Preserve their stories while you still can, in a book your family keeps forever.
Has one of your parents ever made a casual reference to something uniquely interesting about your family's history, then never gone into detail? Maybe it wasn't the right time, or they brushed it off with "your grandpa's really the one to ask." Whatever the reason, you got a tidbit-sized glance into your family's life when what you really wanted was the double-double and the entire box of doughnuts.
You tell yourself you'll sit down and ask properly one day. That day keeps not coming, and even if it did, you might not know what to ask, or how to preserve the answers so they last for generations. I know which questions to ask, how to ask them, and how to keep the answers, whether that's a raw, honest record for your own family archive, or a fully designed keepsake book you can hand to your kids.
Two ways to work together
Start small, or go all in on a full keepsake book. Either way, it's your loved one's stories, preserved.
Guided Interview Package
$400
Four hours of warm, guided interview sessions with your loved one. I ask the questions and keep the conversation flowing so nothing important goes unasked. You receive the full audio recordings plus all automatically generated transcripts to build your own family history project.
Does not include a written manuscript, photos, or a designed and printed book. This is the conversation itself, captured and preserved.
Keepsake Book
Starts at $9,500
Interviews, a professionally written narrative, personal photos, revisions, and a beautifully designed coffee-table book, printed for your family. You keep every audio and video recording too.
Many families start with the Guided Interview Package, then use those conversations as the foundation for a full Keepsake Book later.
Here's how it happens.
First, we uncover what makes them so dang special
We start with a questionnaire where you lay out exactly what makes your loved one so amazing, and dish on whichever stories you've always wanted to hear more about but couldn't quite figure out how to ask.
Then, they get the star interviewee treatment
They'll sit cozy with a cup of coffee (or maybe a bottle of gin, no judgment) and recount the most interesting bits of their life to an active, excited listener. That's me, your personal storyteller.
Finally, their stories are preserved forever
When the grandkids ask what grandma or grandpa really did back in the day, you'll be able to pull out their exact story, told in their own words.
After their stories are preserved, you'll feel...
A few things families tell me, once it's done.
That you didn't leave any burning questions unasked before it was too late. (No judgment if yours are all about Great Aunt Sherry's famous casserole.)
At the new details you discover about your family's history. (Wait, Nana produced and starred in her own soap opera?)
That you finally know the answer to everything you've always been curious about. (So that's why Opa swore he'd never wear shorts again.)
That these stories won't be lost, and can be passed down to your kids, and their kids, and so on.
Founded in 2022, after learning how many stories go untold.
I'm Vickie Veldhoen. I founded Questions Unasked after losing my own mother young and later becoming a parent myself, which made me acutely aware of how many stories go untold simply because no one asked in time.
I hold an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Goddard College, and my writing has appeared in the Pitkin Review, The Gauntlet, and xoJane. Since founding Questions Unasked, I've written, edited, and designed custom memoir and legacy books for families. This is work I care about personally, not just professionally.
Kyle Paoletta, Journalist & Author"Working with Vickie on a memoir for my grandparents was an incredible experience!
For years, I've wanted to help them capture their wonderful stories about living abroad, but it seemed like too much work for them to do all that writing, and I knew I wouldn't be able to take on hours of interviews. Getting Vickie involved was exactly the right choice. Over a few thoughtful calls, she even prompted them to remember anecdotes and incidents most of the family had never heard before, in addition to capturing the classics!
One thing I didn't expect was just how much my grandparents loved talking with Vickie. They couldn't stop telling me about how much they looked forward to their interviews, and the whole family loved seeing the fun they had getting to relive their memories.
After the interviews were done, Vickie put together a really clear and compelling manuscript that will be a family treasure. It feels so good to know that we'll be able to keep their stories, and the audio recordings, forever."
"I learned that my father-in-law has nearly died four separate times. Those are experiences no one else can speak to. I'm glad my daughter will still have his voice to learn from when she's older."Mike S.
"We just presented the books to everyone and, unsurprisingly, they were a big hit! Everyone is so delighted and touched to have a keepsake of our favourite family matriarch."Julienne Torres
Frequently asked
What's the difference between the two packages?
The Guided Interview Package gives you the raw conversations, audio and transcript, so you can build your own project. The Keepsake Book is the full experience: written narrative, photos, design, and printed copies.
Can the Interview Package become a full book later?
Yes. Many families start there and upgrade once they see how the conversations go.
Where are the interviews conducted?
Usually by phone or Zoom, but for the right person, I'm also open to traveling to meet in person.
What if my loved one is nervous about being interviewed?
Talk to them about how important it is to you that their stories aren't forgotten, and how meaningful this keepsake would be to pass down. That's usually enough to ease the nerves. If the issue is stronger objection rather than nervousness, we can't move forward with the project.
What if my loved one has dementia, Alzheimer's, or other memory issues?
In this case, I'd recommend the book be built from other family members talking about your loved one, rather than your loved one directly.
My loved one has passed away. Can you still write a book about them?
Yes, I can create a memorial book. Since these tend to involve more than one interviewee, we'd discuss what you need and build a custom package.
Does it have to be a parent or grandparent?
Not at all. Aunt, uncle, cousin, mentor, whoever's stories you want immortalized, this service is for that.
Can I do this for myself instead of a family member?
Yes, absolutely. If you want your own stories passed down to your children and grandchildren, this is your service too.
How long does a Keepsake Book take?
Typically 3 to 6 months from kickoff to final printed book.
I'd like to talk to you about my project. How do I contact you?
Reach out through the contact form here, and we'll schedule a no-pressure call to talk it through.
Looking for a published, sellable book instead of a family keepsake? See the Ghostwriting page →