Living Narratives

Living Narratives Helping people to tell and self-publish their life story

A life story isn't always a personal story of an individual – it can be the story of an organisation and it's growth or ...
21/04/2026

A life story isn't always a personal story of an individual – it can be the story of an organisation and it's growth or journey; or the stories of a group of people working for a united purpose.

Last year we worked on the layout / design of a book for Drowning Prevention Auckland, which was both – a story of the organisation's 30 years of impact on water safety and drowning prevention awareness; and the individual stories of the thought leaders who have shaped Drowning Prevention Auckland's work over the years.

You can read the book online here: www.dpanz.org.nz/30-year-book

We've been REALLY quiet here on social media...But we're still here, still designing beautiful books for people who have...
17/04/2026

We've been REALLY quiet here on social media.
..But we're still here, still designing beautiful books for people who have written their life story.

👋 Hi! I'm Imelda, owner of Living Narratives. If you've written your life story, I'd love to have a chat with you about what's next... maybe you'd like to turn your story into a tangible book that you can hold in your hands and share with your loved ones?

I love a good story, and believe we all have a story to tell. Where are you at with yours?

'A Heart That Broke Free' by Liz Fry is a memoir and guide to help you reclaim your joy, wholeness, and reconnection wit...
07/05/2025

'A Heart That Broke Free' by Liz Fry is a memoir and guide to help you reclaim your joy, wholeness, and reconnection with your true self and enoughness.

Liz shares from her own personal journey of healing, struggle and breakthrough.

The cover was designed by Imelda (of Living Narratives and Two Sparrows : Graphic Design and features a piece of art that holds a lot of meaning for Liz.

To get yourself a copy for $35+p&p, visit www.liz-fry.com .

When we design a book, every part of the story is an opportunity to create something a little interesting. Positioning o...
01/05/2025

When we design a book, every part of the story is an opportunity to create something a little interesting. Positioning of chapter headings, page numbers, justified or non-justified text... there's so many ways to make your words come to life on the page.

Are you ready to see your story turned into a book? Talk to us about it!

Pictured: Interior page layout of 'Faith After Forty' by Simon Greeening. Available at www.faith-after-forty.com

For small quantities, hardcover binding is a really great option for your book, and there are lots of ways to add a spec...
07/01/2025

For small quantities, hardcover binding is a really great option for your book, and there are lots of ways to add a special touch to make it unique.

This was a lovely project to work on at the end of 2024.

It was extra special being able to design this collection of short diary entries into a format that will stand the test of time. Bound by artisan bookbinder Louise at The Binding Studio, we are in love with how these books came out.

Have a look at a couple of shots of the binding process... each book takes a lot of careful and expert handling!

This book was years in the making, and is extremely special! Malama is a close friend of my late father. She was diagnos...
13/12/2024

This book was years in the making, and is extremely special!

Malama is a close friend of my late father. She was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease in 2013. While her mind is sharp, Malama has lost the use of her voice and motor control and therefore is unable to form words for herself. What makes this book a truly amazing feat, is that it is written in Malama's words, via a labourious process where my father would use an alphabet chart with whatever cues Malama was able to give him to spell, guess and confirm what she wanted to say. Needless to say, this took many, many sessions, over many years.

Living Narratives did the easy part: turning their years of work into a book that the family now have to treasure for generations to come.

We love books here, and really, what can be better than curling up with a good book on a cold day?Even better when that ...
05/08/2024

We love books here, and really, what can be better than curling up with a good book on a cold day?

Even better when that book has been written by someone you know, someone close to you, whose story is interlinked with your own. What will you learn about your loved one? What will you learn about yourself?

At Living Narratives, we help you turn your story into a book that will survive for future generations to benefit from. Never underestimate the impact your unique shared experience could have!

Wishing you all a Matariki weekend of whānau, kai and the sharing of memories. Ngā mihi o Matarikix Living Narratives
27/06/2024

Wishing you all a Matariki weekend of whānau, kai and the sharing of memories.

Ngā mihi o Matariki
x Living Narratives

What shape would your story take? Words describe your emotions and experiences and give you a voice; photos are evocativ...
22/04/2024

What shape would your story take? Words describe your emotions and experiences and give you a voice; photos are evocative of memories, places, lifestyles and time periods. Putting these together into a book gives you an heirloom that all ages can enjoy.

Are you ready to create your own piece of history? We'd be honoured to help you turn your story into a book like this one.

Are you a bit unsure where to start with writing your life story? It doesn't have to cover your whole life, you could ch...
11/03/2024

Are you a bit unsure where to start with writing your life story?

It doesn't have to cover your whole life, you could choose something special to you and build your story around that... perhaps your Christmas memories, or the memories made around your table (and include your favourite recipes). Maybe you could write your advice to the next generation, or a love letter to your great-great-great grandchild that you'll never meet.

Be creative, give it a go, and enjoy the process!

Happy International Women's Day! A good reminder to appreciate the women close to us, those known to us, those we'll bru...
07/03/2024

Happy International Women's Day!

A good reminder to appreciate the women close to us, those known to us, those we'll brush shoulders with during the day and those following in our footsteps.

I'm also reminded to marvel at the beauty in our differences and to take the opportunity to find connections with each other through shared stories.

Writing your life story takes time, love, and attention. Sometimes it might feel like you're getting nowhere, and at oth...
06/03/2024

Writing your life story takes time, love, and attention. Sometimes it might feel like you're getting nowhere, and at other times, the words will flow.

Allow yourself time, put it aside for a bit, come back to it later, and slowly you'll start to see the threads coming together... piece-by-pice, colour-by-colour.

And then, after a while, you'll realise you've created something whole, beautiful... done.

Photo by Gio Gix on Unsplash

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Auckland
0618

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