Retirement books
A whole career, told by the people who were there.
The first hire, the office neighbor, the ones they mentored. One shared link gathers their stories. One hardcover book says what a plaque never could.
One-time purchase. Everyone you invite contributes free.
She hired me when nobody else would.
her first hire
He answered every question like he had all day.
a colleague of 19 years
Half of what I know, I learned standing at her desk.
a mentee
Ask him about the flood of '09. Go on, ask him.
the office neighbor
What is a retirement story book?
A retirement story book is a hardcover collection of stories and photos about someone's working life, contributed by colleagues, mentees, and friends through a shared link. Each person writes in their own words, and everything is printed as one book, usually presented at the retirement send-off. Kindred Tales retirement books start at $129, and contributors join free.
The book itself
Not a website. A book.
Heavier than a plaque, and better company.
- Matte hardcover
- Color photos throughout
- Premium 80# paper
- Casewrap binding
How it works
One link out, one book back.
Start the book
A few minutes and an email address. Tell us who's retiring, then think of everyone whose work they touched. The list is always longer than you expect.
Share one link
Forward it to the team, the alumni, the people who moved on years ago. Old colleagues have the best stories. Contributors open the link on any phone, write a story or add a photo, and press send. No account, no app, nothing to learn.
We make it a book
You arrange the pages and approve everything before printing. A hardcover arrives in time for the send-off, ready for the speech nobody planned to give.
What it becomes
One page, one voice.
An example of how a single contributed story is typeset in the finished book.
From chapter five
The Monday meeting
My first week, I double-booked the client and the fire inspector. I was sure I was done. She looked at the calendar, looked at me, and said, “Well. The inspector's seen worse.”
Twenty years later I run my own team, and when someone new makes their first big mistake, I hear myself say it: the inspector's seen worse.
Told by her first hire
The Signature keepsake
Some memories are meant to be heard.
Bring colleagues on camera, not just onto the page.
Contributors can record short videos, not just write. A QR code printed in the book plays each video, so their voices stay close to the stories they told. We host the videos securely for ten years, ready whenever someone opens the book and presses play.
One-time purchase. No subscription.
Two ways to make their book.
Both are the same hardcover, filled by the same voices. Signature adds those voices on video.
Essential
The hardcover book, told by everyone.
- Hardcover Celebration Book, color throughout
- One shared link for family and friends to add stories
- Contributors join free, no account or app needed
- Photos placed with the stories they belong to
- You review and arrange every page before it prints
- Matte hardcover, premium paper, made to be kept
Signature
Everything in Essential, plus their voices on video.
- Everything in Essential
- Contributors can record short videos, not just write
- QR codes printed in the book play each video
- Videos hosted for ten years
Rated Excellent (4.5) on Trustpilot.
Questions, answered
What organizers ask.
Who usually organizes it?
Usually one person: a colleague, an assistant, a spouse, or HR. You don't need anyone's permission or a committee. Start the book, share the link, and the stories do the rest.
Do contributors need an account?
No. They open the link on any phone or computer, write their story or add a photo, and press send. No account, no app, no password.
Can people outside the company contribute?
Yes, and they should. Former colleagues, longtime clients, the family that watched the career from home. Anyone with the link can add a story.
How far ahead should we start?
Four to six weeks before the send-off is comfortable. That leaves time for the stragglers, a little arranging, and printing and shipping.
What's the difference between Essential and Signature?
Essential ($129) is the full hardcover book, with a shared link so family and friends can contribute stories and photos. Signature ($189) adds video: colleagues can record short messages, QR codes printed in the book play them, and we host the videos for ten years.
The send-off ends. The book stays on the shelf.
Cake gets eaten and speeches get forgotten. A book of stories from the people they worked beside goes home and stays.
One-time purchase. Everyone you invite contributes free.