Beautifully lay out and print your family history book on any budget

In "Beautifully Lay Out and Print Your Family History Book on Any Budget," biographer and storytelling expert Rhonda Lauritzen delivers an insightful and inspiring presentation on how to create stunning, tangible family history books without breaking the bank. Whether you are documenting generations of ancestors or sharing a single life story, Lauritzen offers a comprehensive overview of options and tools available for every budget and skill level. Her approach emphasizes the emotional significance of holding a printed book—preserving family stories in a lasting format that can be treasured for years to come. This webinar is a valuable resource for genealogists seeking practical guidance on publishing family histories with polish and heart.

• Diverse Printing Options for Every Budget: Lauritzen outlines a range of publishing methods, from simple three-ring binders and office supply store printing to sophisticated hardcover books via services like Amazon KDP, Blurb, and university presses. She demystifies the process of print-on-demand and shares cost comparisons, showing how even a single copy can be affordable while still achieving professional quality.
• User-Friendly Layout Tools and Best Practices: The webinar highlights various layout tools, from Microsoft Word and Apple Pages to more advanced options like Blurb’s BookWright and Affinity Publisher. Lauritzen emphasizes the importance of best practices such as justifying text, proper page numbering, and integrating high-resolution images to ensure a polished and readable final product.
• Creative Enhancements to Engage Readers: Lauritzen shares innovative ideas like using Canva for timelines and book covers, sourcing public domain illustrations from resources like the New York Public Library, and incorporating oral histories. She also introduces MyHeritage's MyStories feature and discusses strategies for including photo series or booklets, making the storytelling process accessible and dynamic.

For those ready to take their projects even further, Lauritzen’s syllabus and additional resources provide valuable tools to enhance your publishing journey. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore these supplementary materials, which are thoughtfully designed to help bring your family’s stories to life with clarity, beauty, and lasting impact.