Our Members
NSW Full Members
Experienced and professional members of the Life Stories Association.
That’s My Life
That’s My Life
Name: Paul English and Alison Crossley
Description: We produce bespoke life story films between 25 to 40 minutes long presented on an elegantly presented DVD (or USB stick) as well as a secure online version able to be shared and viewed with friends and family. Capturing the essence of the person, the anecdotes, the old photos, the twinkle in the eye and the laughter in the voice.
Location: Austinmer NSW 2515 (near Sydney)
Website: www.thatsmylife.com.au
Email: info@thatsmylife.com.au
Mobile: 0412 088 499
Mark Koehler – Life Story Writing
Mark Koehler – Life Story Writing
Name: Mark Koehler
Description: Widely published, with 30 years’ experience as a ghostwriter/editor and journalist, Mark is thrilled to work with you work with you to bring your memoir to life. He’s the the author of ‘Life is a Story – How to Write Your Memoir’ and ‘The Memoir Kit’ (to get you started). He’ll encourage and collaborate with you through the interviewing and editing process to bring out your authentic voice and achieve a quality result.
Founder of Life Story Writing and founding member of Life Stories Australia.
Location: Shellharbour (Wollongong) NSW
Website: www.lifestorywriting.com.au
Email: mark.koehler@lifestorywriting.com.au
Mobile: 0408 006 211
Libby Harkness – Writer For Hire
Libby Harkness – Writer For Hire
Description: Professional ghostwriter, specialising in life stories/memoirs for commercial publication. 40 years experience as a journalist, editor, writer and published author. More than 35 published works including several best-selling books. Travels nationally and internationally for clients.
Location: Mona Vale, NSW 1660 (Sydney)
Website: www.writerforhire.com.au
Email:libby@writerforhire.com.au
Mobile: 0411 477 200
Gabriella Kelly-Davies – Share your Life story
Gabriella Kelly-Davies – Share your Life story
Description: Gabriella can help you share your story with your loved ones and future generations by bringing your memories to life on the page. She has written family histories and life stories, and also business and medical memoirs. She has studied writing at Oxford and Sydney Universities, runs memoir writing groups, and also mentors writers.
Location: Mosman, NSW 2088 (Sydney)
Website: https://www.shareyourlifestory.com.au/
Email: gabriella@shareyourlifestory.com.au
Mobile: 0408 256 381
Felicity Lenehan – A Way With Words
Felicity Lenehan – A Way With Words
Description: With the aim that everyone should write their life story, Felicity offers affordable, professional options. Felicity can write your life story, with her 30 years of journalist and book writing experience. Or, she offers Life Story Writing Kits, with all the tools needed to write the story yourself, or to record stories with loved ones – for example, grandchildren with grandparents, friends writing shared experiences, a child recording their parent’s story.
Location: North Narrabeen, NSW.
Website: https://www.awaywithwords.net
Email: Felicity@AWayWithWords.net
Mobile: 0403 600 951
NSW Allied Members
Allied members are editors, illustrators, literary agents, publishers, printers and other related occupations supporting life storytelling.
Ian Davies – Balmoral Beach Press
Ian Davies – Balmoral Beach Press
Description: We specialise in book design, printing and publishing for life stories.
We will make your life story into a beautifully designed book that you and future generations will treasure. We can also assist in publishing your story commercially. One of the unique services we offer is digitally remastering black and white photos so that they print in colour, which really brings them to life. We can also design author websites. Other skills: printing, publishing, marketing advice.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Website: https://www.balmoralbeach.press
Email: info@balmoralbeach.press
Phone: 0417 062 837
NSW Associate Members
Associate members are emerging life storytellers who are taking a career pause, just starting out or are undertaking voluntary or hobby life story work.
Louise Rosati hello@thestorycollection.com www.thestorycollection.com
Victoria Full Members
Experienced and professional members of the Life Stories Association.
Gillian Ednie – Your Biography
Gillian Ednie – Your Biography
Description: Your Biography is committed to helping individuals, families and organisations preserve their life stories and values for the benefit of current and future generations. Our goal is to help people record and review the extraordinary and ordinary aspects of their lives, their triumphs and their struggles, and the lessons learned along the way.
Location: Melbourne Victoria
Website: www.yourbiography.com.au
Email: yourbiography@optusnet.com.au
Mobile: 0425 770 605
Ann Bolch – A Story To Tell
Ann Bolch – A Story To Tell
Description: We help writers, business and families tell their stories. Your memoir may be all in your head or you may have been journalling for years. No matter the stage of your story, we help you understand the possibilities and provide a service that responds to your aims, dream and budget. Get in touch to find out how we give voice to people’s stories.
Location: Woodend Victoria 3442
Website: www.astorytotell.com.au
Email: ann@astorytotell.com.au
Phone: 03 542 73336
Deborah Gough – Stories To Keep
Deborah Gough – Stories To Keep
Description: Writer and long-time Age journalist, Deborah uses her skills in interviewing, writing and layout to bring memories and life stories into light. From an in depth interview to a hardcover book set in newspaper-style, Stories to Keep will uncover unknown stories from the family vault and present them in a way to keep forever.
Location: Brunswick, Victoria 3056
Website: www.storiestokeep.com.au
Email: storiestokeepmedia@gmail.com
Phone: 0417 336 997
Des Tobin – Killaghy Publishing
Des Tobin – Killaghy Publishing
Description: Des Tobin spent 45 years in funeral service and is a ‘pioneer’ of Australian death and bereavement educational programs. The author of five biographies and an accomplished public speaker, Des is available for speaking engagements and to write life stories for family or commercial distribution.
Location: Malvern, Victoria 3144
Website: destobin.com.au
Email: destobin@killaghy.com
Phone: 0417510211
Sally-Anne Watson Kane – On Time Typing, Editing and Proofreading
Sally-Anne Watson Kane – On Time Typing, Editing and Proofreading
Description: Scribing life stories while you speak, face to face or via Zoom/phone. Editing your spoken, handwritten or typed story Editing your spoken, handwritten or typed story. Producing your story as a book – including typing, editing, design and self-publishing services. We welcome storytellers of all abilities, backgrounds and levels of English, and and specialise in writing and editing memoirs that include traumatic experiences.
Location: Moe, Gippsland, Vic. Will travel to Central Victoria and Melbourne.
Website:http://www.ontimetyping.com
Email: info@ontimetyping.com
Phone: 0419 337 824
Lindy Schneider – Writer
Lindy Schneider – Writer
Description: Lindy is a freelance writer with a special interest in telling the stories of women, the ordinary and the marginalised. She works with sensitivity and heart to help bring a story to the page – as a writer, ghostwriter and coach – and has experience in self-publishing and book marketing. She has more than 25 years’ experience and a passion for memoir and writing as a method of healing.
Location: Warburton, Yarra Valley
Website: www.lindyschneider.com.au
Email: lindy@lindyschneider.com.au
Mobile: 0417 365 697
Renée Otmar – writer, editor & coach
Renée Otmar – writer, editor & coach
Description: Every life has a legacy. Personal, professional and family stories are important opportunities for healing, sharing and documenting our local and national histories. I’ve been a professional writer and editor for 30+ years. I specialise in helping retired professionals and organisations to preserve their legacy and share their contributions with the world: auto/biographies, memoirs, tributes, life stories, anniversaries and service histories.
Location: Mt Duneed, Victoria (Greater Geelong region)
Website: reneeotmar.com.au
Email: writer-editor@reneeotmar.com.au
Mobile: 0409 792 799
Susan Pierotti – Creative Text Solutions
Susan Pierotti – Creative Text Solutions
Description: Creative Text Solutions is your self-publishing advice hub. Established by Susan Pierotti, Creative Text Solutions partners with authors and storytellers to get that idea into the head to a book in the hand. Susan is an Accredited Editor with the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd).
Location: Box Hill North, Victoria 3129
Website: www.creativetext.com.au
Email: susan@creativetext.com.au
Phone: 0437 127 159
Imelda Cribbin
Imelda Cribbin
Description: As a first-generation Australian, I have a passion for family history, trees, stories and memoirs. Recording your history and journey through life’s various stages can have a profound effect on your loved ones and the generations who follow. Let me help you write, publish and share your personal experiences and stories—opening doors to your uniqueness, as well as the many inherited family traits passed on over time.
Location: Upwey, Vic
Website: imeldacribbin.com.au
Email: cribbin.imelda@gmail.com
Phone: 0419 397 558
Victoria Allied Members
Allied members are editors, illustrators, literary agents, publishers, printers and other related occupations supporting life storytelling.
Victoria Associate Members
Associate members are emerging life storytellers who are taking a career pause, just starting out or are undertaking voluntary or hobby life story work.
Sylvia Schaffarczyk phdprofessionals@gmail.com
Ian Ferguson
Sandra Dexter 0428 592 329, sjdexter3@gmail.com
Queensland Full Members
Experienced and professional members of the Life Stories Association.
Michael Taylor – Number 41
Michael Taylor – Number 41
Description: Michael is a full-time writer who specialises in biographies and memoirs. He gathers the jigsaw pieces of a life and puts them together to make a readable and entertaining story of a person’s life.
Location: Cooroy Qld 4563
Website: https://www.number41.com.au
Email: number41.lifestory@gmail.com
Phone: 0413 994 329
Vicki MacPherson – Your Story Told
Vicki MacPherson – Your Story Told
Description: Vicki provides a service sitting and listening to the stories of (mostly) older people and records them (in voice) and written form into a published form of their choice. Her services provide an outlet for people in residential care and their families to tell their story and help reconciliation and healing.
Location: Samford Valley Qld
Website:https://www.facebook.com/publishmystory
Email: vickiandmacka@gmail.com
Mobile: 0428 912 233
Robin Storey – Storey-Lines
Robin Storey – Storey-Lines
Description: An author and life story writer, Robin has been in the writing industry for over thirty years. With compassion and empathy, she will transform your life experiences into a story that will move and delight you, while keeping in mind that it is your story to be told the way you want.
Location: Maroochydore
Website: http://storey-lines.com
Email: robin@altosoft.com.au
Mobile: 0402 937 773
Jacquelin Melilli – Jacq of all Trades, Master of Writing
Jacquelin Melilli – Jacq of all Trades, Master of Writing
Description: In business since 2002, I’m an author, editor, ghostwriter and writing coach with a Master of Arts degree. I believe everyone’s life has a purpose. By sharing your story, skills and wisdom, you are not only leaving your legacy but blessing others. My job is to help you leave your mark either in the written word, through visual storytelling, your artwork, or music. Let me help you shine.
Location: Gold Coast.
Website: www.jacqx.com
Email: info@jacqx.com
Queensland Allied member
Allied members are editors, illustrators, literary agents, publishers, printers and other related occupations supporting life storytelling.
Margie Riley – Better Manuscript Editing
Margie Riley – Better Manuscript Editing
Description: A reader for as long as she can remember, Margie’s developed a deep love of the written word. She’s a founder member of a local book club which is celebrating its 35th year. Margie’s helped many clients while editing their work and has worked closely with those writing autobiographies and biographies.
Location: Tewantin Qld
Website: www.bettermanuscriptediting.com.au
Email: theproofreadingguru@gmail.com
Mobile: 0438 291 147
Margie Cosgrave – Word Polish
Margie Cosgrave – Word Polish
Description: Margie is a freelance copy editor and proofreader with an 18-year background in human-focused charitable organisations. She has always been deeply drawn to people’s stories and diverse personal, social and cultural experiences, studied foreign languages at university and has an incurable drive to improve written expression. Respecting writers’ responsibility to honour their clients’ stories and wishes, she works sensitively to help bring the story-telling process to a profoundly satisfying conclusion. Basic proficiency in German and Indonesian.
Location: Lake McDonald Qld
Website: www.margiewordpolish.com.au
Email: margie@margiewordpolish.com.au
Mobile: 0417 956 567
Queensland Associate Members
Associate members are emerging life storytellers who are taking a career pause, just starting out or are undertaking voluntary or hobby life story work.
Simonne Celestine, 07 5442 5367, simonnecelestine@iinet.net.au
South Australia Full Members
Experienced and professional members of the Life Stories Association.
Heather Millar – Life Stories Ink
Heather Millar – Life Stories Ink
Description: Heather is a ghostwriter and editor of memoir, biography, life stories and other non-fiction works. She is a former managing editor for publishing companies in both Australia and the UK. An IPEd accredited editor and qualified counsellor, Heather has worked with people who are palliative and also has a particular interest in stories about trauma, recovery and self-help.
Location: Aldinga Beach (travels to clients throughout Australia)
Website: lifestoriesink.com.au
Email: heather@lifestoriesink.com.au
Mobile: 0409 196 401
Luisa Redford – It’s Your Story
Luisa Redford – It’s Your Story
Description: From a 100-word bio to an 80,000-word manuscript I offer packages to suit all needs. I will produce a stunning life story for you, or write your own with one of my online workshops. What a gift it is to weave your cherished memories into a rich narrative to be shared with family and friends.
Location: Aldinga, SA
Website: www.itsyourstory.com.au
Email: luisa.redford@gmail.com
Phone: 0439 681 560
Louise Barker – Stories of Our Lives
Louise Barker – Stories of Our Lives
Description: Stories are the threads of connection. Louise records and writes life stories with sensitivity and creativity preserving your voice throughout. She also runs Guided Autobiography programs assisting you to write your own life story in a supportive group setting. Louise is also a genealogist, bringing ancestors to life through story. A clinical Social Worker, Louise also has qualifications in Sociology, Family History and Guided Autobiography.
Location: Eden Hills, SA
Website: www. storiesofourlives.com.au
Email: louise@storiesofourlives.com.au
Phone: 0468 341 441
Angela Mules – Treasured Tales
Angela Mules – Treasured Tales
Description: Treasured Tales is a videography business that captures treasured people and their life stories.
How many times have you heard someone say they wish they’d written down the stories their parents told them over the years?
Gift your story to your family, so these stories are captured and remembered forever.
In a cinematic style, we video you telling your story in your place of choice.
We offer a short or longer version of video and high-resolution photos.
We can’t wait to hear your story!
Location: Dulwich, SA
Website: www.treasuredtales.com.au
Email: angela@treasuredtales.com.au
Phone: 0408 082 549
Tasmania Full Members
Experienced and professional members of the Life Stories Association.
Michael Collins – Memoirs & Writing
Michael Collins – Memoirs & Writing
Description: Years of writing memoirs, books, short stories, and commercial copy have taught me that my empathy, humour, and pragmatism are attributes greatly appreciated by my clients and their readers. Combine that with the story you want to tell and we have a team – you and I.
Together, and in total confidence, we collaborate to tell your story in your way and your voice.
Location: Hobart (travels to clients throughout Australia)
Website: www.mcmemoirs.com.au
Email: ghostwritermc@gmail.com
Mobile: 0412 487 975
Western Australia Full Members
Experienced and professional members of the Life Stories Association.
Rhuwina Griffiths – This is Your Life Story
Rhuwina Griffiths – This is Your Life Story
Description: Rhuwina is a ghostwriter and life story mentor with over 25 years’ experience in research, writing, and running life story courses and workshops. She is passionate about empowering people with the skills to write interesting and engaging stories about themselves and their family and to have fun while being creative.
Location: Perth
Website: www.thisisyourlifestory.com
Email: rhu@thisisyourlifestory.com
Phone: 08 9332 1986
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