Meet the Team: Tia Friesen
By Tia Friesen
Within the past year, Word Alive Press has welcomed a new Project Manager to their team. Tia (Scarborough) Friesen is a wonderful asset with her quick wit and hard work ethic. We’ve asked her a couple of questions, and she has provided the answers below, so you can get to know her a little better.
1. What is your favourite book and why?
I once heard someone say that choosing a favourite book was like choosing which limb you’d least like to lose, and I tend to agree with that statement. That being said, one of my favourite books is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I love her use of the English language, it’s beautiful to read and really lights the fire of imagination. I also love the character of Jane. I love her strength of character and her passion for life. She’s very intelligent, creative, and loyal, which are personality traits that I truly respect and admire.
2. What is your favourite part about publishing?
I fell in love with the written word at a very young age, and I truly believe that, to play any part in bringing our authors’ books to life, is a huge honour. With that in mind, I think my favourite part of the publishing process is when I actually get to hold the final product in my hand I know that I helped to make it happen.
3. What do people find surprising about you?
That I am a huge Fan Girl. I love Doctor Who, video games, and cos-play.
4. If you could meet with any historical figure, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Winston Churchill, no contest. He was brilliant, creative, a great orator and writer, and had such a passion for his country’s people and history. He was someone who, even though his own father believed wouldn’t amount to much, became one of the greatest leaders the world’s ever seen in the darkest of times. He seems to me to be the reason for Shakespeare’s line, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” On the lighter side, he was also a cheeky, cheeky, guy who I think must have been hilarious to be around.
5. What is a hobby of yours?
Aside from reading, I love to paint.
6. Would you rather read digital or paper books?
I collect antique books, and just love the smell and feel of an actual book. However, I love to read some of the more obscure classic novels that are no longer in print, so I find the fact that they are available to download for free as a digital copy to be something I’m really happy to have available to me.
7. How many physical books do you own?
Well, it’s been some time since I’ve counted, but I’d say that we have between 500-600 books in our house.
8. What book is on your nightstand right now?
I’ve always had multiple books on the go actually, so I have many books on my nightstand. At present I have Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Jane Eyre, How to be a Canadian, The Swarm, and my Bible.