Meet an Employee Owner: Hannah Monteith
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“Every person I work with, whether they are an author or part of our team, has their own story and perspective. I’ve learned to lean in with curiosity and always leave the door open to learn new things.”
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.
For our penultimate edition, we’re connecting with FriesenPress’s Director of Author Success, Hannah Monteith! Hannah joined FriesenPress as a Book Promotion Specialist in June 2014. In the 12 years since, Hannah has evolved into a cornerstone of the executive team that steers the company forward.
What drew you toward applying to join the FriesenPress team?
I was fresh out of university and, after travelling around South America for a couple of months, was ready to step into the job market. My focus at university, and vocation since high school, had been marketing and communications, so it was a natural fit for me to stumble upon the Promotion Specialist position at FriesenPress. Not nearly as avid a reader as I am today, I was initially drawn to the idea of applying the marketing knowledge I had gained to help people, rather than promote companies.
Driven to grow and develop as a professional, this role was a great entry-level fit and provided the runway I needed to develop my management and leadership skills – the ultimate direction I wanted to go.
What do you find most rewarding about your role?
I’ve had the privilege in every role I’ve had at FriesenPress to be a coach in some form or another. Initially, this was coaching authors through the highs and lows of promotion – where they would be confronted with the challenges, complexity, and excitement of sharing their book with their community of readers.
As my roles shifted into more of a leadership capacity, my focus also shifted toward the teams I was leading. Whether holding space for a challenging interaction, teaching a new skill set, delivering an organizational change, or coaching leadership development, I love helping my team grow their understanding, confidence, and skill set. It is an amazing feeling to watch this coaching come full circle and to share in the moment everything clicks.
Tell us a bit about your life outside of work – what are some activities and/or interests that fill your cup?
The moment my computer is turned off, I am moving my body. Whether it’s a dog walk, hike, yoga, a workout, yard work, or paddleboarding, movement is my greatest source of grounding. I’ve practiced yoga for almost 20 years and am a registered instructor (not currently teaching).
I love textiles, design, and building with my hands. I am a weaver, knitter, potter, jewelry maker, and general DIY crafter. In the warmer months, I can be found in my garden (trying not to kill my plants) or working on some landscaping project or another. To recharge, I can be found in a sauna, cozy with tea and friends, or reading.
What are some of the best reading experiences you’ve ever had? Why are they so remarkable to you?
A couple of years ago, I walked into Indigo to buy a Kobo. I was spending too much money on books and challenged myself to start reading eBooks, ideally from the library. I walked into the store and immediately started looking at the tables full of books (things were off to a great start) where I picked up the newly released paperback of Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead. Weighing something like 5 pounds with a deckle edge (rough, uncut, feathered paper edges) and gatefolds, beautifully textured paper, and a debossed title – this was the most satisfying book I’ve ever picked up. I knew nothing about the story but walked off to find my new Kobo…with a new paperback book in hand.
I now love Barbara Kingsolver and Demon Copperhead is a fabulous book – the Kobo eReader is nice, but it has not replaced paper books by a long shot!
What does being an employee owner of Friesens and FriesenPress mean to you?
Being an employee owner means feeling a sense of responsibility to the whole company. Rather than looking at decisions right in front of you, it’s a call to look at the entire picture and think more holistically.
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?
I’ve had the privilege of leading the development of all 23 editions of the FriesenPress Catalogue. Published bi-annually, it’s always been a special opportunity to see our books showcased together.
Over the years, I've watched our cover designs grow increasingly sophisticated, consistently setting a high bar for quality. I’ve seen reader reviews pour in, reflecting deep connections with our authors' work, and I’ve watched our awards and special mentions section quadruple.
While I’ve had thousands of wonderful conversations with authors, what truly stands out isn't any single moment, but the incredible collective body of work we have the privilege to share with the world.
What’s a piece of writing and/or publishing advice that you wish more writers knew (and why)?
If commercial appeal matters to you, I recommend seeking feedback on your writing early and often. Build a trusted circle of people who can offer compassionate, honest feedback to help elevate your work. Once your book is published, you'll encounter all kinds of reviews. Having worked through feedback early on equips you to put your work out into the world with confidence.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your role helping authors at FriesenPress?
Every person I work with, whether they are an author or part of our team, has their own story and perspective. I’ve learned to lean in with curiosity and always leave the door open to learn new things. I love it when we get to the same outcome via a different path; I strive to be curious about and take the time to be led down their path.
Asked by our previous respondent, Braden: what is your favourite aspect of self-publishing that makes you excited to do the work you do?
I love book design! I have always loved the process of taking a concept from an author's head and translating it into a brief and then watching it transform into a visual masterpiece. Our designers are spectacular at what they do and creative on a whole other level. Any time I have the opportunity to be a part of these conversations, I am in my happy place.
