FAQ

I can't log in. What do I do?
First, try resetting your password using the "Forgot password?" link on the login page. A reset email will arrive within a few minutes. If the email doesn't show up, check your spam folder. Some email providers filter our messages the first time. Still stuck? Email us at support@kindredtales.net with the email address you used to sign up, and we'll get you back in. Read more...
How does Kindred Tales compare to StoryWorth?
Both are good options for different families. Here's an honest look at the differences. Ways to tell stories StoryWorth primarily uses email prompts. Kindred Tales offers five methods: email reply, online editor, speech-to-text, guided Ali interviews, and audio upload. If your parent prefers talking to typing, that's a significant difference. Photos With Kindred Tales, photos go inline with the story text, with captions, exactly where they belong. StoryWorth places photos separately. Pricing StoryWorth charges a recurring annual subscription. After the first year, you pay again to keep access to the... Read more...
Can I delete the stories after the book is printed?
Yes. After your book is printed, you can request that all story data be permanently deleted from our servers. Email us at support@kindredtales.net and we'll take care of it. Keep in mind that once data is deleted, we won't be able to reprint the book or recover the stories. Make sure you've downloaded the PDF and ordered all the copies you need first. Read more...
Are the stories private?
Your family's stories are private. Always. We never share, sell, or display personal stories for any purpose beyond creating your book. Stories are encrypted and stored securely. Only the storyteller, the gift-giver, and anyone they've invited as a collaborator can access them. We don't show customer stories on our website. We don't use them in marketing. We don't train AI models on them. When the book is printed, your stories are yours. Read more...
How long does it take to get the printed book?
Once the storyteller is ready to print (or the year of prompts wraps up), the book enters our design and printing process. Most books ship within 2 to 3 weeks from the print request. You'll get a tracking number by email once the book is on its way. Read more...
What does the finished book look and feel like?
The book is a hardcover with a matte finish. Premium archival paper. Full-color interior with photos printed right alongside the stories. It feels like a book you'd pick up at a bookstore, not a self-published pamphlet. A finished Kindred Tales book. Hardcover, matte finish, archival paper. Built to sit on a shelf for generations. We chose these materials because this is something families keep. It sits on a shelf, gets pulled down at holidays, gets passed to the next generation. The binding, the paper weight, the print quality: all of... Read more...
Does Ali use my parent's stories to train AI?
No. Never. Ali processes your parent's words during the conversation to ask follow-up questions and generate a draft. That's it. Your family's stories are never used to train AI models, never shared with third parties, and never used for any purpose other than creating your book. We take this seriously. These are private family memories, and they stay private. Read more...
Can my parent edit what Ali writes?
Yes, always. Ali writes a first draft based on the conversation, but the final version is entirely up to your parent. After Ali generates a draft, your parent can read it, change anything, add details, remove sections, or rewrite parts entirely. Think of Ali as a helpful note-taker, not the author. The published chapter is whatever your parent approves. Read more...
What is Ali, and will my parent be comfortable using it?
Ali is a guided interviewer who helps your parent tell their stories in more detail. Think of Ali as a patient, curious friend who asks follow-up questions. Here's how it works: your parent starts with a story prompt (or picks their own topic). Ali listens and asks follow-ups. "Tell me more about that kitchen. What did it smell like?" "What happened after you got on the bus?" These questions unlock details that people don't think to include on their own. See Ali in action This short walkthrough shows a real... Read more...
How do I add photos to the book?
Photos go right inside the stories, exactly where they belong. Not dumped into a gallery at the back of the book. How it works in the editor From the online story editor, click "Add Photo" between any two paragraphs. Drag and drop an image from your computer or phone, then type a caption underneath. The photo will appear in the printed book exactly where you placed it. 1 2 3 The story editor with inline photos: (1) Story text above  (2) Photo with caption placed between paragraphs  (3) Story continues... Read more...
How do the weekly prompts work?
Each week, your loved one gets an email with a thoughtful question. "What's a tradition from your childhood that you wish more people knew about?" "What was the bravest thing you ever did?" "Tell me about the house you grew up in." They reply right from their inbox. No logging in, no app. Just hit reply and write. The questions are carefully sequenced to move through different life stages: childhood, school years, career, family, lessons learned, and legacy. But there's no rigid structure. They can skip, reorder, or add their... Read more...
Do you ship outside the US?
Yes. Free shipping is included for the continental United States, most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. For other destinations, shipping costs vary and are calculated at checkout. We partner with print-on-demand publishers around the world to keep shipping times and costs reasonable. Read more...