Kate Olesin Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

We mix science and imagination to spark curiosity! Co-founder of a custom content creation and editorial services firm specializing in kids nonfiction publishing, audio, and digital. Focuses on developing dynamic 360 degree content to build nonfiction brands and franchises.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Led editorial strategy and oversaw mass market publishing program for National Geographic Kids Books, including bestsellers and top revenue drivers, approximately 50 titles per year. Regularly generated content ideas across categories and media platforms (digital, magazine, web, video) and focused on developing innovative new series with retail potential. Acquired and edited author- and platform-driven picture books and narrative titles while also leading activity and licensed publishing strategy. Personally edited up to 10 titles per year. Managed a team of three editors by reviewing editorial work, leading team meetings, and mentoring professional growth.• Launched Zeus the Mighty and Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad, two middle-grade fiction series under new house imprint and positioned as 360 degree media properties. Produced and assisted with development of supplementary franchise materials including world building and character bible, 5-year ancillary publishing plan, podcast, and comic strip.• Spearheaded brainstorms and generated custom publishing plans for potential licensees • Created a workflow presentation as a department training tool. Standardized editorial workflow by implementing new processes in an effort to make book creation more efficient.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Edited approximately 15 titles per year, involving book development and planning, managing project teams, budgeting, negotiating contracts, and editing manuscripts and layouts. Focused on doubling down on existing series, generating new ideas, and developing franchises to grow and expand list. Developed strategic publishing plans for certain markets to drive more growth and generate revenue. Edited prestigious authors, fostered new writing talent, and supervised an associate editor.• Created kid-friendly book products that aligned with company-wide content initiatives and programs, including Animal Ark by Kwame Alexander, a picture book which paired with a high-profile conservation photography project by Joel Sartore.• Conceptualized and pitched publishing strategies across a variety of topic areas and genres.• Managed publishing relationship with licensees, including six-book, multi-year program with kids video game company WildWorks, creators of Animal Jam.• Developed and launched new series, including Ultimate Secrets Revealed, an illustrated fun reference about the bizarre wonders of Earth; and Jumbo Just Joking, a humor book filled with more than 1,000 jokes and photos.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Acted as project manager for approximately 10 titles per year, developed new series, expanded bestselling franchises into new topics and formats, and acquired new solo titles. Grew relationships with current authors and cultivated new talent. • Brought prestigious authors to the list, including award-winning writer Anita Silvey. Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall outperformed expectations, garnered starred reviews, coverage in major media outlets, won several awards, and secured publication on many best book lists for 2015.• Nurtured and grew revenue-generating series, including expanding the bestselling Weird But True (7 million copies in print) into activity books.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Project managed approximately 8 titles per year and assisted senior-level editors with their workload during a period of expansion as house title output doubled from 50 to 100 books a year. Managed kids calendar line, continuing series, picture books, and other solo titles. Developed and maintained relationships with trusted authors. • Collaborated with institutions and key partners on titles, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Imangi Studios the makers of the app Temple Run. • Developed new line of pet behavioral visual guidebooks and assisted with development of 8-book endangered animals series which included a call to action campaign. • Produced custom mini-books for national dollar store outlets

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Edited about 5 titles per year. Supported senior editorial staff on their book projects by performing project management, research, and writing assignments. Handled most departmental administrative tasks, including managing staff calendars, developing and updating official publishing planning documents, and handling incoming submissions. Managed and evaluated up to four interns per semester.• Developed and launched picture book series for ages 4-8 featuring real animals whose stories tell a social and emotional message, with themes such as adoption, leadership, friendship, and anti-bullying.• Created a year-at-a-glance publishing chart in InDesign for internal and executive use.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Assisted department staff with administrative tasks and managed editor-in-chief’s calendar, booked travel, created presentations, and implemented new electronic filing and approval systems. Supported other editors as needed on book projects. Evaluated the slush pile and drafted rejection letters. Planned department-wide events and hired and managed up to four interns per semester.• Overhauled entire contract request process and department filing systems by moving to electronic methods.• Eliminated a large backlog of late and missing payments to contractors and refreshed payment tracking system.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Co-created a children's radio show on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live based on content from one of National Geographic Kids bestselling book series. Wrote, researched, and co-hosted more than 30 episodes of The Weird But True Show, an upbeat program that dives into some of the world's wackiest and wildest facts. Earned the Silver Award in the Best Children/Young Adult category from the New York Festivals Radio Awards in 2018.

Washington D.C. Metro Area