How to write a book together as a gift

Make a one-of-a-kind book with friends or family for a birthday, wedding, farewell or new baby, then export it as a keepsake PDF to print or share.

Some of the best gifts cannot be bought. A book written by the people who love someone is one of them. It can be a story starring the person, a collection of memories, or a silly adventure full of in-jokes. It does not need to be long, and nobody needs to be a writer.

Here is how to make one together, from idea to printed keepsake.

Choose the kind of book

Pick the shape first. It makes everything else easier.

• A story starring them. Your friend as the hero of a mystery, a space adventure or a fairy tale. Everyone writes a chapter, and the in-jokes write themselves.
• A book of memories. Each person writes a short piece: the day you met, a trip, the funniest thing they ever said. Simple and very moving.
• Letters to the future. For a baby or a wedding: what you hope for them, advice, small promises. Wonderful to read in ten years.
• A round-robin novel. For a group that likes to write: one continuous story, passed from person to person.

Invite the right people, with a deadline

A gift book has a date, so plan backwards from it.

1. Pick an organiser. One person starts the book and sends the invites.
2. Invite people individually. A personal link feels more special than a group message, and people are more likely to say yes.
3. Give a deadline a few days before you need it. Leave time to read it through and make the final file.
4. Keep turns small. Ask each person for one page or one memory. Short asks get done.

Keep it a surprise

If the book is for someone in the group chat, start a new book that they are not invited to, and make sure everyone knows not to mention it. Private invite links help, because only the people you invite can see the book.

Make it feel like one book

• Agree on a title early. It sets the tone and makes the project real.
• Use chapter headings. One per person, or one per memory, makes it easy to read.
• Add a short opening. The organiser can write a dedication: who the book is for and why.
• End together. A closing page where everyone adds one line is a lovely ending.

Turn it into a keepsake

When the book is done, export it. In marie you can make:

• A Keepsake PDF, where each friend’s words are marked in their own colour, with a title page listing everyone, and a "Who wrote this book" page showing how many words each person wrote. It is designed to be printed or sent.
• A classic Book PDF, laid out like a printed novel.
• An e-book (EPUB) for Apple Books, Google Play Books or Kindle.

To give it in person, print the PDF at home or at a print shop and bind it with a simple ribbon or a spiral binding. Many print shops can make a single bound copy in a day.

Start with marie

marie is free and private. Start a book, invite each person with their own link, and take turns writing. Everyone gets a notification when it is their turn, so the book keeps moving even when people are busy. When it’s finished, export the Keepsake PDF and give a gift nobody else could.