Memoir Publishing: Professional Life Story Design & Print Service

Here at Foglio we’ve learned that everyone has a story to share and they have great reasons to share them! Writing a memoir solidifies our legacy, it brings our families together, it captures the essence of our life’s journey, and in many cases, provides valuable insights for our diverse communities.

For authors who have already written their memoir or autobiography manuscript, you may be wondering, “What’s next for my manuscript?” Many have asked us exactly that, so we’ve collected the answers to the most frequently asked memoir publishing questions for your convenience.

Is my memoir ready for production?

This depends on how much work you have spent on your life story. Even if you have a fully complete manuscript, your book will still require a little extra work like cover design, interior styling and typesetting, headers, page numbering, table of contents, and editing. If you already have a print ready PDF or Word document, you only have a few more things to consider before publishing! Do you want an ISBN on your book? Would you like to create an EPUB?

A Foglio Custom Book Specialist will be able to advise you on whether or not your book is ready to print. You can always send us an email with any questions you have about publishing your memoir.

How do I publish my memoir?

There are two ways you can publish a memoir: traditional publishing and self-publishing.

Foglio serves self-publishing authors who have print-ready files or manuscripts that require design service. You can learn more about the benefits of self-publishing in our recent blog post.

Foglio helps many authors self-publish their memoirs and autobiographies. If you have a complete or nearly complete manuscript, contact us and we will help you publish your book!

How long should my book be?

Memoirs vary in length, like any book, but we typically see memoirs that are anywhere between 50,000 to 200,000 words. The page count however will depend on how many images your book contains, the trim size of the book, and other factors like typesetting and fonts. Let us know how you would like to include images in your memoir and we will have a better idea of how many pages your book will be when printing.

Do I need to have my book edited?

YES. We strongly recommend having your book edited. If you’re only planning to publish one book in your lifetime, you should do it properly and make sure it’s the best it can be.

There are different types of editing services. If you want someone to look at your manuscript as a whole and recommend how you can improve it, we can help you find a substantive editor. If you have already edited your work and you’re looking for someone to check for spelling and grammatical errors, Foglio offers copyediting and proofreading services. We at Foglio are determined to make your book as perfect as possible. After all, it’s a legacy you leave for those who matter most to you.

Where do I print my book?

Self-publish your memoirs with Foglio! We have a number of printing options for you including softcover memoirs, hard cover memoirs, perfect binding and smith sewn binding, so get in contact with us to see which option works best for your project.

Do I own the copyright?

Yes! Unlike with traditional publishing, the beauty of self-publishing is that your book belongs 100% to you! Foglio takes no royalties from the sale of your books.

How do I make an eBook?

Foglio offers eBook production services so that you can reach a wider audience through online distribution sites. More information on our eBook services is available here.

How do I sell my book?

There are a few ways to sell your book. You can host your own book launch, have a family gathering, attend a writing or book event, sell your books online, and offer your books to specialty bookstores. Foglio can help you with online distribution of your eBook on platforms like Apple Books, Rakuten Kobo, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and many more. We also provide help with setting up your book for print-on-demand through Amazon. You can read more about how Foglio helps you get ready to sell your books here.

How do I become a bestselling author?

The books that land on the bestsellers list are as varied as the people who read and write them! One thing we do know is that people love reading good memoirs, and that despite the old adage, people always judge a book by its cover. At Foglio, we emphasize the importance of a good, professional book design. It can make all the difference when you’re selling your book.

After helping hundreds of authors publish their memoirs, we have noticed a few patterns shared by the best memoirs! At the core of every great memoir is a story people care about told in a way that make people want to read it. Simple, right? Bring your stories to Foglio and we can help you create a book you’re proud to show off.