Written Legacy Services

Your story matters.

Your legacy matters.

Annie Hallsten Narayan is a personal historian who specializes in helping clients capture and preserve their unique stories for future generations. Driven by a passion for storytelling, Annie conducts personalized interviews and transforms them into beautifully crafted keepsake books. She handles every detail of crafting and weaving your stories together, creating a legacy that will be cherished by your loved ones for years to come. Let Annie guide you in celebrating your family's journey, ensuring that the your shared history is passed down, leaving a lasting legacy for the future.

Annie's commitment is to take the burden off of your shoulders; she does the work of crafting and weaving together your stories, creating a legacy that will be treasured by your loved ones. Let Annie help you celebrate your family's journey and ensure that the essence of your collective history is passed down, creating a lasting legacy for the future.

“Annie was great to work with. She took the time to interview me thoroughly, ensuring that all the details of our story were accurate. The final result was heartfelt and something my family and I will cherish forever.”

What's Included

Interviews

Interviews are the most important part of the project. Interviews are 60 minutes in length and can be conducted on Zoom, by phone, or in-person (travel fees apply to clients outside of Northern California). In addition to the subject, here is a list of subjects who could be considered for interviews: family (spouses, parents, grandparents, stepparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, children, etc.), neighbors, coaches, pastoral staff, teachers, employers/employees, childhood friends, and other acquaintances.

Artifacts

All projects include scanned artifacts. Here is a list of suggested artifacts: photographs, yearbook pages, family trees, report cards, copies of speeches, letters, greeting cards, birth certificates, hospital records, adoption orders, original artwork, poetry, song lyrics, recipes, awards, diplomas, programs, newspaper clippings

The Gift of Legacy

There is no greater gift than the gift of legacy. Clients may purchase a gift certificate to give to a loved one to complete the project on their own timeline. We offer a special gift box that allows for a nice presentation. The box includes a gift certificate, a commemorative journal, and a beautiful pen engraved with the recipient's name.

What is Life Story?

What is a personal historian? Why would I hire someone to write my story? Click on the video to learn more about my legacy writing services.

5 Reasons to Write Your Story

Pass on Family History, Values, and Traditions: Your family's unique story, values, and cherished traditions deserve to be passed down through the ages.
Give Meaning to One’s Life and Lived Experiences: Every life is a journey, and documenting that journey brings depth and meaning to each lived experience.
Give Your Heirs a Sense of Where They Came From: Knowing their roots provides a strong foundation for your heirs, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
Experience Healing Through the Storytelling Process: Sharing and reflecting on life's stories can be a therapeutic and healing process for both the storyteller and the audience.
Giving Your Life Continuity: Providing future generations with a tangible connection to their past is a priceless gift, offering continuity and a sense of belonging.

Here's How It Works

Step One

Introductory Call: Annie and the client schedule a thirty minute introductory call. On the call you discuss the experience and the process, the subject of the book, determine who will be interviewed, and set a timeline that both parties are comfortable with.

Step Two

Contract: Both parties sign the contract and the client pays the deposit.

Step Three

Interviews: Annie conducts a series of interviews with the subject and his/her/their family and friends. All interviews are conducted on Zoom or via email. If the client prefers an in-person interview, a reasonable travel fee will occur for those who reside outside of Sacramento.

Step Four

First Draft: Once the outline is approved, Annie will begin writing the first draft of the book. The client will have the opportunity to read the draft, provide feedback, and recommend changes. Annie will then make revisions and the client will have the opportunity to provide another round of feedback.

Step Five

Feedback and Revision: After two rounds of feedback, Annie will complete the final draft.

Step Six

Digital Final Draft & Final Payment: Annie will send a watermarked digital copy of the finished book to the client. Final payment is due within 10 days of receiving the watermarked digital copy.

Step Seven

Project Completion: The client will receive the final digital copy and our work together is done.

Who Is This For?

Elderly Individuals or Families: Older adults who want to preserve their personal histories and life experiences for future generations.
Those with Unique or Remarkable Life Stories: People who have had extraordinary or unusual life experiences, such as surviving significant historical events, participating in major cultural shifts, or overcoming great personal challenges, may want to share their stories with others.
Families Looking to Preserve Ancestral History: Families who want to document the lives of their ancestors or create a family legacy. This can be especially important for those with rich genealogies or cultural traditions they want to keep alive.
Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs: Individuals who have had a significant impact in their industry or community may hire a personal historian to document their professional journey, accomplishments, and lessons learned, both for their own legacy and for business storytelling.
Those Seeking Closure or Healing: Individuals going through life transitions, such as retirement, divorce, or loss, may find the process of telling their story cathartic, helping them find closure and understanding.
Adopted Individuals or Families of Adopted Children: People who are adopted or families with adopted children who wish to explore and understand their roots and create a narrative around their life journey.
Couples or Families Seeking a Shared Legacy: Couples or families who want to document their shared history and experiences, creating a collective narrative that can be passed down for generations.

Investment

The Signature Legacy Writing Package is priced at $5,000 and includes everything you need to preserve your legacy:

10 hours of in-depth interviews
Up to 50 photos and artifacts
A beautifully crafted 100-125 page finished product
A PDF version for easy replication
5 hardback copies

We also offer customizable packages tailored to your needs, with flexible pricing options, monthly payment plans, and split invoices for multiple contributors.

LET'S GET STARTED

Are you ready to write your story?

Congratulations! You've made the decision to embark on the journey of writing your story! It's an honor that you've chosen to work with me. I couldn't be more excited to collaborate with you on this project. Let's start this journey by scheduling an introductory call to dive into your story.

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE INTRODUCTORY CALL

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to write and publish a memoir. Can you help me?

My story involves trauma and abuse. Are you comfortable helping me with this?

I would like to write our story with my family. Can you help us?

This division of The Experience Curator is dedicated to the people in my life who have transitioned from this world and are now living in a better place. I am forever grateful for the beautiful experiences we shared.