Narrator Interview: Lizzie Heard

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Friday Night Writes! As always, our goal is to shine a spotlight on members of the book community and introduce readers to awesome authors, narrators, event hosts, influencers, and more.

This week, we'd like to introduce our featured guest, narrator Lizzie Heard!

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you?

I’m a wife, mother, and the insurance-paying job is nursing. While I love being a nurse, I’ve started to struggle with healthcare as a whole. I’m hoping narration can become not only a creative outlet but a full time passion in the future. I’m a published narrator as of the fall of 2025!

What are a few of your favorite things/least favorite things?

Oh gosh… Music, I sing regularly, reading of course, Mexican and Italian foods, and attempting to be organized but not always succeeding. I dislike hateful, poisonous people.

Did you always want to be a narrator?

While being a narrator was never something specifically I imagined, I can remember having discussions as a teen with my mom about how cool voice over work would be; she and I both dreamt of doing voice over for cartoons! When I learned narration was something attainable, I leaned into that dream!

If not, what did you want to be when you were a child?

A Broadway singer or an Egyptologist. Obviously neither happened!

When did you know you wanted to be a narrator?

A few years ago, after the first year of Sinful Signings. I had been following some narrators on social media and then met a few in person at the event… I came home telling my husband all about it!

Besides voice acting, do you have any hobbies? Do any of your characters share the same interests as you?

Other than reading and singing, not much hahaha! No time. 😄 I think I have the same love of books that Ana from Antlers & Anxiety does, and while I can’t say it’s a shared interest… I have a healthy admiration for Caitlin Mor’s penchant for offing horrible people hahaha!

Do you have anything that you’re truly passionate about outside of writing? (Could be a cause, a project, etc.)

Something I wish I could give more of my time to is pediatric health education. I feel like our society as a whole is too reactive in its approach to health. So many people don’t understand that value of preventative care, especially in childhood. One of the things I love about being a nurse is when I have the rare opportunity to educate patients and their families about their health and options in their care.

How long have you been narrating?

I’ve been published since the fall, but I began working on my first audiobook earlier in 2025.

Which genres do you voice act for? Do you specialize in a particular genre?

So far I have narrated cozy horror and romance. I absolutely loved doing both genres. I’m open to a lot of other genres as well, though.

How do you decide which books to narrate? Is there any criteria for automatic yes/no when choosing a project?

This is where I don’t have as much experience. But life experience in general has taught me that I’m allowed to be a teensy bit picky. I don’t want to commit myself to a book that doesn’t peek my interest, because I’d be concerned it would hurt the narration as a whole. So I’m trying to be mindful in what I take on, I feel my enjoyment in the work will come through.

What do you enjoy most and least about being a voice actor?

I most enjoy the actual recording. Getting into the flow of the stories, the characters' emotions, all of it. My least favorite is the editing/audio production process. While it is becoming ‘easier’ as I go and I learn more of the technical side of it, I’m a perfectionist and am very self-critical.

Authors deal with writer’s block, is there something similar in the Voice Acting field, and how do you deal with it?

I have had moments in which I’ve struggled to ‘find’ a character again after having to pause in my work. I picked up the book I was narrating and read it as a reader again, instead of a narrator, and that helped me find the vibe and rhythm again.

Do you have any voice acting routines (things you do that help you narrate)?

I do full vocal warmups before every narration session, and I do those in my recording space so that I’m able to get into the mindset of recording. I always have a massive amount of water at the ready, along with hot teas. Oh, and chapstick. I have to have chapstick.

Do you prefer to narrate Indie published books, or traditionally published books?

The more I can highlight and bring attention to indie authors, the better!

How many WIPs do you have going right now? Can you tell us anything about them?

As of right now I’m submitting auditions and open to conversations with authors!

How many books do you currently have published? Tell us about them.

Two!

My first is Apothecary of Curiosities: Vol 1, written by Samantha Moran! It’s a collection of cozy horror tales with the main character being Cailtin Mor - the Grim Reaper/Death. I found her very relatable, honestly, and I loved everything about her. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay Samantha for her generosity in allowing my first narration to be one of her books.

My second narration is a short story, Antlers & Anxiety by Lola Bliss. It’s a sapphic romance reindeer shifter story that’s a perfect holiday treat. It was a lot of fun to narrate and dip my toes into spice!

Where do you get the inspiration for your voices?

Oh gosh… I guess I just go with the emotions I get while reading the story! I have asked Samantha and Lola both if they had specific accents or people they envisioned while writing certain characters, and I’ve done my best to embody that.

Are there any other narrators who have inspired you?

Oh gosh, how many can I list???

Paige Reisenfeld is a huge inspiration to me. Her talent and resume are exceptional.

Blanca Frappier is an angel. She is not only insanely talented, she is incredibly kind and has been a huge help to me in my journey.

Carmen Seantel’s talent and work is so admirable. She’s amazing.

I have to say all the narrators I have spoken to have been so open and welcoming. I haven’t encountered one bit of gatekeeping entering this field.

Do you prefer standalone books or book series?

Both!

Do you have a favorite and least favorite of your characters? Why?

Death’s sister, Privatia, comes to mind first. She’s the most horrid person. She reminds me of a stereotypical high school ‘mean girl’, and the fact that she‘s not only jealous but absolutely clueless to what Caitlin endures is obnoxious and horrible.

How do you handle the narrator/life balance? (i.e. voice acting/editing/graphic design/home life/etc.)

I don’t get a lot of sleep hahaha. I do a lot of my narration work when the house is sleeping, or on a day when I can be sure no one else is in the house.

What do you do for your mental health and to recharge your creativity?

I try to find joy in the small moments. Singing in the car by myself. Reading late into the quiet night. Listening to an audiobook that makes me cackle with delight!

Do you have any advice for new voice actors or people who hope to become one?

Just go for it. You never know how it’s going to go or if you’ll truly love it or not if you don’t try!

What was your most recent five-star read?

Villains of Merit by Kennedy Sutton

Do you believe in aliens? Ghosts?

Yes and yes. I am not so small minded to think we are the only ones in this universe. Also I freaking love alien romance! As for ghosts… I have too many friends and family members who have had experiences to deny their existence.

What would you use to survive the zombie apocalypse? Why?

My husband!!! He would be overly prepared and have a plan in place within minutes.

Where can we find you online?

Lizzie Heard Narrator on TikTok

My Website

Do you have any planned events?

I’ll be at Sinful Signings in Roanoke, VA in March!!

I hope to go to other events as well, but that may not happen until next year.

Thank you so much for joining us, Lizzie! It's been a pleasure chatting with you!

To all of our readers, thanks for spending some time with our guest narrator this week! We hope you've enjoyed this interview! In the meantime, be sure to check out Lizzie's links so you can keep up to date with her journey. Building a better, stronger community is what Friday Night Writes is all about!

Be sure to join us next week when we talk to author Jeanette T Queen!

See you soon!

The Friday Night Writes Crew

Evie Black & Samantha Moran

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