Family stories, printed to stay
The stories they tell. The pages that stay.
I interview your parent or grandparent by phone, turn their own words into a story printed on beautiful, heavyweight paper, and ship it to your door. They talk. You keep it. No apps, no typing, no homework for anyone.
- By phone
Sessions happen on a regular phone call or Zoom. Nothing to download.
- In their voice
Their words, their phrases, their stories. Cleaned up, never rewritten.
- Printed for real
Hardcover books on heavyweight paper, shipped to you.
- Private
Never published publicly. Only your family sees it.
What they say, and what you hold
Real conversation is full of starts and stops. I keep the voice and remove the noise, so the book sounds exactly like them on their best day.
Sample stories written for illustration.
Four steps. You only do one.
You book the call and share a few names and dates. I handle the interviews, the writing, the design, and the printing.
- Step 1You and Moriah
A free call with you
We talk for 30 minutes about who you want to record, what you hope to capture, and which package fits.
- Step 2Your loved one and Moriah
Phone sessions with them
I call your loved one for relaxed, guided conversations of about an hour. Childhood, work, love, faith, the stories the family always asks for.
- Step 3You, at your pace
You review the draft
You get a digital draft to read, correct names and dates, and add photos. One round of changes is included.
- Step 4Delivered to your door
Printed and shipped
The finished story is printed, bound, and shipped to you or to anyone you choose. The audio recordings come with it.
One price. Books included.
Every package includes the interviews, writing, design, printing, and shipping within the U.S. No hourly billing and no surprise invoices.
The Short Story
$395
About 12 pages
- 1 recorded phone session
- Up to 10 family photos
- 1 softcover book
- Audio recording included
- Full $395 credited if you upgrade within 60 days
The Conversation
$595
About 20 pages
- 2 recorded phone sessions
- Up to 10 family photos
- 1 hardcover book
- Audio recordings included
The Family Edition
$1,015
About 40 pages
- 4 recorded phone sessions
- Up to 30 family photos
- 3 hardcover books
- Private family listening page for 1 year
- Audio recordings included
The Heirloom
$1,960
About 60 pages
- 6 recorded phone sessions
- Up to 50 family photos
- 6 hardcover books
- Private family listening page for 1 year
- Family tree page and timeline
Give the call itself. Good toward any package, and easy for siblings to go in on.
$395, covers The Short Story in full
Order more copies for siblings and grandkids anytime.
$25 softcover, $39 hardcover, shipped
More stories to tell? Add a session to any package.
$105 per session
A private, password-protected page with the recordings and book, after the first year.
$69 per year
Paper made to be passed around
Something your kids will take out and read to their kids. Made to be handled.
- Title pageTheir name and birth year, with a family photo
- BindingHardcover for The Conversation, Family Edition and Heirloom. Softcover for The Short Story
- PaperHeavyweight, smooth paper that makes family photos look their best
- InsideChapters by life stage, family photos placed with the stories they belong to
- AudioEvery session recording, so you can hear their voice anytime
- ShippingPacked flat and shipped anywhere in the U.S., free
The present they will treasure
Most stories take 8 to 12 weeks from first session to delivery. Plan backward from the day you want it in their hands.
Book by early February
Mother's Day
Hand her the story of her own life.
Book by early March
Father's Day
Finally get the stories he only tells once.
Book by September
The holidays
One gift for the whole family, in multiple copies.
Any time
A milestone birthday
80, 90, 100. Read a chapter at the party.
Not sure which package they would want? A $395 gift card covers The Short Story in full, arrives with a printed card to wrap, and counts toward any larger package.
Want it to be a surprise for the rest of the family? We can keep the sessions between you, me, and the storyteller until the books arrive.
Hi, I'm Moriah
I'm the person on the other end of the phone.
I hold a master's degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and spent years in community work, sitting with people of every age and helping them say what matters to them. I also run Tell Me Your Book, where I help people write their life stories into published books.
The Stories That Stay is the family version. I ask good questions, I listen far more than I talk, and I make sure the person you love feels like the most interesting person in the room. Because they are.
Moriah: What's the first house you remember? Walk me through the front door.
Storyteller: Oh. Nobody has asked me that in sixty years.
Most people talk for the full hour and ask when the next call is.
Moriah
What families ask first
Something not covered here? Ask on the free call.
My dad isn't good with technology. Will this work?
Yes. All he needs is a phone. I call him at a time that suits him, and that is the only thing he has to do.
What if they're shy or say they have nothing to tell?
Almost everyone says that. Good questions fix it. I start with easy, concrete memories and the stories follow.
Their memory isn't what it used to be. Is that a problem?
Not usually. Long-ago memories often stay sharp. Shorter sessions work well, and family members are welcome to join a call to help.
Is anything published online?
No. The story is printed for your family only. The listening page, if your package includes it, is private and password protected.
Can siblings in other states split the cost?
Yes. One person books, and I can send separate payment links to anyone chipping in.
Can we start small and upgrade later?
Yes. Start with The Short Story. If you move up to any larger package within 60 days, the full $395 counts toward it.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes. Gift cards are $395. That covers The Short Story in full, or counts toward any larger package. The recipient books their free call whenever they are ready.
How long does it take?
Most families receive their copies 8 to 12 weeks after the first session, depending on the package and how quickly you review the draft.
Can we record in another language?
Sessions are in English. If your loved one mixes in Yiddish, Spanish, Italian or any other language, those words stay in the book, with a translation where it helps.
Tell me who you want to hear from
30 minutes, no cost, no pressure. I'll answer your questions and tell you honestly which package fits.
Prefer to call?
215-284-3095