Behind the Voice of Bright One: An Interview with Author Lisajoy Sachs

As Bright One prepares for its Audible release, author Lisajoy Sachs sat down with voice actor and audiobook narrator Alice Sockett to discuss the origins of the series, the emotional process of finding the right narrator, the future of audiobooks, and the growing impact of AI in publishing.

The conversation offers a deeply personal look into the real family history behind the novels and the collaborative relationship between author and narrator.

The Origins of Bright One

What inspired you to write Bright One and the rest of the series?

Twenty-two years ago, I inherited letters, photographs, and documents from my grandmother. That discovery sent me down a series of rabbit holes as I tried to piece together what had happened to her family and how she eventually ended up in New York.

Ultimately, I learned that she escaped the Holocaust because my great-grandmother made extraordinary decisions and sacrifices that saved her life.

I started writing Bright One nearly twenty years ago. Originally, it was one enormous saga, but over time it naturally evolved into a six-part series.

Finding the Right Voice

Since the story is based on your Oma’s life, how important was it to find the right narrator?

Finding the right narrator was incredibly important. Initially, I thought I wanted someone with an Eastern European or German accent because that was how I remembered hearing my grandmother speak growing up. Even now, I can still hear her voice in my head.

However, the narrator options available at the time were limited, and I also knew I wanted a female narrator because Bright One has two female protagonists.

During the editing process, I began reading the manuscript aloud and unexpectedly started hearing the story narrated with an English accent. That shifted my search entirely, and I began specifically looking for a female BBC English narrator.

What Makes a Narrator Feel Emotionally Right?

Beyond technical quality, what makes a narrator feel emotionally connected to your story?

For me, a great deal of it comes down to pronunciation and emotional nuance.

I love the way Alice pronounces certain words like “hovered” and “hooves.” With an American accent, those words sometimes sound harsher or more casual to me, whereas her pronunciation adds elegance and emotion to the story.

She also pronounced “Finkeltal” in the more traditional European way rather than the Americanized “Finkel-thal.” That small detail immediately made me feel more connected to my own characters and their world.

Listening to Auditions

How quickly do you know whether a narrator is right for the role?

I always listen to auditions all the way through. Then I download the ones I’ve starred and re-listen with headphones, paying close attention to intonation and emotional feeling. If I emotionally connect with the narration, that narrator usually makes the shortlist.

There were also practical considerations. Some male narrators auditioned, but I already knew I wanted a female voice for this project, so those auditions were immediately ruled out.

I also chose not to pursue royalty-share arrangements, so I didn’t focus on those submissions either.

Should Narrators Take Creative Risks?

Do you prefer narrators to stay neutral or bring interpretation into auditions?

I absolutely think narrators should bring passion and interpretation into an audition. Narration is not simply reading words off a page — it is performance and acting.

I also think it helps tremendously when narrators communicate openly with authors. A narrator who reaches out beforehand with questions often has a major advantage because the author can clarify pronunciations, themes, and tone before the audition even begins.

Professionalism and flexibility matter enormously. With so many AI-generated options appearing in the market, I think it’s important for narrators to emphasize that they are real human performers. That emotional authenticity matters.

Experience vs. Fit

How much does a narrator’s prior experience influence your decision?

For me, previous experience mattered less than whether the narrator felt like the right fit for the story itself.

That said, I absolutely researched narrators who auditioned. If they had other audiobooks available, I listened to samples of their previous work before making my decision.

Does Social Media Matter?

How important is a narrator’s online presence?

Honestly, social media presence was not an important factor for me. My primary concern was always the quality of the finished audiobook.

Good storytelling and emotional authenticity matter far more than follower counts.

Why Communication Matters

Do you like when narrators contact you before auditioning?

Absolutely. I think it can be a huge advantage for both the narrator and the author.

If a narrator reaches out first, the author can listen to their samples and determine whether they’re a good fit before anyone wastes time on an audition. It also gives the narrator valuable information about pronunciation, tone, and expectations.

To me, that kind of communication feels extremely professional.

Writing with Voice in Mind

Do you think about narration while writing?

At first, I didn’t. But during the editing process, I developed a habit of reading chapters aloud to myself — sometimes even performing them with accents and emotional inflection.

Hearing the dialogue spoken out loud helps me understand rhythm, pacing, emotional realism, and even grammar issues that I might miss while silently reading.

Social Media and Marketing

How do you approach marketing as an author?

I typically begin creating a marketing plan about eight to ten weeks before a release. Since Golden Flight is my second novel, I’m already ahead of schedule with promotional planning.

Leading up to a launch, I usually post daily across six social media platforms. For me, success is less about follower counts and more about creating engaging, meaningful content.

Collaborating with narrators and others connected to the project is incredibly valuable because it expands audience reach for everyone involved.

What Authors Wish Narrators Understood

What do you wish narrators knew about publishing?

I wish more narrators understood just how difficult it is to become a published author.

• 90% of people want to write a book

• Of that 90%, only 17% actually complete a manuscript

• Of that 17%, only 3% publish their novel

• Of that 3%, only 0.026% will sell more than 1,000 copies in their lifetime

So when an author creates an audiobook, it is an incredibly meaningful milestone and should be treated seriously.

The audiobook industry is also projected to grow enormously over the next decade. Between aging populations losing eyesight, busy lifestyles, declining attention spans, and rising illiteracy rates, audiobooks are becoming increasingly important and accessible for modern audiences.

Thoughts on AI in Writing and Narration

What’s your perspective on AI’s growing role in publishing?

I’ve listened to many AI-narrated audiobooks, mostly because they are inexpensive or free — and honestly, the lack of emotional depth and poor pronunciation can be terrible. You really do get what you pay for.

At the same time, I understand why some authors use them. Many independent authors simply do not have the budget to produce a professionally narrated audiobook. Because of that, AI narration will continue to exist and expand.

However, I firmly believe there will always be room for real human narrators because listeners can absolutely hear the difference between AI and genuine human emotion. Many listeners intentionally avoid AI-narrated books altogether.

As for AI-assisted writing, I think it depends on how it’s used. If AI is simply helping with grammar, formatting, or editing support, that can be useful. But authentic storytelling still comes from human experience, memory, and emotion.