Twenty Years. Six Common Questions.
Founded in 2005, Classic Stories talks to dozens of prospective clients each year, all of them individuals of exceptional achievement. Over the years, these individuals have consistently asked these six questions.
“The team at Classic Stories worked very flexibly with my client. Their organization of the memoir, additional research into details that added more dimension to the story, and quality writing style helped deliver an exceptional book. They are quality professionals whom I would highly recommend for anyone who embarks on this important legacy journey.”
-Julie Neitzel, Partner, WE Family Offices
How does the process work?
Ultra successful people expect vendors to cater to client expectations. For that reason, Classic Stories provides a fully managed white-glove service. We oversee every aspect of your book—from the first interview to the finished volume. You bring your stories, photos, and any useful background information. We do the rest.
Phase 1: Gathering Your Story
Background information
We collect and digitize any useful information you have (photos, letters, business documents, and so on). When appropriate, we also conduct independent research, including historical and genealogical research to deepen and enrich your story.
Interviews
We conduct, record, and transcribe in-depth, face-to-face interviews in your home or office, at your convenience. Most clients find these sessions the most enjoyable part of the process. We come prepared, listen actively, and ask insightful questions. If you prefer, we will provide a list of questions and topics prior to each interview.
We can also conduct interviews with your colleagues, key customers, family members, and friends, arranging each conversation by phone or video call.
Content organization
Throughout the process, we organize the material chronologically by topic.
Phase 2: Manuscript development
Detailed outline
We outline each chapter of the entire book for your review and feedback. The outline reveals the story arc, structure, and emphasis of your book and ensures your book reflects the story you want to tell.
First Chapter
Next, we develop and share the opening chapter, giving you the opportunity to respond to the voice, tone, and style.
The full manuscript
Once aligned, we will create the remainder of the manuscript and send you two or more chapters at a time for your review and feedback. We will collaborate on revisions until the manuscript reflects your intent.
Phase 3: Book Design
Dust jacket design
We will consult with you about colors, photos, and other images and prepare several dust jacket designs for your review.
Book layout
We collaborate on all visual elements, from typography to image placement, so you can see precisely how your finished book will appear in print.
Phase 4: Publishing
Once you are happy with the dust jacket and book design, we will publish hardcover copies and optionally leatherbound books and audiobooks.
How long before I have my book?
We can usually deliver your hardcover books in about twelve months. Timing largely depends on your availability for interviews and the speed with which you provide feedback on the manuscript and book design. Our commitments to other clients will also affect timing, but we will give you a time frame we can keep when we share a proposal.
Who will I work with?
Throughout the project, you will work directly with either Joshua Sklare or Dave Green, authors of twenty-six books for Classic Stories. One of them will interview you and serve as your single point of contact, coordinating with the writer, designer, and researcher. They will also provide copy editing of the manuscript.
“I thoroughly enjoyed working with Classic Stories on my memoir. The preparation and completion of the book was seamless in every respect and has given me and my family enormous pleasure.”
-Thomas J. Volpe, Connecting My Dots
What is a “private” biography or memoir?
A publisher of private books does not generate revenue from the sale of your book. Instead, you bear the cost of production and retain full control over the manuscript, book design, and distribution.
In contrast, a publisher of commercial books decides if a proposed book will sell enough copies to at least break even. Most books do not. For that reason, publishers reject most books and rarely pay royalties. Instead, as with venture capital, a few big sellers pay for many losses, with 70-80 percent of books losing money. For this reason, for example, publishers rarely go through the added expense of placing numerous photos contextually throughout the book.
With a memoir or a biography, publishers of both commercial and private books pay for a researcher, a ghostwriter, a copyeditor, a proofreader, a fact-checker, a designer, and a printer. For an audiobook, the publisher would need voice talent, a casting director, and a sound engineer. Of course, the scale of the publisher will dictate these and other divisions of labor. At the low end, the writer may do the research and copyediting, for example.
In terms of production costs, ghostwriters command the greatest compensation. Fees for ghostwriters start at $40,000 for good writers and $500,000 and up for proven, gifted writers. The publisher also incurs sales and marketing costs. To help with marketing, the subject of the book must go on book tours. The big sellers must also pay for advances and royalties. Those who receive advances may generally negotiate more editorial control. In most cases, the publishers keep control.
How riveting your book is and how beautiful the design is will depend on the quality of the choices you make in selecting a company to help you.
How much will this cost?
A cursory review of others who provide memoir and biography services will reveal a significant gap between their fees and ours. We receive calls each year from frustrated people seeking help after they have spent money and invaluable time on projects that did not meet their vision and standards.
We believe your memoir or biography should be worthy of the enormous success you have had in life. For that reason, we cut no corners. Instead, Classic Stories offers a premium service for exceptional clients and asks for a premium price.
The price depends on the scope. The scope depends on these variables:
- The talent and experience of the writer, the interviewer, the designer, and researcher
- The number of people you want us to interview
- The cost of time and travel when conducting interviews in your home or place of business
- The volume of useful background information you have (e.g., photos, letters, diaries, awards, news clippings, reports, audio or audio/video recordings and/or transcripts, and other documents)
- Background information we need to find
- The number of edit cycles on the manuscript and book design
- The number of pages, which is a function of the depth and breadth of topics and, to a lesser degree, the inclusion of photos and other images
- The number of hardcover and leatherbound books you want
- The inclusion of an audiobook, if desired
There are many companies that will produce your book for less. None will do it better.
“Classic Stories possesses an innate gift for engaging clients to probe the inner depths of their personal history. Then, with phenomenal skill, the Classic Stories team creates a gripping, detailed account of a life story.”
-David Oppenheimer, A Life Relived
Why Classic Stories?
For over twenty years, Classic Stories has produced private memoirs and biographies for people who created generational wealth. Our clients are Fortune 500 CEOs and board members, exceptional entrepreneurs, elite professionals, and multigenerational family businesses. A white-glove, turnkey service. Production values worthy of your life of consequence. Heirloom-quality books designed to last for generations. In-depth knowledge of history, business, culture, and politics.
“After reading my father’s biography by Classic Stories, I learned a great deal about him. Even though he passed late last June, he lives on through his book. His wisdom will last for generations in our family.”
-Bobby Ansin, son of Ron Ansin, Carrying the Message
Get Custom Answers to Your Questions
We accept a limited number of new projects each year. If you are ready to explore the possibility, we invite you to request a private legacy consultation with Dave Green and our founder, Joshua Sklare.
They are the authors of twenty-six memoirs and biographies. To request a consultation, contact Brittany Scott: