BESPOKE WRITING AND DESIGNPersonal letters and memory books, created with you
For the words you want to leave behind, and the stories held in photographs, papers and meaningful objects.
Through calm, guided conversations, I help you create a personal letter in your own voice or a carefully edited and designed memory book: something tangible that can be read, held, and kept.
30 minutes · online · no obligation · not recorded
Perhaps you know it matters, but not where to begin
You may know there are things you want someone to understand, but find it difficult to put them into words.
Or perhaps you have inherited photographs, letters and other fragments of a life, but do not know how to bring them together in a meaningful way.
You do not need to arrive with a finished idea. I will help you decide what to include, ask the questions that bring the memories closer, and shape what you share into something coherent and lasting.
Whether you want to put your own words into a letter or bring inherited photographs and memories into a book, we begin with what you already have.
You do not need to know exactly what the finished piece should look like yet.
What would you like to create?
TWO WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER01 | A PERSONAL LETTERSay what matters, in your words
A personal letter gives you space to tell someone what they have meant to you, share memories you want them to carry or put into words something that has been difficult to say.
It may hold love, gratitude, guidance or goodbye. You talk; I listen and shape what you share into a letter that remains recognisably yours.
What is included
One private conversation of up to 90 minutes
A personal letter of approximately 1,200–1,800 words
Writing, editing and professional typesetting
One complete revision round
A digital copy and one printed keepsake
Your first draft: within two weeks
€650 including VAT
Longer or additional letters can be quoted separately.
02 | A MEMORY BOOKBring photographs and fragments into a story people can follow
A memory book brings selected photographs, letters, documents, and recollections together in a carefully edited and designed book.
It might preserve one person, period, relationship or familiar place. Together, we decide what belongs, uncover the stories behind the material and create a book that feels personal and coherent.
What is included
One or two guided story conversations
Selection of up to 30 photographs or items
Writing and editing of stories and captions
Image preparation and bespoke design of 32–48 pages
One revision, a digital copy and one printed book
Your first proof: within approximately 8–12 weeks
From €1,950 including VAT
The scope and fixed price are agreed before the project begins.
Your words, carefully edited
With your permission, our project conversations are recorded. This allows me to listen fully while we talk and return to your precise words, expressions, and memories afterwards.
I do not simply transcribe the conversation. I select, organise, and carefully edit what you have shared, preserving the phrases and details that make the story recognisably yours while giving the finished letter or book clarity and shape.
You review everything before it is finalised. Nothing is included or shared without your approval.
Your story remains yours throughout.
HOW THE WORK IS CREATEDHOW IT WORKSFrom first conversation to finished piece
01 — Meet
We begin with a free 30-minute conversation about what you are considering. You do not need to prepare anything, and this conversation is not recorded.
I suggest the most suitable format and send you a clear proposal with the scope, fixed price, and expected timeline. You can decide in your own time whether you would like to continue.
02 — Plan
03 — Talk and gather
We arrange one or more guided project conversations. With your permission, these are recorded so that I can work accurately with your own words. For a memory book, we also gather the photographs and other material you would like me to consider.
04 — Edit and create
I listen back, select and organise the material, and create the first draft of your letter or book. For a memory book, this also includes preparing the photographs and designing the pages.
05 — Review and receive
You review the complete draft and tell me what you would like changed. Once everything feels right, I prepare and deliver the final digital and printed versions.
Words from those I’ve worked with
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Thank you so much for the beautiful letters. I loved that they included QR codes, making it possible to hear my voice and listen to a meaningful song. Such a thoughtful and personal touch.
— Hans
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“You are a word artist and an excellent listener.”
— Mr. H.
THE PERSON BEHIND HAY & MOONA calm and considered approach
I am Saskia, the writer, editor, and designer behind Hay & Moon.
My work brings together guided conversation, careful editing, and editorial design, informed by my training as a designer, photographer, storyteller, scientist and end-of-life doula. I understand that these projects can hold love, grief, uncertainty, and things that have been difficult to say.
You will not be expected to perform your story or find the perfect words. My role is to listen closely, help you decide what belongs, and create something that feels recognisably yours.
I work in English and Dutch, online with clients internationally and in person within the Netherlands by arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. You may have a particular person, collection of photographs, memory, or message in mind without knowing what form it should take. During our introductory conversation, we can explore whether a letter or memory book would suit it best.
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No. Some people come to Hay & Moon while living with serious illness or preparing something for those they love. Others want to mark an important moment, preserve family memories, or make sense of photographs and documents left by someone who has died. You do not need a particular reason or diagnosis to begin.
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Not at all. You do not need to write anything before we begin. I guide the conversation and create the first draft from what you tell me.
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Yes. I work closely with your own words, expressions, and memories. I may select, organise, and refine the material, but I do not replace your voice with mine. You review everything and can change anything that does not feel right.
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The free introductory conversation is not recorded.
If we decide to work together, project conversations are recorded with your explicit permission. This allows me to listen fully while we talk and return accurately to your words afterwards. The recordings are used only to create your letter or book and are never shared without your permission.
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Your conversations and materials are treated as private. I do not publish, display, or share your letter, book, photographs, or story without your express written permission.
The handling and deletion of recordings and source materials will be explained in the project agreement before we begin.
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Yes, but the person whose voice or story is being recorded must understand the project and freely agree to participate.
A family member may also commission a memory book about someone who has died, using photographs, documents, and memories contributed by those who knew them.
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A memory book does not need to contain a large collection of images. It can be led by stories and include only a few photographs, letters, documents, recipes, or other meaningful pieces. We will work with what is available.
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Project conversations can be divided into shorter sessions, with breaks or additional time between them. Please tell me about any health, accessibility, or energy considerations so that I can adapt the process to you.
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You will usually receive the first draft of a personal letter within two weeks of our project conversation.
The first proof of a memory book usually takes approximately 8–12 weeks after the conversations have taken place and I have received the agreed source material. Your final schedule will be included in the proposal.
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Please tell me when you contact me. I cannot always guarantee an urgent start, but I will respond honestly about what is possible and, where I can, adapt the scope or schedule.
Bring the beginnings: the person you are thinking about, the photographs you keep returning to, or the things you do not want to leave unexplained.
We can begin there.
You do not need to have found the right words yet
30 minutes · online · no obligation · not recorded