A Story of Two Lives
A Story of Two Lives
Derial Sanders had spent decades building a life filled with family memories, hard-earned wisdom, business accomplishments, faith, and stories worth preserving.
After documenting his memories through another memoir service, Derial completed the writing and received a printed book. But something wasn't right.
The stories were there, but the finished book looked more like a long document than a polished memoir. The pages were text-heavy, the layout did not invite reading, and the final result was far from the legacy keepsake he had envisioned.
Rather than settle, Derial decided to redo the book and give his story the care it deserved.
That's when he found My Stories Matter.
Watch a one-minute video from Derial explaining his experience.
See all client reviewsDerial was capable, experienced and already a published author of Saving Henley. But even he needed human guidance to turn a personal manuscript into a family legacy.
A Story of Two Lives
Derial Sanders, previously published author of Saving Henley
Memoir redesign, proofreading, editing, photo restoration and publishing
Existing manuscript and previously printed memoir from another service
Preserve Derial's authentic voice while turning his life story into a readable, professional family legacy book
- Editorial guidance
- Proofreading and editing
- Photo restoration
- Interior book design
- Cover design
- Personal project support
Derial initially ordered six copies as Christmas gifts for his children and grandchildren. He later returned to create a second edition and ordered additional copies.
A polished memoir that family members wanted to read, share and pass down.
Derial's daughter originally gifted him a memoir project from another company. At first, he wasn't sure he wanted to do it.
Eventually, he began writing. The problem wasn't the stories. The problem was turning those stories into a book his family would actually want to read.
The book he eventually received felt text-heavy and difficult to engage with.
Derial knew his life story deserved more than that.
Derial knew how much work goes into creating a book. But a family memoir is different. It carries more emotional weight. It has to sound like the person who lived it, preserve memories accurately and invite family members to keep reading.
This was his life story and the legacy he wanted to leave behind. He didn't just need software or another printed book. He wanted real people alongside him to help create something he would be proud to share.
After deciding to redo his memoir, Derial began researching other companies. That's when something about My Stories Matter immediately stood out.
He could talk to real people. He could ask questions. He could get guidance. And he wouldn't be left to figure everything out alone.
That support made the difference.
Derial did not write A Story of Two Lives simply to record events.
He wanted his family to understand the turning points that shaped him: the challenges of his early life, the importance of faith, the value of marriage and family, the lessons learned through business, and the principles that guided his decisions.
His dedication page says he hoped the book would become "a source of joy, laughter and wisdom" for his family for years to come.
That purpose shaped the project. The goal was not to make the book sound like someone else had written it. The goal was to preserve Derial's voice while making the memoir clearer, easier to read and more enjoyable for his family.
Derial was clear about what he wanted. He did not want someone to rewrite his story, make it sound formal or turn it into something that no longer sounded like him.
In a family memoir, authenticity matters. The book should sound like the person who lived the story.
Our team helped with sentence structure, paragraph breaks, punctuation, grammar, organisation and flow, so the book still sounded like Derial, only easier to read.
Derial's photos carried decades of memories, but many were faded or damaged.
We restored and enhanced them so they would reproduce well in print and feel like an integral part of the book, not an afterthought.
The final book wasn't just printed. It was carefully designed.
We transformed the manuscript from pages of continuous text into a professionally designed memoir with chapter structure, balanced spacing, professional typography, restored photos, and inviting layouts. The result was a book people wanted to pick up and keep reading.
When Derial received the finished copies of A Story of Two Lives from My Stories Matter, the difference was clear.
The outcome
- Family members encouraged one another to read it
- Stories that may never have been shared became part of the family's history
- Friends and colleagues requested copies
- Restored photos brought old memories back to life
- Derial returned to My Stories Matter to create a second edition and ordered more copies
A heartfelt foreword opens Derial's story.
A clear table of contents makes the book easy to explore.
Clean, readable formatting brings his words to life.
Meaningful photo layouts pair images with thoughtful captions.
Chapter openings give each section a beautiful start.
Personal photos and special places are woven throughout the book with care.He also began sharing copies with friends and colleagues.
Many memoir services can help you collect stories. Few help you transform those stories into a book that feels professional, personal, and worthy of passing down.
Derial's experience shows the difference. He had already written the manuscript. He had even published before. What he needed was the right team to help preserve his voice, polish the writing, restore the photos and design a book his family would actually want to read.
The stories were always there. The right support, editing, design and guidance helped turn them into a polished memoir his family could read, enjoy and pass down.
Whether you have a completed manuscript, rough notes, or even a memoir you've already started elsewhere, our team can help.
Discover how we can turn your life story into a book you'll be proud to share.