirs Plus founder Nancy Kessler also is available for speaking, teaching classes and life events.
914-261-0834 • nancy@memoirsplus.com
Nancy Kessler (center) leading a Memoir Writing class.
