Forget Me Not Life Stories Testimonials
"A champion job all round"
I’m very pleased I did it (Like That! My Life Story by Jock Elvin – Ed). The family have found some of the content to be quite fascinating. I’m also pleased with Kate from Forget Me Not Life Stories' service. A champion job all round.
Jock Elvin
Life Story Writer: Kate McCarthy
"For my whole family, now and forever"
The service provided by Forget Me Not Life Stories was excellent. Kate was encouraging but not imposing, and I am proud of the finished printed book. The biggest benefit has been able to express my thoughts and feelings without discrimination.
The finished book is excellent, the appropriate photos are all displayed in the right place, and my uncle’s poem included with professional display. The benefit of this book will be for my whole family, now and forever. Thank you for your expertise and professionalism.
Margaret Houghton
Life Story Writer: Kate McCarthy
Professional and pleasant service
Sharing my life story with my family has meant more than I anticipated – what great memories! I’m very pleased with the finished book and its features. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience working with Kate who provided a very professional and pleasant service.
Margaret McNaughton
Life Story Writer: Kate McCarthy
A lovely publication
I always had the inclination to have my life story put onto paper, but having never been a great scribe I never got motivated to do it. Kate was very helpful with interviews, of which there were a few, and it all came together. It’s a lovely publication, and Kate has done a great job for me.
I owe it to my family to give them copies so my grandchildren and great-grandchildren who don’t know a lot about my life will have something to refer to.
John Whiteman
Life Story Writer: Kate McCarthy
The Sweet and Sour of a Life
Kate and I worked collaboratively to achieve the final result which I am very happy with. We moulded the book into a good, easy read. It is well designed and the photos have added well to the text. Kate was very patient with me!
David Hoyes
Life Story Writer: Kate McCarthy
"The whole project was most enjoyable"
Working with Sarah was great. She asked the right questions to make the book flow. I cannot fault any aspects of our work together. I'm very pleased with the finished book which will be shared by a variety of friends and family and will be a record of interest for the wider community.
John White
Life Story Writer: Sarah Ryder
Click here to purchase John's book: A Bloody Opportunist .
My journey through life
Kate was very easy to get along with and I enjoyed her visits. She was easy to talk to and good at suggesting things that helped prod my memory.
The sharing of my life story has meant I now have a record of it, particularly as my grandfather and great-grandfather left a record of theirs.
My finished book is very nicely presented and I will be happy to pass it on to future generations.
Muriel O'Driscoll
Life Story Writer: Kate McCarthy
"A very good story for my family"
The service received to produce my book was very good. It is well presented and all that was needed. We had good relations with Sarah and it is, I hope, a very good story for my family.”
Duncan Urquhart
Life Story Writer: Sarah Ryder
"One hundred percent-plus"
The service received to produce my book from inception to finish was one hundred percent-plus.
Sarah is a special person and we hit it off from day one. It was a pleasure.
The finished product has exceeded my expectations.
Stewart McSkimming
Life Story Writer: Sarah Ryder
Stewart's book Go Hard or Go Home is being used as a fundraiser for the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust that Stewart is an ambassador for.
Trip down memory lane
The service I received to produce my book was excellent, and Samantha was very good to work with.
My book is a trip down memory lane, and it’s great to have access to the past all together rather than spread around!
Gail Hussey
Life Story Writer: Samantha Cutler
"Exceeded my expectations"
I had for some time wanted to share my story with my children, and now I have adult grandchildren and great-grandchildren growing up.
Kate quickly gained my confidence and as a result it became easier and easier to talk about my life with her. The production of my book went more smoothly than I had expected, and the end result was very professional and exceeded my expectations. Overall the presentation was excellent.
Tom Russell
Life Story Writer: Kate McCarthy
"First class service"
The service I received was first class. Kate was easy to talk to and on the same wavelength during our discussions. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren will now know what we did during our working life and before.
Ted Parker
Life Story Writer: Kate McCarthy
A promise fulfilled
I completed a promise to my granddaughter, and have now left a legacy for my family. My book has a lovely standard of photographs.
Samantha was efficient and informative of each phase of production.
Kathy Pederson
Life Story Writer: Samantha Cutler
"Love what you do"
Barbara Wilson, a weaver and spinner, has written 'From Tragedy to Success' with the help of Forget Me Not Life Stories, telling a personal story of great tragedy and loss, and how she managed to overcome it and rebuild her life.
"When I was first introduced to Kate McCarthy I knew I was going to enjoy working with her in all aspects of the book. Now that it is printed with fantastic feedback, I would recommend Forget Me Not Life Stories to anyone."
Barbara Wilson
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
An Odyssey
"Samantha was good to work with, and very professional. We particularly like the early history section of our book, and we think our grandchildren will benefit from reading our story."
Franciscus and Johanna Overwater
Life Story writer: Samantha Cutler
From Far Off Grassy Plains
My book is exactly me – it has made me think about my life and has been well designed with many memorable photos. I’ve been able to give the completed book to my family and friends and have received great feedback. Samantha was excellent and easy to work with.
Ian Bickle
Life Story writer: Samantha Cutler
In Retrospect
Kate McCarthy is very professional in all aspects of bringing together a book.
She is a good listener, while giving confidence and urging the progression along i.e. requesting homework and research between meetings. The co-ordination and timing with the design company and then the printing company was exemplary.
Kate’s patience and diplomacy throughout the eighteen months it took to complete made the process enjoyable.
I have no hesitancy in recommending Kate.
Diane Comber
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Thrilled
"I was proud to be signing a book of such high quality. I was thrilled with the professional assistance I received in putting together my story. Kate accepted and developed my idea of keeping it light, easy to read and tying together photos and dialogue. Thank you Kate."
Brian Cotter
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Enjoyed the process
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Samantha on my life story - From There to Here. My family was excited about the book launch."
Iris Gordon
Life Story writer: Samantha Cutler
I'd recommend Kate unreservedly for her patience and warmth of personality
"I recommend Forget Me Not Life Stories unreservedly to anyone who wishes to do an autobiography, particularly Kate McCarthy for her patience, understanding, guidance and warmth of personality when we worked together on my book, Journey into the Unknown."
- Sid Pavett
Rare Glimpse
Memories of Gallipoli was compiled from autograph books which belonged to Sister Florence Duckett, a nursing sister on the hospital ship HMHS Galeka in WW1. Memories of Gallipoli is a unique personal collection of autographs, notes, cartoons and poems penned by soldiers from the Gallipoli campaign. Endorsed by the RSA of NZ and with a Foreword by Sir Jerry Mateparae, the book provides a rare glimpse into a war fought long ago.
Read testimonials about our Writers on their pages
Bright Sunlight, Dark Shadow
A book written to not only detail her story - but to help others.
Judy Hale, a 78-year-old Cambridge grandmother lost her senses of sight, smell, and taste 32 years ago and with the help of Samantha Cutler of Forget Me Not Life Stories captured the journey of facing the future without sight.
Wanting to help others, Judy will donate proceeds of her book to Blind and Low Vision NZ and specifically its Guide Dog Services.
"Samantha Cutler, you have done an excellent job piecing together Judy's Story. I also love the format that it’s printed in, ideal for those of us with failing vision. I am proud to call Judy and Utah my 'friends'." - Sue Collier, Chairperson for Cambridge Blind & Vision Impaired Support Group