Meet an Employee Owner: Rebekah Caris
/
“Be kind to yourself and be proud of everything you accomplish – even the small steps! That shift in mindset can make a huge difference in how you approach the journey of being a self-published author.”
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 delighted to introduce you to Promotions Specialist (and sometime webinar presenter) Rebekah Caris! Rebekah is approaching her fourth anniversary at FriesenPress, where her infectious enthusiasm gives a big boost to authors as they promote their books to their readers.
What drew you toward applying to join the FriesenPress team?
Books have always been a huge part of my life. Ever since I was young, I have loved diving into new worlds and learning new things through reading. I constantly had a book in my bag to dive into during any free time.
I had pursued a career in education, but when I moved to Canada from the US, I decided I wanted to explore what else was out there that aligned with the things I love. I have a huge heart for helping others, especially through teaching and collaborating, and I wanted a career that allowed me to use my skills and values.
A friend mentioned their role at FriesenPress to me, and it felt like the perfect marriage of a love for books and my passion for helping and teaching others. Knowing it was a smaller Canadian company with a great team environment made the choice easy!
What do you find most rewarding about your role?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is providing my authors with a confidence boost and acting as their cheerleader. Writing a book and diving into promotions can be a daunting adventure for some; I find that openly discussing challenges and concerns helps authors gain the momentum and confidence they need!
Tell us a bit about your life outside of work – what are some activities and/or interests that fill your cup?
Reading is a major pastime for me outside of work. Some of my favorite genres include romance and fantasy. I have always been a big reader and can still remember sitting in elementary school crying while reading Where the Red Fern Grows. Books are a great way to explore places you’ve never been—from my favorite Egyptology book as a kid, to the forests of Forks (Twilight), and even to other worlds (The Fifth Season).
Outside of that, I am often playing video games with my husband or going on a walk with our dog! I’ve also recently started learning a bit of Dutch, which has the added bonus of helping me find my favorite liquorice at the Dutch Import Store (Zacht Zout – soft and salty, don’t knock it until you try it!).
What are some of your favourite books, authors, or reading experiences?
Some of my favorite authors include:
Jennifer L. Armentrout – She has written so many amazing series that I’ve loved. From the Blood and Ash series to her older works like Covenant and Wicked, her writing is immersive; her characters feel truly human in their passions and flaws.
Annette Marie – I found her books by chance through my local library and had so much fun with her Guild Codex series. The "found family" tropes, unique magic systems, and character dynamics kept me coming back to these books over and over. Once I was hooked, I had to read every series she’s written!
What does being an employee owner of Friesens and FriesenPress mean to you?
Being an employee owner means being more involved in the company itself. We are able to provide feedback and ideas, allowing us to have a more integrated role within FriesenPress. It’s also meaningful to understand the details of our operations, our goals, and how we allocate our budget.
Many companies have stakeholders who may not understand the day-to-day nuances of the services provided. In those cases, they might set goals that don't align with the reality of the employees on the ground. As employee-owners, we work much more closely with our leaders and are kept in the loop regarding upcoming changes or initiatives down the line.
Looking back across all the conversations you’ve had and books you’ve worked on, what projects jump out as being particularly noteworthy or special to you?
There are several projects that really stick out to me, but Hope for America’s Youth by Jane Edwards Sutter is a project very close to my heart. As an American who immigrated to Canada and previously worked in education, I continue to have a deep passion for ensuring that our youth are given the opportunities and strategies to break down barriers in their lives.
Jane is the former President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County, and it was so clear that she wanted to open doors for youth in her community and beyond. I was honored to work with an author who shared my heart for this mission and to help her create a marketing plan that encourages everyone to support the young people in their lives.
What’s a piece of writing and/or publishing advice that you wish more writers knew (and why)?
Really invest in your community, whether that is in person or online. Starting from the ground up as an author can be difficult – even for traditionally published authors – but building a community goes such a long way. Connect with other authors, book reviewers, and relevant organizations; finding these groups is made easier by reading within your genre and taking the time to engage with people who share your interests. Establish your platforms early, in some cases before you even start writing, and focus on making genuine connections!
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your role helping authors at FriesenPress?
Sometimes, people just need a little encouragement to take the leap. You can have all the tools and resources at your disposal, but if you don’t believe in yourself and your project, you might accidentally get in your own way. Be kind to yourself and be proud of everything you accomplish – even the small steps! That shift in mindset can make a huge difference in how you approach the journey of being a self-published author.
Asked by our previous respondent, Jodi: if you could swap roles with someone at FriesenPress for a day, what would it be and why?
I would swap with the designers. Their job honestly seems like magic to me. I would love to jump in and explore the tools at their disposal and see the beautiful projects they’re working on. In promotions, we get to be creative when building websites and in the delivery of our services, but designing a full cover and learning the intricacies of interior book layout would be fascinating!
