No apps. No typing. No technology.
If she can answer a phone, she can write her own Family Story.
Family Story does everything else — the interviews, the writing, the book. Here’s exactly how it works from your first click to a printed biography delivered to your door.
The process
From first call to finished book.
Most biographies take 8–12 weeks of gentle, regular calls 2-3 times a week. There’s no rush or hold up — our virtual biographer works entirely at your loved one’s pace.
You sign up and tell us about your loved one
Create your account and start a new biography project. You tell us your loved one’s name, phone number, and a little about them, then schedule times they would like to chat.
You can also invite family members to join the project at any time — siblings, grandchildren, old friends.
We make a friendly first call
Our virtual biographer calls your loved one at a time you schedule. Ideally, you can be present at that time too. This first call is a warm, relaxed introductory conversation — no pressure, no set agenda. Just a ‘getting to know’ chat about the important people in their life, the places they’ve lived, the moments they most want to share.
By the end of this call, our virtual biographer is able to suggest a personalised chapter structure just for them. This can then be reviewed and adjusted as desired.
Regular calls, chapter by chapter
Over the following weeks, our virtual biographer calls back at times you schedule. This can be as often or as rarely as your loved one prefers. Each call follows the chapter outline naturally, exploring one part of their story at a time.
Calls typically run 10–15 minutes, with a gentle check-in along the way: “We’ve been chatting for about 10 minutes — would you like to keep going, or shall we pick this up next time?” There’s never any pressure to continue.
If they don’t a call, we try again later and let you know. You can reschedule any call time from your dashboard at any time.
The family brings their photos and memories
After each call, we email prompts to invited family and friends based on what was discussed. “Margaret mentioned her first day at primary school in 1953 — does anyone have photos from that time?”
Family members can share their own memories of the same moments which are then woven into the biography alongside your loved one’s voice.
Chapters are written and sent for review
Once enough has been captured for a chapter, our virtual biographer edits the conversations into polished, readable prose — in the voice and style that fits your loved one. You and your family review each chapter as it’s completed, and can make suggestions and request changes: “Can you expand on the part about her time in London?” or “The tone feels a little formal here.”
After each call you also receive a brief summary — what was covered, which chapters are progressing — so you always know how the book is taking shape.
You approve the completed book
When all chapters are complete, you review the full biography and approve it. The digital book is available immediately — with every chapter, every photo, and every original audio recording embedded and playable.
For printed editions, your hardcover biography is professionally printed and bound, then delivered to your loved one’s door, with QR codes throughout linking back to the original call recordings.
Virtual biographer
Warm, patient, and genuinely curious.
Designed from the ground up for older adults who may not be that comfortable with technology.
How we designed the conversation
Never rushes. Lets your loved one find their words at their own pace. Celebrates every detail: “Oh, tell me more about that.”
Picks up where the last call left off. “Last time you were telling me about the farm — I’d love to hear what happened next.”
Asks open questions, then follows up on interesting threads. Knows when to probe deeper and when to move on gently.
Skips any topics they’d prefer not to discuss. Wraps up whenever they want to. Nothing is included in the book without their knowledge.
What a call sounds like
Sample conversation — Chapter 3: School Days
All conversations are recorded and preserved exactly as spoken.
Family involvement
A story told by the whole family.
Invite as many relatives and friends as you like. Everyone can contribute in their own way.
Photos, placed nicely
Upload photos any time — or respond to our prompts after each call. The virtual biographer suggests where each photo belongs in the story. You confirm or adjust.
Family soundbites
Relatives can note their own short memories of the same moments. These are woven into the biography alongside your loved one’s story — creating a richer, multi-perspective story.
Chapter review
Family and friends can read each chapter as it’s written and request changes. You control who can view, contribute, or edit.
Progress updates
After every call, you receive a brief summary of what was covered and how the chapters are progressing. You’re always across the story — without needing to listen to every call.
Messages to loved ones
We invite your loved one to leave personal messages for specific family members — their thoughts, hopes, and wishes — woven into a final chapter just for them.
Contribute from anywhere
Friends and family from anywhere in the world can participate. No apps to download — everything happens through a simple web browser link.
The finished book
A biography as rich as the life it tells.
Everything captured. Nothing lost.
Every chapter is written in polished prose, in the voice and style chosen by your loved one. Family photos sit alongside the words. And throughout the printed book, QR codes link to the original recordings — so future generations can hear every story told in its original voice.
- Polished, chapter-structured biography in their own voice
- Family photos placed throughout, in context
- Original audio recordings embedded in the digital version
- QR codes in the printed book linking to the audio
- Full downloadable archive of every recording and transcript
- Digital book hosted online and shareable with family
- Available as a hardcover — delivered Australia-wide
Common queries
Questions families ask before they start.
Will Mum actually pick up the phone when they are called?
Most elders do — especially if they’ve been told about it in advance. We recommend being with your loved one for the first call. Our virtual biographer introduces itself warmly and explains who set the project up. If she doesn’t pick up, we just try calling again later that day. You can reschedule any call at any time.
What if she misremembers things, or gets confused?
This is completely normal and part of what makes every biography unique. Our virtual biographer never corrects or challenges — it just listens, follows your loved one’s lead, and captures their story as they remember it. Family members can add context or alternative recollections in the review stage as desired.
What if she doesn’t want to talk about certain parts of her life?
The first introductory call maps out which topics they’d like to include, but also which she’d prefer to skip. Nothing is ever forced. The virtual biographer is specifically designed to move on gracefully if a topic feels uncomfortable, and the chapter plan can be adjusted any time during the project.
How long does the whole process take?
Most biographies take between 8–12 weeks of regular calls, depending on how much your loved one has to share. The virtual biographer works entirely at their pace. Calls can be scheduled once per week or 3 times a day. There’s no deadline and no pressure to complete faster than feels comfortable.
Is our family’s data private and secure?
All recordings, transcripts, and content are encrypted at rest and in transit, stored on Australian servers, and never used to train AI models or shared with third parties. You own everything. Your family’s stories stay in your family. We are fully compliant with the Australian Privacy Act.
What if the book isn’t finished by Mother’s Day?
Biographies usually take at least a month or two of regular calls to complete. The gift is the whole journey, not only the completed book, which arrives a few weeks after the final draft is approved for printing. A wonderful surprise!
Ready to capture her story?
30 Founding Member spots at $249. First come, first served. Closes Mother’s Day — or whenever they’re gone.
Claim a Founding Member spot → ⏳ Only 30 spots at this price — never available again after 10 May.