For professionals who work with families
Funeral directors, care managers, estate attorneys, wealth advisers and senior living teams often meet families when the question of a life story comes up on its own. This page explains what we offer, how we look after the families you introduce, and how a partnership works.
What we do
BrightSide records a person’s life in a series of video conversations and turns it into a private, hardcover biography for their family. Editions start at $5,000, and every family receives a written proposal before anything is paid.
Who looks after the family
A project manager coordinates every project from the first call to delivery, so your client has one person to call. A professional interviewer leads the conversations, a writer on our team turns them into the book, and a proofreader checks every manuscript.
How private material is handled
A family’s book is never published or sold, and we never use a family’s recordings, photographs, stories or pages publicly without that family’s explicit permission. The family reads every chapter, can have any story taken out, and approves the manuscript and the final proof before anything is printed. Our privacy policy lists the service providers involved in making a book.
Two kinds of book, for two different moments
Life story books, for someone living
For families planning ahead, clients marking a milestone birthday or retirement, or anyone who wants a parent’s story recorded in their own words. The person takes part in a series of video conversations from home.
Typical introductions: pre-planning conversations, senior living move-ins, estate and legacy planning, client gifts.
Tribute books, in memory of a loved one
For families who want a life gathered from the people who knew them. We interview family and friends, and work from the photographs and papers the family keeps.
We ask that tribute books be mentioned only when it fits the conversation. Many families won’t be ready for weeks or months, and that’s expected.
What happens when you refer a family
You give the family our details, or send us theirs with their permission.
We reply within 24 hours and arrange a free first conversation, by phone or video.
The family receives a written proposal. Nothing begins until they approve it.
Their book stays private: never published, and never used to promote BrightSide without their permission.
What you can say
BrightSide is a private life-story biography service in Cheshire, Connecticut. The first conversation is free, and nothing is paid until the family approves a written proposal.
Please leave prices, timelines and outcomes to us, so families hear them from the source.
A one-page guide for families
Print it or email it to a family who might be interested. It explains what we do, what it costs and how to begin.
Working together
We’d like to hear what the families you work with need, and how a partnership could work. Terms are discussed directly, including anything your profession requires you to disclose to clients. To talk it through, email Alex Alickolli at alex@brightsidebooks.co or send a note.
Talk about working together