In the first instalment of Meet the Team, we meet Olivia Eisinger. Olivia is the Editorial Director at Book Brilliance Publishing.
Describe your job in 30-50 words.
I am a freelance editor and proofreader. This entails shaping manuscripts – either a brief outline or an entire manuscript – and ensuring that the words and ideas flow to help engage the reader.
What inspired you to become an Editor?
I ADORE reading anything and everything, and always have done – I was a bookworm as a child! I love language, both the shape of it on the page and the sound of it through the spoken word.
Why is editing important?
Editing is about guiding the author to produce a professional piece of work that they can be proud of – clarifying sections and ensuring the writing and arc of the story flow, as well as using interesting language and checking grammar and punctuation errors. The author is so invested in their writing that they often can’t see the wood for the trees.
If you could edit a book by any author, who would it be and why?
I love to immerse myself in editing anything that has passion, integrity and that extra ‘something’.
What is your favourite book and why?
My favourite book is Bleak House by Charles Dickens. It is a wonderful story with the usual mix of absurd, hilarious, poignant and interesting characters. In addition, it deals with important themes such as family, integrity and kindness versus the law and the state. I have read it at different points in my life and each time I discover something new. This to me is the definition of a ‘classic’ book.