A Christmas Present Your Mother Will Read Twice

For a printed book by Christmas, order by about the end of November with free standard shipping inside the US, or by about the first week of December with express, both estimated. Printing takes about three business days and carriers run slower in December, which is why those dates sit earlier than you would expect. The digital edition arrives within 24 hours on any date.

Nothing in the process contacts the person the book is about. The preview email comes to you, the digital edition goes to your inbox, and the printed book ships to whatever address you choose, so it can go to a sibling's house if yours is not safe in December.

It does not have to be. A novel about her, handed over at Christmas, is the simpler version and the one that still reads in March. If you do want December in it, say so in your answers and the story can be set over a holiday, with the family arriving one chapter at a time.

Yes. One of you answers the questions, which takes about five minutes, and every name goes on the dedication page. Additional copies of the same book cost less when you add them to the same order, so each household can have one and nobody has to share a copy at the table.

You will see it before you pay. We email you when the book is written, about an hour after you answer, and you read the story and pick from the cover options with the chance to change your answers, the title and the cover. After you pay, the book is printed exactly as you approved it, so check the names and spellings then.

The Digital Edition is $29, the Paperback is $39 and the Hardcover is $59. Both printed editions include the digital copy, and standard shipping within the US is free.