Hi, I’m Janette.
I created Storyline Legacy Books to help you preserve your family’s stories. Through thoughtfully guided conversations, I help your parents share their life stories—the triumphs, challenges, quiet moments of grace, and lessons learned along the way.
My professional interview approach helps unlock memories that might otherwise remain untold. Through careful editing, I transform these conversations into a beautifully crafted book your family will treasure for generations.
Your Trusted Writer, with Years of Experience
I bring years of experience from working with two highly exclusive luxury boutique publishers before embarking on my independent journey.
My passion for publishing ignited when I worked for a small memoir company early in my career. There, I recognized the importance of recording family histories, spending countless hours transcribing interviews with a foot pedal.
My professional journey led me to Germany, where I had the privilege of working with Steidl Publishers, a globally recognized photo book publisher. Under the expert guidance of Steidl, known for his uncompromising standards, I refined my book design skills and cultivated an unwavering attention to detail.
I also served as the Copy Editor and Image Archivist for an NHL franchise, where I managed the team’s historic photo collections and documented significant events, including meeting and photographing the original Stanley Cup-winning members at their 25th reunion. My role expanded to being the in-house photographer, with my work even featured on the television show Jeopardy! through a photo of the team’s iconic arena.
I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Photography from Emily Carr University in Vancouver, Canada, where I immersed myself in traditional film photography, spending countless hours in darkrooms mastering B&W and colour printing techniques.
More recently, I earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Communications and Professional Writing, further sharpening my writing and editing skills.
Educational Background
Why it matters…
With extensive experience in photo retouching, image archiving, writing, editing, and high-quality book production, I am equipped to handle every aspect of your book project.
Each project starts as a puzzle—from deciding which stories to include and structuring them to designing the best layout for your photos. My greatest strength lies in devising creative and elegant solutions for every challenge presented.
Let’s connect!
Books have always been a part of my life.
Growing up in northern British Columbia, we endured long, dark, and cold winters. The log home my dad built for our family was heated only by a wood-burning stove. I spent many of those winter afternoons indoors, reading books and writing stories on my Smith Corona typewriter.
To this day, I regret not keeping any of those typed stories. They might not have been masterpieces, but they marked the beginning of my journey. It would’ve been nice to share them with my daughter someday.
Reflecting on the last four decades of my life, I like to think of different seasons as chapters. Unfortunately, once I close a chapter, I often forget to reflect on it. We’re so ingrained to keep moving toward new goals in life and our careers that we rarely look back to see how far we've come.
For example, some of my chapters might include “Building Forts and Riding Horses,” “Backpacking Through Japan,” and “Learning from the Best: Book Publishing in Germany,” followed by “Finding Hope in Less Vegas,” the first book I ever published.
So now, let me ask you, what would your chapters look like?
Do you ever wish you had saved something sentimental or meaningful from your past, knowing you'll never be able to get it back? Or maybe you’ve lost someone close to you, along with all their memories and stories. I felt this way when my last grandparent passed away.
Our grandparents have so much knowledge and wisdom to pass on from everything they've witnessed and experienced in their lives.
If this resonates with you, know that I've got your back. Whether you’re preserving your life’s adventures or your family history, I'm here for you.
Janette Ryan, CEO and Lead Editor
Writing tips to get you started:
Writing a memoir requires thinking about how you plan to structure your story. This is why an autobiography can seem much more straightforward. The typical structure for most autobiographies is chronological. However, with a memoir, you have a lot more creative freedom.