Services
Everyone has a valuable life story. No life is ordinary.
Co-writing (ghostwriting)
Perhaps you have tried to write your book but find it overwhelming, or maybe you would like to write your life stories but don't know where to start. You need a ghostwriter, a professional writer who can craft your story so that it is engaging, well-structured, well-written, and your own.
How does it work?
You hire Peg Brown to craft your memoir. She works with you to identify the most important people and events in your life, and interviews you about them. The interviews are over the phone or in person and last from one to two hours each. From these interviews, family letters, photographs and other memorabilia, she writes your stories chapter by chapter. All information gleaned is handled with the utmost confidentially.
You note any changes you want in the first drafts, edits are completed, and photographs are selected for insertion into the text. You receive a finished manuscript of excellent literary quality that can be self published, as well as CD’s of all interviews.
I never tire of opening my book Chimps in the Kitchen, Lions in the Cellar. Peg helped me honor my own voice and experience and made it fun. My book is a delight to read and share. —Anne Heldenbrand
What does it cost?
You are charged per hour and billed every two weeks. A 100-page book will cost between $8,000 and $12,000. A 200-page book will run in the low-to-mid five figures, etc.
Co-authoring may be just the answer for you. Call Peg Brown today for your free consultation.
Book Production (Self-publishing services)
How does it work?
If you have already completed your memoir but need assistance with editing, design or publication, Storyworks offers a complete array of services for self-publishers.
From your text and photographs, we can edit your story, and manage pre-press preparation of electronic text and image files, book design, and printing. Design elements include the front and back cover, index, chapter headings, and appendices. We can help you obtain a copyright and ISBN number.
The quantity of books published will depend on your interests and budget.
Friends, family and others have received my life story, Living on the Edge, with considerable enthusiasm. It was Peg and her associates who brought it together with a flawless professionalism, including editing, layout, design and publication. The end product has been most satisfying. —Frank Rodway
What does it cost?
Printing costs vary depending on the scope of your project and the number of books to be printed. You are billed an hourly rate for design and editing services.
Seminars and Workshops
Introduction to Life Writing Seminar
How do you get past writing your life story as a chronology of events? Learn how to determine which stories are most important, how to get organized, and the elements of good story telling. You will compose one story per week of three to five pages. Writing guidelines, story ideas, and a bibliography of suggested reading materials will be provided. No prior writing experience is required.
Seminars run one evening a week for seven weeks at locations in Kennebunk and the greater Portland area.
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Cost: $215. Couples receive 50% off on the second attendee. Your payment in full holds your registration. Register online by contacting pegbrown@maine.rr.com or call Peg Brown at 207 799-647. Payment by check only.
Current seminar locations and dates:
No seminars are currently scheduled.
Jump Start Your Life Writing Workshop
This one day workshop is designed for those who would like to jump start their life writing without having to take weekly seminar classes.
If you have life stories to write, but never knew how to get started, then this one-day interactive workshop is for you. Designed to launch or boost your life writing, you will come away confident and inspired to continue writing on your own. No prior writing experience is required to benefit from this workshop.
Cost: $98. Lunch is not included in cost of registration.
Time: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Your payment in full holds your registration. Register online by contacting pegbrown@maine.rr.com or call Peg Brown at 207 799-647. Payment by check only.
Current Seminar locations and dates:
No seminars are currently scheduled.
Would you like a seminar or workshop in your community?
Seminars and workshops can be arranged at a location near you as long as there are a minimum of six students enrolled. If you’d like to help set up a seminar in your area, please contact Peg Brown.
Life Writing Presentations
Looking for a great presentation for your club on a topic of interest to many people?
Writing the Stories of Your Life and Work is a lively interactive Storyworks talk that will be tailored for your group.
More and more people and organizations are writing and self-publishing their own stories or sharing them online or with their families. Peg Brown will tell your group why and how life writing and oral histories preserve the most precious of family and community stories.
The fee for this service is $80.
Oral Histories
Important historical information may be lost forever unless you interview the people involved.
Oral histories capture the stories of those who participated in historical events and helped build organizations and communities. Oral histories are captured via interviews that are then transcribed and preserved. The results can be held for public or private use for research and education, or edited and prepared for publication.
Storyworks was critical to the Portland Museum of Art being able to capture the information of 45 individuals who were instrumental in shaping the development of the Museum over the past 50 years. Their oral histories are now an invaluable part of the Museum’s historical record. —Marilyn Lalumiere
Director of Development
Portland Museum of Art
How does it work?
Peg Brown consults with you to determine the purposes and scope of your oral history project, who to interview, resources required and funding sources. Careful attention is given to copyright, legal issues, and planning to make sure oral histories are accessible for future research, marketing and public relations.
She then conducts structured, researched interviews using high quality audio and/or video equipment. Interviews can be videotaped if you wish. The interviews are then transcribed verbatim and edited further if desired. You receive a final copy of each interview printed on acid-free paper and a CD of the taped interviews. (DVD if videotaped)
What does it cost?
The costs of oral history projects vary depending on the purposes of your project and the number of people to be interviewed. You are billed an hourly rate for services provided. For more details, please call Peg Brown at 207 799-6472.
Private Coaching
Working with Peg Brown as your supportive writing coach gives you the opportunity to focus on your writing, plan a strategy for reaching your goals, and enjoy success.
How does it work?
Coaching is done by appointment via phone from the convenience of your home or office. It requires that you complete writing assignments as mutually agreed and e-mail them before coaching sessions.
Private coaching can be long or short-term, depending on your goals. It gets you writing and keeps you writing and improving.
What does it cost?
Fees are $65 hour and you are billed for only the actual number of minutes you are on the phone. You can schedule your coaching sessions:
- Weekly
- Twice Monthly
- Monthly
Weekly clients are only charged $60 per hour.
Free Consultation
To find out which Storyworks service best suits your needs, call or e-mail to make an appointment for a FREE half-hour consultation.