What’s it like to create an heirloom book together? Let some folks with experience tell you...

When I’m not interviewing clients or working directly with families to curate their photos and mementos, I can usually be found at my computer editing and designing your heirloom books.

I get goosebumps when I open a letter or an email from a grateful client. It’s rare that they just say “thanks” and leave it at that. Many wax poetic about the experience and their awe upon receiving the finished book. They almost always express surprise at just how much they actually enjoyed the process of making their book (I try to convey that to prospective clients, but it’s hard to put into words—and why should they trust me, after all, who is trying to sell them a product…?).

Well, let me say that sales is not my thing. I founded Modern Heirloom Books to help people preserve their stories, and sure, it is my livelihood, but it’s my passion first and foremost. So if we’re not a good fit, or you don’t want to move forward, or simply can’t afford to—well, I am not going to give you the hard sell. I may feel bad, I may wish we could have worked together, but it’s got to be a good fit (and timing is so important!).

When I do work with someone, we form a bond—honestly, it’s inevitable. Once trust is established and the stories begin flowing, the bond is initiated. When editing and deeper questions ensue, the bond deepens. And by the end of the process, when a book is almost finished and the excitement is palpable, the bond is even more firmly cemented. How blessed I feel to have a “job” that provides such a sense of connection and meaning.

I’ve been told that I don’t share testimonials from my clients enough. Maybe it’s due partly to a humble nature, perhaps it’s a discomfort with being bold…but I am taking a page from some special fellow creative entrepreneurs and sharing some of the gratitude that’s come my way. It is my hope that you’ll feel comfortable with me, and gain an understanding of what it’s like to work together.

Thank you to ALL of my clients—for trusting me with your stories, and for sharing the love once your project has been completed!

xoxo,
Dawn

Testimonials from past clients: What it’s like to make a Modern Heirloom Book

creating heirlooms to treasure forever

Here’s one I received recently that warmed my heart:

Dear Dawn,

I have just looked through your book again, as I have many times before. As always, I am amazed and gratified by your presentation, layout, and descriptions. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. It is all I could have hoped for—even more! From the Table of Contents through the final comment—I loved it all! (All!!)

I started a list of things I wanted to mention to you but it became so lengthy, I had to give it up!

It is a book to treasure—which I do—and I will always be grateful for the beautiful job you have done. IT IS PERFECT!!

I plan to have a splurge and send a copy to all of my family and friends! Once again, I can’t thank you enough!

Fondly,
Judy D.

a process that involves collaboration & care

Here’s a snippet of a review, speaking especially to the twists and turns a project can take:

Throughout the process, Dawn was a joy to work with. She listened carefully. She was diligent in working up drafts and gathering feedback. She was unfailingly patient. She brought her own ideas and didn’t hesitate to make suggestions. She even went above and beyond to supplement our research and to deal with administrative hassles with printers due to our last-minute requirements. She delivered on time and within budget.

In every interaction, Dawn conveyed that she cared as much about the book as we did.

Dawn is a special bookmaker. If you are looking for someone to create that special story or tribute to someone you care deeply about, look no further.
—Jenny P.

…and another about vision and collaboration:

We didn’t even really know what we wanted in the beginning and Dawn produced an amazing result. It is a pleasure working through the creative process with her.
—Amy H.

…plus one about process:

Dawn was always ready to make the changes that were inevitable when putting a book together, with good cheer. She is quite well organized and intuitively understood order, placement, emphasis vs. less. I was extremely happy with Dawn’s finished product and wholeheartedly recommend her.
—Gahl B.

…and one about writing, editing, and curating:

Dawn is a therapist, a storyteller, a magician, and an artist with words—how she took what we said and wove it into a story. It truly blew us away!

The process of sorting through 27 years of pictures and mementos was joyfully reflective, but what brought it all together was Dawn’s vision.
—Susan M.

…ah, and then there are the interviews!

Dawn is a warm and engaging person who makes it easy to open up during interviews—even for me, a pretty reserved girl!
—Samantha D.

finished products that awe & inspire

Dawn is a consummate interviewer, a terrific storyteller, and understands how to combine the graphic elements. She took the cream and really brought it to the top.
—Vern O.

My book was simply stunning! And Dawn was a joy to collaborate with.
—Lily R.

words that hold meaning—and bring joy, comfort

We all hope we can pass something of value on to family and friends. The tribute book did just that for Ann. She was ecstatic and we all had to fight back tears watching her flip through the book. She shows it off to whoever comes in the house.
—Terry C.

I still tear up when I look at this book, almost a year later. It is my most cherished possession.
—Maria C.

Thank you, Dawn, for sharing your gifts with us, and for becoming a part of our family story.
—Joe M.

The book was like a bear hug from my dad. I can’t wait to share it with my future children some day!
—Kayla V.

Would you like to see firsthand what it’s like to work together to bring your dream book to life? Reach out if your’e interested in sharing your own memories in a life story book; or honoring a loved one through stories in a tribute book. I can’t wait to hear from you!

**Because privacy of my clients is of utmost concern, I have not disclosed last names for these testimonials.

Your mom’s turning 70 and you STILL don’t know what to get her?

Even if you can’t be together on her birthday (due to Covid or any other reason), family members can contribute from all over to create a tribute book honoring your mom on her milestone birthday.

I created tribute books to celebrate milestone birthdays of three well-loved, incredible women last month. One was the wife of my client, who was turning 80, and the couple lives in North Carolina. The other two were moms of separate clients, both celebrating their 60th birthdays and closer to my home in New Jersey.

While they were singular books with different design styles and wildly different approaches to the tributes within, the books had a few integral things in common:

• They oozed with love for the recipients.

• They told stories and shared remembrances that made me, a stranger, feel like I wanted to meet these folks!

• They elicited happy tears—each one, from the gifter and the gifted.

I can’t convey how thrilled I feel when I get feedback like I did from these clients. Tribute books for happy occasions—milestone birthdays and anniversaries, bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings—are such a joy to create, and the joy they engender in those who receive them is beyond compare.

What to get for the person who has everything? A beautiful bespoke tribute book, of course! This is a page from a recent book gifted to a woman on her 80th birthday.

The nitty gritty of creating a tribute gift book

I am always honored and privileged to help my clients gather, organize, and express their tributes for their honoree. And my clients are always a little shocked at how much can go into the process (you think Uncle Ernie will be the last to reply, but he sends his narrative in on day one…but then 10 others are missing, late, or incomplete, two others are missing photos, three others are illegible, and 24 others have photos way too small to reproduce in print!!).

Leaving the logistics to a professional ensures that

• you don’t have to be bothered with nagging follow-ups

• you don’t have to check and recheck photo resolution

• you don’t have to give guidance on what to write and how to optimize images

• you don’t have to sit in front of a computer screen for hours designing your book

• you don’t have to worry that the book won’t print just-right.

All you have to do is take credit when you wrap and give the book to your loved one!

“Ann was ecstatic and we all had to fight back tears…

…watching her flip through the book.

We all hope we can pass something of value on to family and friends. The tribute book did just that for her. She shows the book off to whoever comes in the house.

You went far above and beyond anything that I could have ever imagined.” —Terry C.

Why tribute books are so popular right now

We’ve all been in that situation: We need a special gift for that someone who seems to have everything; but nothing seems special—or unique—enough.

A tribute book telling your loved one just how much they mean to you—and to your tribe—could not be more unique. The messages within are one-of-a-kind. And when crafted in an heirloom book, they become a welcome addition to your family history archive.

When most of our doorstep deliveries are for essential items and we continue to get excited about in-stock toilet paper; when we have spent more time physically separated from family members due to Covid-19 than we ever could have imagined; and when so many of us are getting back in touch with those things that matter most to us—family, connection, a sense of home and security—a gift from the heart resonates more than ever.

I always recommend (and ask for) experiential gifts—traveling together, an outing to the theater or a local garden, a family hike. Those are gifts that mean something, that spark memories and affection. But when a physical gift is in order—when you want to cap off the big birthday party with a memorable unveiling, and when you want to show—really show—your loved one HOW and WHY they are loved—then why not consider a tribute book?

Reach out to see how we can work together to bring your project to life. All it takes is a half-hour phone chat—no pressure, just some questions to help me understand what type of book you envision—and you could be on your way to giving the best gift you’ve ever given. Really!

“The process of sorting through 27 years of pictures…

…and mementos was joyfully reflective, but what brought it all together was Dawn’s vision. Her warm and engaging personality and ability to capture my feelings—and transform them into such a beautiful book—well, let’s just say that our Modern Heirloom exceeded every expectation!” —Susan M.