Meet an Employee Owner: Jamie
/
Ask any of our 11,000+ authors: it's the people who make publishing with FriesenPress so special. Why? As employee owners, we’re directly invested in you and your story, bringing a rare level of care to the book projects entrusted to us.
In our Meet an Employee Owner series, we’re getting to know some of the amazing individuals who help our authors publish their incredible books.
In this month’s edition, we’re spending some time with longtime Publishing Consultant Jamie Ollivier! Since joining our team in September 2015, Jamie has helped thousands of authors learn more about writing, publishing, and sharing their best stories with the world.
What drew you toward applying to join the FriesenPress team?
I wanted to work in a business that allows me to help people express their creativity! FriesenPress was a perfect fit
What do you find most rewarding about your role?
Speaking to authors from all over the planet, hearing their stories, and helping them reach the world with their books. These interactions put “gas in my tank” and give me energy at work. Most importantly, it makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the world!
Tell us a bit about your life outside of work – what are some activities and/or interests that fill your cup?
Living on Salt Spring Island in the Gulf islands in BC, with my wife Danielle, allows me daily access to the most beautiful country and West Coast wildness. A real outdoor nut, I am mad about cycling, trail running, being outside, and enjoying nature. I even grow herbs and make tinctures that I sell at my farm stand!
A big aquarist, I have huge fish tanks in my home office, which provide a real background for my video calls! We also have a bald eagle's nest on our property, which sits atop a 600-year-old Douglas Fir I lovingly refer to as “Doug”.
I’m so happy to be working from home while at the same time being connected to a fantastic company like FriesenPress.
What are some of your favourite books or authors?
My first, most memorable book was The Hobbit, which was read to me by my late sister Sue. She’d come home from university and spend hours reading to me. I can still remember the vivid imagery of the book.
With my appreciation of dark humour, I also love Kurt Vonnegut. Jonathan Livingston Seagull was also a big book for me, which really came along at the right time in my early teens.
What does being an employee owner of Friesens and FriesenPress mean to you?
It means that I’m part of a family with two goals: support and nurturing our authors and my colleagues at work. I love being a part of an organization that puts people first and does not push such a rigid hierarchy.
I also love the fact that our leadership team also works on the ground as well, helping anywhere they can. With everyone working together as a team, we’ve made something truly amazing!
Looking back across all the conversations you’ve had and books you’ve worked on, are there any projects that jump out as being particularly noteworthy to you?
One that comes to mind is Vanishing Wheels by Steve Van Vlaenderen.
I worked with Steve from the very beginning, helping him understand how to process his photography and get him to the point where he created a book. It features all his amazing photos of abandoned cars across the country. Steve did all this while simultaneously managing his Parkinson’s Disease, which is very inspiring to me.
We ended up printing a bulk run to highlight his photography and he sold a ton of books at car shows, while donating proceeds to Parkinsons Canada. Very gratifying indeed!
What’s a piece of writing and/or publishing advice that you wish more writers knew (and why)?
It’s important for authors to realize that they will be the ones promoting and marketing their own books. There is a fantasy out there that, if you are brilliant, the red carpets will roll out and the limos will pull up to your door after you write the book.
The reality is that, more often than not, even traditionally published authors must promote their own books. As such, you need to think of your book as a business. The day you are published, your doors are open and your job has begun — you’ll have better luck if you think of your book like that!
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your role helping authors at FriesenPress?
We give unknown, brilliant writers a chance to reach a global audience and shine. I’ve learned that great writers can come from any place or walk of life.
My biggest lesson is to be open with anyone I talk with, as they may be the next big thing. That makes me have a certain reverence for my role!
Asked by our previous respondent, Natasha: is there an aspect of writing, publishing or promoting that you find authors are most drawn towards or excited about?
For me, it’s when authors get their first books shipped to them, specifically when they open the box and hold their book in their hands. The culmination of many years of effort, finally bound into a book — and the moment many transform from writer to author.
