Questions and answers
About the conversations, the writing, the book, the cost and your family’s privacy. If your question isn’t here, ask us directly.
The process
What does BrightSide do?
BrightSide creates private memoirs and personal biographies for families. Your parent takes part in a series of guided conversations held online. We shape those conversations into a narrative biography, written and edited by BrightSide, and the result is printed and bound as a clothbound hardcover for the family.
How long does it take?
About three months from the first interview to the finished books. The exact time depends on the depth of the project, family review and production. Legacy commissions may take longer.
What happens after I get in touch?
A private introductory conversation about your parent and what you hope the book will hold. We then recommend a scope and send a written proposal with the timeline and the investment. Once you’re ready, we schedule the first interview.
Can I be involved?
Yes. You tell us about your parent at the start, share family photographs, and review the manuscript before the book goes to production.
The conversations
Who conducts the interviews?
Professional interviewers or trained specialists, with the whole project coordinated by BrightSide.
Do the interviews happen in person?
No. Every interview is held online and recorded, so your parent takes part from home, wherever they live. It is how we work with families nationally.
Does my parent need to prepare anything?
No. The interviewer guides every conversation, and there is nothing to write down or gather first.
What if my parent isn’t a natural storyteller?
They don’t need to be. The interviewer guides each conversation and asks the next question.
How many interviews are there?
It depends on the commission: 4 to 6 for a Portrait, 6 to 11 for a Life Story, and 11 or more for a Legacy.
The writing
Will the book be written in first or third person?
The family chooses. First person reads as your parent’s own account, close and conversational. Third person reads as a biography about them, with more distance and room for context.
Will we see the manuscript before it’s printed?
Yes. The family reviews the manuscript before it goes to production.
Photographs
What happens to our original photographs?
Photographs are collected digitally, so the originals stay with your family.
Can old or damaged photographs be restored?
Photographs are digitally restored where needed, and placed throughout the book beside the parts of the story they belong to.
Do we receive the restored files?
Yes. High-resolution restored files are delivered when the book is complete.
The book
What is the finished book like?
An 8 × 10 inch hardcover with a full-colour interior, a cloth cover with foil stamping, a dust jacket and a sewn binding.
How many copies do we receive?
10 with a Portrait, 15 with a Life Story and 20 with a Legacy. Additional copies may be ordered.
Where are the books made?
Printing and binding are carried out by a professional production partner in New England.
Cost
How much does a commission cost?
Portrait starts at $5,000. Life Story is $9,500. Legacy is $18,000 to $22,000.
What does a commission include?
The guided interviews, writing and editing, family review of the manuscript, photograph restoration, book design, printing and binding, the finished books and the high-resolution restored files.
Is financing available?
Yes. Financing is available, and we can explain how it works in your first conversation.
Privacy
Is the book published?
No. Books are private and never publicly published.
Will you use our story or photographs in your marketing?
No. Client photographs and stories are never used in marketing.
How are the interviews and materials used?
Interviews and project materials are used only to create the biography you commissioned.
Gifts
Can a biography be a gift?
Yes. A biography can be commissioned as a gift for a parent or grandparent. Your parent takes part in the conversations, so they will know about the biography once the interviews begin.
Ask us directly.
A private conversation is the easiest way to get an answer about your family and your parent.
Start a conversation