Rosia Curtis – a local writer based in BS6 – has just launched a biography and memorial book company. The company, ‘Carrina’s Book’, will bring people’s stories to life, preserving memories for generations to come.
The company provides a complete ghostwriting service for clients, overseeing the writing process as well as the printing and delivery of beautiful hardback books.
Rosia has worked as a ghostwriter for over a decade, most notably as a Senior Writer for a London-based biography company. She has ghostwritten for a broad array of clients – including a politician, an author, a freedom fighter, a war veteran, a number of high-profile businesspeople, and the general public. She has also written several memorial books, in honour of those who have died.
The memorial book work resonates with Rosia, who lost her big sister Carrina in 2006, aged just 23. Rosia says, ‘Over the years, I’ve thought about ways to commemorate my sister. After working on memorial books, I’ve realised how natural and important this work feels to me. It is a real honour to work with bereaved families and friends to preserve the memories of their loved ones, and this work also connects me to my sister and to my own experience of loss.’ A proportion of each book fee will also go to charities that feel connected to Carrina.
As she embarks on her new venture, Rosia will create ‘Carrina’s Book’ itself, collating stories, memories and photos of Carrina, and helping her children learn more about the aunt that they never got to meet.
Rosia envisages that most books produced by her company will record the lives of living people. She says, ‘My typical clients are individuals who want to record their parents’ life stories, or people who feel ready to share their own story. Everyone has a story to tell. We all contain a unique and fascinating story; my job is simply to bring these to life.’
Carrina’s Book currently offers three book packages, ranging from 15,000 words to 40,000 words, with bespoke options available. The packages include client interviews and the planning/writing of the draft, as well as the creation of hardback full-colour books. These are professionally proofread, designed and printed, before being sent to the client. Rosia says, ‘We work with each client to ensure that we are creating the exact book that they want. This includes honouring their decisions on the outline/style/tone of the book, plus having regular check-ins to ensure they are happy with everything.’
Rosia believes that there are certain things that set her company apart. She says, ‘As some biography companies embrace automation and AI, Carrina’s Book is all about humanness. It’s about working sensitively and empathically with each client, putting their needs and desires at the heart of all we do, and ensuring that each draft is written by a human!’ She also believes that the memorial book focus sets it apart, ‘Biography companies will always write books about people who have died, but I think it’s essential that writers can understand and relate to bereavement. When we’re working with such sensitive material, that personal experience makes a big difference.’
Rosia is excited to be embarking on this new venture. She says, ‘It makes such a difference to people’s lives when they share their story or the story of a loved one. The process is very reflective, and it can also be healing and cathartic. The books leave a legacy, and that is priceless. They are treasured by individuals, their children/families, and generations to come. I cannot wait to bring more hidden stories to life.’
For more information, please visit: www.carrinasbook.co.uk
Rosia also provides writing services to charities and businesses. See here: www.rosiacurtis.co.uk