Why Work with TimePieces?
TimePieces Personal Biographies, established in 2000 by Stephanie Kadel Taras, Ph.D., is one of the world’s premier personal history businesses. TimePieces works with a handful of select clients each year who want to tell their own stories, hire a writer to work with family members, or document an organization’s history.
With more than twenty-five years of experience as a professional interviewer, writer, and historical researcher, Stephanie specializes in complex narrative histories for large families, family businesses, colleges, corporations, and foundations. She has also written more than fifty privately published individual memoirs.
Most projects begin with interviews and end with a beautiful, limited-edition bound book with photographs. We also offer audio-only packages—an interview digitally recorded and delivered as audio files to share your stories, voice, and laughter with family and friends.
Stephanie Kadel Taras, PhD
President, Owner
A Little About My Credentials
- Stephanie has a Ph.D. in sociology and education from Syracuse University with a focus on interviewing and people’s stories. Her master’s is from the University of Michigan.
- Her 2013 memoir and social history of West Virginia, titled Mountain Girls, won a West Virginia Writers Book Award. Her 2008 history of Eckerd College won an IPPY award.
- A sought-after public speaker, Stephanie gives talks on the value of history to create positive family dynamics, corporate culture, and sense of self.
- She has led dozens of life-story writing workshops at senior centers, social clubs, and continuing education programs; her students have created ongoing writing groups that are still going strong after more than a decade.
- She served as president of her professional association, the international Association of Personal Historians.
- She served as president of the Ann Arbor City Club in 2014.