Leaving A Legacy Guided Publishing Program, known as Leaving A Legacy (LAL), is a 5-month, step-by-step guided publishing experience for adults 55 years and older who want to turn their life experiences, memories, and wisdom into a professionally published book.

Designed as a one-stop publishing experience, LAL takes participants from developing their stories—even with little or no writing experience—through writing, professional editing, book design, and publishing.

You bring the stories. 
We guide you through the process. 
You leave with a published book to share and pass down for generations.

Participants move through the experience as a cohort, learning and creating alongside one another while developing their own individual book. The program concludes with a Graduation & Community Book Launch Celebration.

Leaving A Legacy welcomes adults from all cultures, backgrounds, communities, and life experiences. The program is primarily conducted in English, with Filipino and other cultural perspectives welcomed and honored throughout the storytelling experience.

Leaving A Legacy is a step-by-step journey from story to published book, organized into three phases:  CREATE → PUBLISH → CELEBRATE

Participants move through the experience in a group, called a cohort, beginning with 8 weeks of storytelling and writing before moving into the professional editorial and publishing process. Each participant develops their own individual book while learning and creating alongside a small group of fellow authors.

CHOOSE YOUR COHORT

Participants choose 1 of 3 cohorts, each limited to 6 participants. The intimate cohort setting provides space for connection, shared learning, reflection, and meaningful guidance while each participant develops their own book.

• Online Cohort — Virtual via Zoom
  Wednesdays | January 13–March 3, 2027 | Time 11:00 AM–1:00 PM PST | 12:00–2:00 PM MST | 1:00–3:00 PM CST | 2:00–4:00 PM EST
  
  
• North Houston Cohort — In Person
  Wednesdays | January 13–March 3, 2027 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM CST
  George H.W. Bush Community Center, 6827 Cypresswood Dr. Spring, TX 77379
  
  
• Houston Cohort — In Person
  Fridays | January 15–March 5, 2027 | 12:00–2:00 PM CST
  The Ion, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX 77002

Participants should select the cohort they can consistently attend for the full 8-week CREATE phase.

PHASE I: CREATE

Storytelling, Writing & Book Development

Over 8 weeks, participants develop their life stories through storytelling prompts, writing assignments, and guided sessions. Between sessions, participants write and build their stories. During sessions, they share progress, read selected pieces, listen to one another, and receive guidance and encouragement as they work toward a completed manuscript.

Week 1 — Where It All Began | Your name, birth, family origins, and the people who came before you.

Week 2 — Growing Up | Childhood and adolescence: the memories, people, and experiences that shaped you.

Week 3 — Finding Your Way | Young adulthood, discovering yourself, and the experiences that shaped who you became.

Week 4 — The Life You Built | Your career, relationships, family, and the people and choices that shaped your life.

Week 5 — The Moments That Shaped You | Challenges, milestones, accomplishments, and experiences that made you proud.

Week 6 — A New Chapter | Retirement, life transitions, and the experiences that opened the door to what came next.

Week 7 — What Life Has Taught You | The wisdom, values, and lessons you've gathered—and what you want others to know.

Week 8 — Your Legacy | Bring your story together through a letter to future descendants, dedication, acknowledgments, and personal biography.

PHASE II: PUBLISH

Editorial, Design, Publishing & Distribution

Participants submit their completed manuscript on the last day of PHASE I: CREATE to begin the professional editorial and publishing process. Kuwento Co. manages the development and production of each participant’s individual book, including:

• Editorial: Professional editorial review, development, copyediting, proofreading, and manuscript preparation
  
  
• Design: Professional author headshot photography, cover design, interior design and formatting, and incorporation of approved photographs and other materials
  
  
• Publishing: ISBN assignment and registration, barcode creation and placement, LCCN application when applicable, publication metadata, proof preparation and participant review
  
  
• Production: Professional printing and production of a 6" × 9" hardcover book, including 10 complimentary printed copies
  
  
• Distribution: Public distribution through applicable online retailers and distribution channels, or private/personal publication with no public retail distribution, based on the participant’s selected preference.  
  
  

Author Webpage

Each participant receives an author webpage on the Kuwento Co. website featuring their profile, headshot, biography, book cover, and book information. With Public Distribution, the book may also be available for purchase through applicable online channels.

PHASE III: CELEBRATE

Kuwento Co. Graduation & Community Book Launch

The Leaving A Legacy journey concludes with the Kuwento Co. Graduation & Community Book Launch on Friday, May 28, 2027, in Houston, Texas. This community celebration brings together Leaving A Legacy participants, families, friends, community leaders, and invited guests to recognize participants as published authors and celebrate the stories they have preserved.

Participants will receive their 10 complimentary copies of their finished book, celebrate with their cohort and community, share and sign their books, and honor the legacy they are creating for future generations.

A graduation rehearsal will be held before the event, with details provided in advance.

Online Cohort participants and their guests are invited and encouraged to attend in person. Those unable to attend will receive virtual access, and their 10 complimentary books will be shipped after the event.

Family, friends, community leaders, elected officials, media, community partners, and invited guests are welcome to attend. The celebration may also include participants from other Kuwento Co. programs and community publishing initiatives.

Imagine holding your finished book in your hands, surrounded by the people you love, hearing them cheer for you as you celebrate becoming a published author. 

That moment is your legacy, made real. 

Your stories deserve more than a place in your memories—they deserve to be preserved, professionally developed, and turned into a book you can hold, share, and pass down. For $5,000, Leaving A Legacy brings the storytelling, publishing expertise, and personal support together in one complete experience—from your first story to your finished book.

Payment Plan

Participants may choose to pay in full at the time of enrollment or use the Payment Plan, divided into 4 equal payments of 25% ($1,250 each):

Enrollment Deposit — 25%

$1,250

Upon enrollment

Payment 1 — 25%

$1,250

January 4, 2027

Payment 2 — 25%

$1,250

February 1, 2027

Payment 3 — 25%

$1,250

March 1, 2027

Total Publishing Investment  — 100%

$5,000*

The $1,250 enrollment deposit reserves your place in your selected cohort. Payment methods and applicable payment policies are provided in Part II — Application & Enrollment Agreement.

*Note: If you select additional services beyond the standard program, the cost of those services will be added to your total program investment, and your payment amount will be calculated based on that total. 

To help your book move successfully from story to publication, participants are expected to:

Attend & Participate | Attend and actively participate in the 8-week CREATE phase, including storytelling discussions, writing activities, prompts, and exercises.

Use the Google Folder | Access the Google Folder provided by Kuwento Co. for program materials, prompts, assignments, resources, announcements, and other information throughout the program.

Complete & Submit Writing | Complete assigned writing and submit story materials according to the program timeline and instructions. 

Provide Photos & Personal Materials | Provide scanned photographs, biographical information, dedication, acknowledgments, and other materials requested for inclusion in your book.

Review & Approve | Review editorial revisions, book design, proofs, and other materials and provide feedback or approval within the requested timeframe.

Meet Deadlines | Submit materials, feedback, and approvals on time. Timely participation helps keep the editorial, design, production, and publication process on schedule.

Communicate with Kuwento Co. | Communicate promptly with Kuwento Co. regarding questions, decisions, changes, and any circumstances that may affect your participation or the progress of your book.

Your stories are at the heart of this experience. 
Kuwento Co. is here to guide the process and handle the professional publishing.

Each participant receives 10 complimentary hardcover copies of their finished book. Additional copies are not included in the $5,000 program investment.

For 1 year following publication, participants may purchase 10 or more additional hardcover copies per order at 50% off the applicable retail book price. The discount applies to the book price only; shipping, fulfillment, handling, applicable taxes, payment-processing fees, and other applicable costs are additional. After the 1-year period, additional copies may be purchased at the then-current applicable price or rate offered by Kuwento Co.

Author Sales & Resale
Participants may purchase additional copies directly from Kuwento Co. and resell them at a price they determine, including through book signings, events, their own website or business, or other direct sales. Participants are responsible for any costs, taxes, fees, or obligations related to their resale activities. Kuwento Co. may also maintain copies of participants’ books for launches, events, and other community activities.

No Royalties 
Leaving A Legacy does not include a royalty program. Participants do not receive royalties from public distribution, direct sales, bulk orders, event sales, or other sales channels. The 50% author bulk rate is a purchase benefit and does not constitute a royalty or revenue-sharing arrangement. Kuwento Co. does not guarantee book sales or income.

Leaving A Legacy is a limited-enrollment program. When you enroll, your seat is reserved in your selected cohort and Kuwento Co. begins planning and preparing for your participation.

The $1,250 enrollment deposit is nonrefundable once your enrollment is confirmed and your cohort seat is reserved.

If you need to withdraw before the CREATE phase begins, your deposit will be retained, and any unpaid future installments will be canceled.

If you withdraw after the CREATE phase begins, amounts already paid are nonrefundable. Kuwento Co. may determine whether any remaining balance is waived, adjusted, or remains due based on the participant's progress, services already provided, materials already produced, and other costs or commitments associated with the participant's book.

Any adjustment to a remaining balance will be determined by Kuwento Co. on a case-by-case basis and confirmed in writing.

Please note: Leaving A Legacy is a structured 5-month experience, and withdrawing from the program may affect your ability to complete and publish your book within the program's planned timeline.

Leaving A Legacy is an 8-week storytelling and writing experience. Participants are expected to attend all sessions, participate actively, complete assignments, and meet required deadlines.

Attendance & Punctuality | Participants are expected to attend all 8 Leaving A Legacy Sessions for their selected cohort. In-person participants should arrive 10 minutes early; virtual participants should join 5 minutes early. Sessions begin exactly at the scheduled time, and attendance is taken at the beginning of each session. Participants who arrive after the session begins may not be admitted. If an unexpected circumstance prevents attendance, participants should notify Kuwento Co. as soon as reasonably possible. Repeated absences, late arrivals, or early departures may result in removal from the cohort or program. Missed sessions do not extend the 8-week schedule or automatically include a private make-up session.

Writing & Submission Deadlines | Participants must complete weekly assignments and submit requested materials, feedback, and approvals by the deadlines provided by Kuwento Co. Participants may request an extension of up to 2 calendar days when circumstances arise. Materials submitted more than 2 days late may affect the editorial, design, production, or publication timeline.

Additional Work & Delays | If participant-caused delays require additional work beyond the standard program scope, Kuwento Co. may assess an additional fee. Any fee will be communicated before the additional work begins. Participant-caused delays may affect the planned publication or launch timeline. Kuwento Co. does not guarantee the original timeline when required materials, decisions, or approvals are not provided on time.

Your Leaving A Legacy book is your individual work, and you retain ownership of your original stories, writing, photographs, artwork, and other materials you provide, subject to the rights and permissions necessary for Kuwento Co. to provide the services described in this Guide and the Enrollment Agreement. By participating in Leaving A Legacy, you authorize Kuwento Co. to use your submitted materials as reasonably necessary to edit, prepare, design, publish, print, distribute, promote, and maintain your book and author webpage, including creating ISBNs and related publishing information and making your book available through applicable distribution and bookselling channels when Public Distribution is selected.

Distribution Preference | Participants may change their distribution preference at any time during PHASE I: CREATE. Once the completed manuscript is submitted at the end of PHASE I: CREATE, the distribution preference is final and cannot be changed.

Pre-Publication Exclusivity | Before the first publication of your Leaving A Legacy book, you agree not to publish or publicly distribute the LAL manuscript or a substantially similar version through another publisher or platform without Kuwento Co.’s written consent. This does not restrict you from discussing your experiences, conducting research, using your professional knowledge, or creating and publishing separate original content that is not substantially the same as your LAL book. After publication, you may continue using your original stories, writing, photographs, and other materials for personal, professional, educational, speaking, family, community, or other purposes, subject to the rights granted to Kuwento Co. under this Guide and the Enrollment Agreement. Kuwento Co. retains the rights necessary to perform and complete the publishing, distribution, sales, and promotional services associated with your book.

You are responsible for ensuring that the materials you provide to Kuwento Co. may legally be used in your book and for the publishing and promotional purposes described in this Guide.

Your materials may include written content, photographs, artwork, family materials, quotations, documents, names, biographical information, and other supporting materials.

If you provide material that was created or is owned by another person or organization, you are responsible for obtaining any permission necessary to use that material unless Kuwento Co. has expressly agreed in writing to assist with obtaining the permission.

You should not provide confidential, private, or sensitive information about another person without appropriate permission or legal authority to use and publish that information.

By submitting materials to Kuwento Co., you represent that, to the best of your knowledge, you have the rights and permissions necessary for Kuwento Co. to use those materials for the purposes described in this Guide.

You remain responsible for the accuracy and appropriateness of the personal information, stories, names, photographs, and other materials you choose to include in your book.

Leaving A Legacy is centered on your voice, experiences, memories, perspectives, and original authorship. You may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools for limited support, such as brainstorming, organizing ideas, or checking grammar, provided AI does not replace your authorship or materially misrepresent your voice, experiences, or content.

Participants must be honest and transparent about AI use and should not submit AI-generated material as entirely their own personal writing when doing so would misrepresent their authorship or experiences.

Kuwento Co. may conduct AI-content and plagiarism screenings as part of its editorial and publishing quality-control process. Because these tools are not perfect, a screening result alone does not establish improper AI use or plagiarism. If concerns arise, Kuwento Co. may request clarification, additional information, or documentation regarding the source or development of the material.

Participants are responsible for the originality, accuracy, authenticity, and final approval of all content submitted for their book. If authorship, plagiarism, copyright, permissions, or AI-related concerns require additional review, revision, replacement, or other work, the participant may be responsible for addressing the issue and any resulting additional services or costs.

Kuwento Co. may decline to publish material that it reasonably determines cannot be published as submitted because of unresolved authorship, plagiarism, copyright, permissions, or other legal or publishing concerns.

Future generations deserve to hear your voice, not AI. 
Your stories, your words, your wisdom—that is the legacy they will carry forward. 

Kuwento Co. may promote Leaving A Legacy, participating authors, and published books through program-related marketing, publicity, events, social media, the Kuwento Co. website, email communications, promotional materials, and other reasonable promotional activities.

Promotional materials may include your:

• name and author information;
• approved biography;
• professional headshot;
• book title and cover;
• book description;
• brief excerpts from your book;
• photographs or video captured during Leaving A Legacy activities or events; 
• participation in the Leaving A Legacy program.

Kuwento Co. will make reasonable efforts to use participant information and materials accurately and respectfully.

Participants may also promote their own books, author webpages, speaking activities, and Leaving A Legacy experience through their own personal, professional, community, or social media channels.

Any promotional use of your materials beyond the purposes described in this Guide must be separately authorized when required.

Leaving A Legacy is designed to provide a supportive environment where participants can share personal experiences, memories, and life stories.

Participants are expected to respect the privacy of their fellow participants. You may hear personal stories, family information, unpublished writing, or other private information during the program. You should not share, publish, record, reproduce, or distribute another participant's personal stories, private information, unpublished writing, recordings, photographs, or other materials outside the program without that participant's permission.

Kuwento Co. will make reasonable efforts to protect unpublished manuscripts, personal information, and other non-public participant materials that are provided to us as part of the program.

Because Leaving A Legacy includes group discussion and interaction, participants should use appropriate judgment about what they choose to share with the group. Kuwento Co. cannot guarantee that information voluntarily shared by a participant with other participants will remain confidential.

Kuwento Co. may make reasonable changes to program dates, times, locations, formats, staffing, vendors, publishing platforms, production schedules, or other program details when necessary to operate the program or complete publishing services.

The $5,000 program investment covers the services and deliverables described in this Overview Guide. Participants may select optional services and products listed in PART II: Leaving A Legacy Application, Service Selection & Enrollment Agreement for an additional fee. Selected optional services and products are included in the participant’s Total Program Investment.

Work requested or required outside the standard program scope and outside the optional services selected may require an additional fee. Kuwento Co. will communicate any applicable fee before additional paid work is performed and, when applicable, obtain the participant’s approval.

Participant-caused delays, including late submissions, delayed approvals, or repeated changes, may require additional work and may affect the planned publication or launch timeline. 

Kuwento Co. does not guarantee the original publication or launch timeline when required participant materials, decisions, feedback, or approvals are not provided on time.

Leaving A Legacy provides storytelling guidance, editorial services, book development, design, publishing, and production support to help each participant create and publish an individual book.

However, publishing a book does not guarantee specific commercial, professional, or promotional results.

Kuwento Co. does not guarantee:

• a specific number of book sales;
• bookstore or library placement;
• media coverage;
• reviews or publicity;
• awards, rankings, or recognition;
• speaking engagements or other professional opportunities;
• audience growth; or
• any other specific commercial or promotional outcome.

Sales, readership, publicity, reviews, distribution opportunities, and other outcomes may be affected by factors outside Kuwento Co.'s control, including market conditions, reader interest, distribution platforms, retailer decisions, author promotion, and other external circumstances.

Kuwento Co. will provide the services and support described in this Guide, but the success or public response to an individual book cannot be guaranteed.

Ready to begin your Leaving A Legacy journey? Here’s what happens next.

• Learn More or Get Your Questions Answered
  Attend a free Leaving A Legacy Information Session & Preview Day, watch a recorded Information Session, or schedule an individual appointment with Kuwento Co. 
  
  
• Review Part I
  Review Part I — Leaving A Legacy Program & Publishing Overview Guide, including the program experience, schedule, services, investment, payment plan, publishing process, responsibilities, and applicable terms.
  
  
• Complete & Sign Part II
  Complete Part II — Leaving A Legacy Application & Publishing Enrollment Agreement, including your participant information, cohort selection, book distribution preference, payment selection, and any optional services. 
  
  
• Submit Your Application & Agreement
  Save your completed and signed Part II as a PDF and email it to hello@kuwentoco.com.
  
  
• Pay Your 25% Enrollment Deposit
  Submit your 25% nonrefundable Enrollment Deposit using your selected payment method. Your cohort seat is reserved only after Kuwento Co. has received both your signed Application & Agreement and Enrollment Deposit.
  
  
• Receive Enrollment Confirmation
  Once both items are received, Kuwento Co. will confirm your enrollment and send your welcome and program-start information. If you select the 4-Payment Plan, Payment #1 is due before the first session. If you select Pay in Full, the full program investment is due upon enrollment.
  
  
• Begin the 8-Week CREATE Phase
  Attend your selected cohort for 8 consecutive weeks, participate in each session, complete weekly assignments, and meet required deadlines as you develop your individual book.

January 1, 2027

Application & Agreement Submission Deadline

Applications and Agreement due by 11:59 PM CT.

Upon Enrollment

Enrollment Deposit — 25%

Due upon enrollment to reserve your cohort seat.

January 4, 2027

Payment #1 — 25%

Due before the first Leaving A Legacy Session.

January 13–
March 3, 2027

North Houston Cohort — 8-Week CREATE Phase

Wednesdays:  Jan. 13, Jan. 20, Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, Mar. 3

10:00 AM–12:00 PM CST

January 13–
March 3, 2027

Online Cohort — 8-Week CREATE Phase

Wednesdays: Jan. 13, Jan. 20, Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, Mar. 3

Time Zones: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM PT | 12:00–2:00 PM MT | 1:00–3:00 PM CT | 2:00–4:00 PM ET 

January 15–
March 5, 2027

Houston Cohort — 8-Week CREATE Phase

Fridays: Jan. 15, Jan. 22, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, Mar. 5

12:00–2:00 PM CST

February 1, 2027

Payment #2 — 25%

Due under the 4-Payment Plan.

March 1, 2027

Payment #3 — 25%

Due under the 4-Payment Plan.

March 3, 2027

Manuscript Deadline — Online & North Houston

Final Manuscript submission due

March 5, 2027

Manuscript Deadline — Houston

Final Manuscript submission due

March–May 2027

PUBLISH Phase

Editorial, design, photography, publishing, production, and distribution by Kuwento Co.

May 21, 2027

CELEBRATE Phase

Graduation and Community Book Launch Rehearsal

Participants review the graduation program, practice the ceremony and book launch experience, and prepare for their celebration as published authors. 

May 28, 2027

Graduation & Community Book Launch

Participants celebrate becoming published authors and receive their 10 complimentary books.