Kara Turner
Apeltunvegen 38B, Nesttun
Summary
Versatile editor and project manager with global expertise in non-fiction book publishing, successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Presents advanced editing, networking and corporate communications skills. Committed to supporting company's initiatives with a willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
PROJECT EDITOR
Freelance
11.2022 - Current
- Provide creative project management services, book acquisitions support, manuscript feedback and line editing services.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams for successful completion of small and large-scale creative projects.
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER (part-time)
Art Quilt Publishing
03.2016 - 11.2022
- Managed the new book publications, marketing and social media for this art book publisher affiliated with the Laurie Swim Art Gallery.
- Organized promotional events and book launches, generating buzz around new releases and driving sales performance.
- Leveraged social media platforms to engage readers and build online communities around published content.
ACQUISITIONS EDITOR
Formac Publishing
04.2017 - 07.2022
- Identified new market opportunities and generated new non-fiction book project ideas.
- Streamlined communication between editorial, design, and production departments to facilitate seamless project transitions.
- Developed lasting partnerships with authors, agents, and other industry professionals.
- Negotiated contracts, evaluated incoming manuscripts and worked with authors and illustrators until the manuscripts were ready for production.
- Provided concise and constructive editorial feedback to authors to improve story writing. Edited and evaluated final copy to verify content aligned with established guidelines.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to create promotional materials for new releases, contributing to successful launches.
MANAGING EDITOR (part-time)
Agile Libre
02.2011 - 05.2020
- Jack-of-all-trades for this small Open Access academic publishing company that I ran with my husband.
- Maintained editorial standards by enforcing adherence to style guides, grammar rules, and ethical journalism principles.
- Oversaw publication of digital and print products, aligning multi-media content strategies to maintain cohesive brand identity.
- Utilized SEO techniques to optimize content for search engine rankings.
- Posted and promoted articles on social media platforms to engage target audience.
ENTREPRENEUR (part-time)
Little Traveller: Baby Equipment Rentals
06.2008 - 12.2010
- Purchased a business, expanded and developed it, and later sold it for a profit while I was a stay-at-home mother.
- Built strong brand recognition and customer loyalty by delivering high-quality products and services consistently over time.
- Generated additional revenue streams through constructive partner and client relationships.
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Altitude Publishing
06.2002 - 12.2007
- Managed all aspects of the company's editorial and creative output including contracts, budgets, schedules, and design and editorial quality and consistency.
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish. Responsible for the in-house editorial office staff of 5 plus more than 100 freelance writers, editors, and designers.
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
- Edited more than 100 books for publication.
- Developed and implemented effective book marketing strategies. Attended book fairs, sales meetings and creative pitches worldwide on behalf of the company.
- Conducted market research to identify trends and potential areas of growth for the company.
MANAGING EDITOR
Weigl Educational Publishers
09.2000 - 06.2002
- Managed a creative in-house staff of 20 including training, budgeting, scheduling, workflow analysis, and implementation of new procedures.
- Mentored junior editors and writers, improving their skills and overall team performance.
- Developed new book series for grades K–12 in accordance with Alberta's curriculum requirements.
- Prepared, rewrote, and edited pieces to improve readability and impact.
- Attended Department of Education and grant-funding meetings on behalf of the company, as well as international trade book shows in Bologna and Frankfurt.
- Maintained editorial standards by enforcing adherence to style guides, grammar rules, and ethical journalism principles.
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR / BOOK CLUB COORDINATOR
Sandviks Bokforlag
08.1997 - 09.2000
- Created and oversaw production schedules and budgets.
- Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.
- Participated in strategic planning and negotiated foreign-rights acquisitions with major British and US publishing companies.
- Created schedules for 10 book-of-the-month clubs and collaborated with other staff to communicate objectives and goals.
- Travelled for meetings at printing factories in Europe and Hong Kong/China, and to book fairs across Europe.
COMMISSIONING EDITOR
George Philip's, Reed Books
04.1993 - 08.1997
- Commissioned and edited new non-fiction titles
- Set up an advisory panel of professors from major UK and US universities.
- Assisted with day-to-day editorial operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Geography
Durham University
Durham, England05.1992
Master of Science - Radon Gas (GIS/Computing/Geography)
Durham University
Durham, England1995
Skills
- Project management
- Workflow optimization
- Strategic content development
- Relationship building
- Creative direction
- Team collaboration
Other Achievements
PUBLISHED AUTHOR // Formac Publishing 2020
The Ultimate Nova Scotia Quiz Book – illustrated, full colour quiz book for kids.
COMMUNITY COACHING CERTIFICATE // May 2018
Completed with Orienteering Nova Scotia; 0300 Level officials certificate
Awards
CANADIAN ORIENTEERING CHAMPION (2019)
Middle distance - gold F45; Sprint - bronze F45
SUPPORT FOR SPORT AWARD (2020)
Orienteering NS Volunteer of the Year
Volunteer Work
Docent Educator , Calgary Zoo // 2004 – 2006
Scarecrow Festival VP , Mahone Bay // 2010 – 2018 (Chair of family entertainment; 30,000 annual guests)
Home & School chairperson , Bayview Community School // 2010 – 2022
Social Media content manager , Mahone Bay Chamber of Commerce // 2012 – 2020 (Facebook and Instagram accounts; web site)
South Shore Orienteers founder & promoter , Nova Scotia // 2016 – 2022 (and PR rep on board of Orienteering Nova Scotia)
Community Health board member , South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater // 2016 – 2022 (Board secretary)
Awesome Foundation trustee , South Shore Nova Scotia // 2019 – 2022
South Shore Public Libraries board member , Lunenburg // 2021 – 2022 (Elected representative for Town of Mahone Bay)
Languages
English
Native language
Norwegian
Upper intermediate
B2
French
Intermediate
B1
Spanish
Intermediate
B1
Timeline
PROJECT EDITOR
Freelance
11.2022 - Current
ACQUISITIONS EDITOR
Formac Publishing
04.2017 - 07.2022
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER (part-time)
Art Quilt Publishing
03.2016 - 11.2022
MANAGING EDITOR (part-time)
Agile Libre
02.2011 - 05.2020
ENTREPRENEUR (part-time)
Little Traveller: Baby Equipment Rentals
06.2008 - 12.2010
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Altitude Publishing
06.2002 - 12.2007
MANAGING EDITOR
Weigl Educational Publishers
09.2000 - 06.2002
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR / BOOK CLUB COORDINATOR
Sandviks Bokforlag
08.1997 - 09.2000
COMMISSIONING EDITOR
George Philip's, Reed Books
04.1993 - 08.1997
Bachelor of Science - Geography
Durham University
Master of Science - Radon Gas (GIS/Computing/Geography)
Durham University
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