The Memoir Writer

I help people preserve their legacies by turning their life stories into memoirs.

The Memoir Writer was born during the Covid-19 pandemic, after I watched yet another beautiful eulogy on Zoom. I was sad for the missed opportunity to deepen my connection with the recently deceased by better knowing their story.

I created The Memoir Writer to help people document their family history for future generations and provide their family with an understanding of how they became who they are. People can enjoy heartfelt and meaningful conversations with their loved ones while they still able and share their life lessons with those who care the most.

What is your plan for passing along this very important information?

  • "Leslie made it easy to share my story. She turned our conversations into a thoughtful book that sounds like me. I thoroughly enjoyed the process, and my friends and family are very impressed."

    Wally Wallner

  • "My siblings and I have long wanted to document our mom's life story — some things we knew and many other things we didn’t know. It was truly an amazing experience for all of us to learn about family history and then to capture it in a lovely book for all generations. It is a daunting task but so much easier with Leslie’s expertise and guidance. She did an incredible job interviewing my 95-year-old mother and tying together other information from our extended family; it gives us even more to talk about at our next family reunion."

    Ellen Pensky McGraw

  • "With Leslie's help, my longtime dream of writing a book came true. Not only was she integral in developing the framework and content of Unraveling Dualities: Finding Peace with Paradox, she guided me through the business of publishing. Her ability to extract the core ideas from me, and manage all the considerations I never knew existed, was critical in creating a book I am proud of."

    Gail Berger Darlow, Clinical Professor, Management & Organizations, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University

  • "Asian people keep to themselves, and their children end up not knowing a lot about their parents. I can’t believe how much Leslie got me to talk!"

    Edna Carvin

  • "As a former CEO, and, admittedly, not always the easiest client, I came into this with strong opinions. With two self-published books under my belt, I also fancied myself a writer, which only added to my particularity about phrasing and detail. Trusting someone else to tell my story was no small leap. Leslie met that challenge. She listened carefully, respected my perspective, and elevated it, often finding better words than I would have chosen myself. Her patience and thoughtfulness never wavered. In the end, she delivered a memoir that’s entirely true to me. I couldn’t be more pleased."

    Janiece Nolan, Former CEO, John Muir Physician Network

  • "You can’t believe the things I’ve done in my 105 years. Somehow, Leslie and I got talking about them, she wrote them all down, and made my daughter happy. That’s what matters."

    Walter Franklin “Andy” Anderson

The Process

  • During this meeting, we determine what you’d like to accomplish with your memoir along with the voice you wish to convey. We discuss a timeline, responsibilities and fee structure. If we decide to work together, I will then send you a written services agreement.

  • You complete a short questionnaire on your own or with the help of your family. This ensures that all of the dates and places are correct.

  • This is where the magic takes place! During each one to two-hour session we chat in-person or on video about your life experiences and values. At the end of our last interview session you will provide the photos you’d like included.

  • The writing stage starts with organizing your story on my wall-sized whiteboard. Then I sit down at the computer and turn the soundbites we uncovered during the interviews into your memoir manuscript.

  • Ready to read through your masterpiece? Take up to two weeks to review the first draft, making sure we’ve covered it all.

  • After you and I agree on a cover direction, our talented production team jumps in to design it. They also lay out the book’s interior pages.

  • Your book is sent to a commercial printer. If you’d like it to be available for sale through global book distribution channels such as Amazon, this is the point at which we make that happen. Once we ensure that every page has printed to the high standard which we demand, your copies are delivered to you.

Together, we decide what you’d like to share and the format that best serves your goals.

We then proceed with thoughtful interviewing, careful listening, patience, and clear, well-turned writing.

This becomes your hardcover memoir, your legacy in print.