Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write any kind of book, or do you only produce memoirs/personal histories?
How long will my book be?
Is there any limit to the number of chapters or stories I tell?
Will you change what I say on the recordings?
Is there any rule about anything I can’t say in my book?
Can a book have more than one author?
Can I send you a book I’ve already started?
What if I change my story plan after I’ve recorded stories? Can I use different stories instead?
Is there a minimum or maximum length for my book?
Why is your service less expensive than other memoir services, such as ghostwriters?
What is your Hospice Express Book program?
How long can I expect it to take to complete my book?
Do you offer large type books?
I have a problem with my speech. Can you record my stories?
Can I write any kind of book, or do you only produce memoirs/ personal histories?
Our service works for other kinds of books, too We exclude technical works and manuals, because they require indexing. We place limits on editorial time for fiction authors. For authors who wish to create a book that is exclusively text, and who do not require any illustrations or photos services, we offer a discount. If you wish to do a photo/illustration book with little or no text, we also offer a discounted price.
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How long will my book be?
The number of pages depends on how much you dictate, how fast you speak, and how many stories you tell. If you talk at an average pace for 4 hours, expect your book to be approximately 120-140 pages of text. The number and size of the photographs you include also affects the book’s length. You can request that we design your book to be longer or shorter, by resizing text and photos. This becomes more important if you’re going to mass-produce the book, and wish to keep costs down.
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Is there any limit to the number of chapters or stories I tell?
No. In your recordings, you can tell many, many stories, or one really, really long story. Most clients find that by planning their book's contents, their recording time is more than adequate for all their stories. If you’re creating a really “big book” you can choose our PLATINUM CAP Book, which allows 8 hours of recording time. If that's not enough, you can record more stories for an extra fee. See our Cart for optional recording service fees.
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Will you change what I say on the recordings?
Yes. We’ll edit lightly, taking out the “ums” and repeated phrases and other common errors of spoken language so that the story reads naturally. We’ll correct the grammar. We won’t change what the stories say or mean.
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Is there any rule about anything I can’t say in my book?
No. Your book is your own, and you have “artistic license”. It is also confidential. We do not display or share your book unless you offer us a sample to show off. However, although we like to think we’ve seen it all, if you intend to include highly graphic content, let us know so we can assign you an editor who is comfortable with it.
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Can a book have more than one author?
Yes. Any number of “contributing authors” can call in their stories. However, only one person is ‘the client’ and receives our mailings, makes the decisions, and confers with our editor. For family and group projects, we recommend you gather to discuss the process and choose a “coordinator” to be in charge of communications with everyone involved.
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Can I send you a book I’ve already started?
Yes. You can send us any typed content, or digital recordings. However, if you have a handwritten manuscript, we ask you to dictate it either into your own digital recorder or record on our phone recording system. You may also choose to contract us on an hourly basis for just one book service, such as editing or cover design, while you do the rest. However, we do not provide editorial phone support in such cases; only CAP authors have an assigned editor with unlimited support.
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What if I change my story plan after I’ve recorded stories? Can I use different stories instead?
Yes. You can cut and add stories. You can discuss ideas for cuts, additions and other changes with your editor during your manuscript conference. The only limit is the time you spend recording, as this requires labor from us. If you want to do a major revision of your draft, ask your editor how much recording time you have left. You can purchase additional time if you exceed your contracted time.
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Is there a minimum or maximum length for my book?
There is no minimum, and the maximum is usually 400 pages. If you are preparing a CAP Hospice Express Book and have too little material for 40 pages, there will be blank pages at the end, resulting in 40 pages, for the sake of the book’s binding.
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Why is your service less expensive than other memoir services, such as ghostwriters?
Our authors tell their own stories. We don’t ghostwrite or conduct interviews in person, which can be very time-consuming and expensive. Instead, we provide our authors with the tools to develop their own outline and tell their own stories, and we focus on providing the editorial and technical services. We believe our authors have a greater sense of ownership of the final book, and a more rewarding experience for creating it.
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What is your Hospice Express Book program?
We extend special consideration to those who are dying and to their families. Recording a loved one’s stories at the end of life has special meaning and special urgency. We offer a guide that simplifies gathering stories and photographs. We also waive our “one client” rule in this case, so that family members can help the author and act as an intermediary when speaking with our editor. We also expedite these books ahead of all others, so that they are completed as quickly as is possible.
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How long can I expect it to take to complete my book?
That is up to you. For authors who have already planned a book, or authors who choose our easiest planning checklists from the Author’s Guide, it is possible to organize, draft, revise, print, and receive a book within three months. CAP Hospice Express Books can be even faster. However, most authors choose to take longer. There are many creative possibilities to explore, both in choosing stories and photographs. We process your materials quickly as they are submitted to us, but the pace is mostly up to you. Ask your editor how to produce your book more quickly if you’re in a hurry.
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Do you offer large type books?
Yes, we are happy to help by preparing large type books upon request, at no additional charge. You may also request that some or all of your photos and illustrations be rendered at full-page sizes, as their resolution permits. Although we do not charge for this service, your book will have more pages as a result, and your cost per book from the printer may be increased.
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I have a problem with my speech. Can you record my stories?
If you have a heavy accent, a speech impediment, or a very low-volume, low-pitch voice, we may not be able to hear your recordings well enough to transcribe them. Speak to one of our editors, and we'll have you try a test call to our recording system. If that doesn't work, we'll show you how to work with a partner at home with a digital recorder. It will take you a little longer, but it's worth it! Of course, you can also write your stories and mail them to us if you prefer.
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