Frequently Asked Questions
What is a personal biography or biography service?
A personal biography or biography service is a heartfelt way to preserve and celebrate your life story or that of a loved one. At Zikra, we create meaningful, culturally sensitive biographies—whether in the form of a book, audio recording, film, or website—that honor the rich heritage and experiences of Middle Eastern individuals and families.
How does the process work to create a biography product (e.g., book, audio, film, or website)?
Consultation: We begin with a complimentary consultation to deeply understand your unique needs and aspirations.
Initiation: A Project Manager is assigned, and an Interviewer is selected to ensure a natural connection. The project’s format, style, and any additional materials are agreed upon.
Interviews: Expert interviews capture your life story in your preferred language. Depending on the option you choose you will have between 8-14 sessions. Supporting materials like photos, documents, and videos are carefully integrated.
Transcripts: All interviews are then transcribed. You will be asked to review and approve the content of the transcripts before moving to the writing stage.
Writing & Editing: A ghostwriter that reflects the personality and character of the author develops the narrative, and a copyeditor refines it. You review the content at each stage to ensure it meets your expectations.
Design & Production: Visual content is combined with the narrative to create a beautifully designed book, film or website. You approve the final design before it’s produced.
Final Production: Your biography is printed or produced according to the agreed specifications, resulting in a high-quality finished book, film and/or website that can be shared with family and friends.
How long does it take to complete a project?
How much does it cost to create a personal biography?
Our pricing is tailored to your location and specific requirements. We have different options available and can deliver the story at different stages. We work with highly professional specialists to ensure the highest quality and cultural relevance. Please contact us for a personalized quote.
What types of stories or content can be included?
Who conducts the interviews and how long do they last?
How long does it take before someone contacts me with an answer?
Can I include photos or memorabilia in my biography product?
Of course. Photos, documents, and other memorabilia can be beautifully integrated into your book, film, or website. We also include an appendix for important documents—whether it is an ID, school report, ministerial appointment, or personal mementos like messages from loved ones. We can even add unique touches like proverbs or lists of favorite things to make our author’s story more personal and relatable.
Can I arrange a family photo session to include professionally taken portraits in my Zikra book?
Is it possible to speak in one language and have my book/ website transcribed and written in another?
Yes, it is. We offer transcription and translation services that allow you to narrate your story in one language, which we can then transcribe and write in another language of your choice. This ensures your biography is accessible and meaningful to your intended audience.
Can my book, film, or website be produced in multiple languages/versions?
Yes, it can. We transcribe the interviews conducted with you into the language of your choice, even if you narrate your story using a combination of Arabic, English and/or French. The final book, film, or website will be produced in your preferred language. We can also translate your biography into one or more additional languages, if requested, and print the specified number of copies in each language.
Can Zikra help with generating family trees to be included in the book?
Definitely. We can assist in creating detailed family trees. Whether you need multiple family trees—for example, one for your father’s side, one for your mother’s side, and one for your immediate family—we ensure they are accurately produced and elegantly integrated into your biography.
Can I customize the design or appearance of my biography, such as the book cover, website layout, or film style?
Yes, customization is at the heart of our service. You can choose from a range of templates or opt for premium design options to create a product that is uniquely yours, from the cover to the smallest design details.
Can I upgrade my package to include additional formats after I’ve paid?
Yes, we often create biographies that intertwine the stories of close family members. We can tailor the product to reflect the shared experiences and memories of two individuals.
Can the product be about two people?
You will be offered the chance to upgrade your original order to include additional formats (book, website, eBook or audiobook) at various stages throughout the process.
How many copies of the book will I receive? Can I get additional copies or versions in different formats?
Order as few as 50 copies per version of your book, with no upper limit on quantity. You can also choose from various formats tailored to your preferences. We’ll discuss your options to ensure your needs are fully met.
Is my information confidential?
Yes, confidentiality is one of our top priorities and our teams sign a confidentiality agreement before working on each project. Your stories are kept secure and are only shared with your approval.
Can I review the biography before it's printed?
You will have the opportunity to review and approve each stage of the process to ensure the final product perfectly reflects your vision. Approval is required after the following stages:
- Interviewing and Transcribing: You’ll review and approve the transcripts, including any photos and captions, before writing begins.
- Manuscript, film script, or website text writing and editing: The polished manuscript, film script or website text will be sent to you for final approval before moving to the design stage.
- Design: The complete design will be sent to you for review and approval before printing.
If you choose to have your biography translated into a second language, you will also be required to approve that version.
What happens to the recordings or interviews after the biography is finished?
All recordings and interviews are securely stored and will only be used to create your biography. We respect your privacy and will not share them without your explicit consent.
When should I inform Zikra if I want to produce my project in more than one language?
Ideally, it’s best to let us know about any additional languages you wish to commission at the start of the project. This approach is more efficient in terms of both cost and time. However, if you decide to have your book, film, or project translated or produced in another language at a later stage, we are more than happy to accommodate your needs.
