Tammara Kennelly
Award winning President of FriesenPress
Tammara is the award winning President of FriesenPress. After assuming the helm in 2013, Tammara dug in with the intention of transforming the financial, cultural and service practices of the company. And she succeeded— brilliantly! —and was recognized by Viatec in 2014 as Executive of the Year. Of course, she could not have done this by herself. She has 40 incredible employees supporting and advising her every step of the way and a stable of thousands of authors that are strong advocates for FriesenPress recognizing them as standouts in the Self-Publishing marketplace. FriesenPress is a company that does things differently: ethical, value driven and passionate about the work we do, the service we deliver and the books we produce.
Tammara has had an incredibly varied past when it comes to education and employment. She holds her degree in Criminology and her Executive MBA with a specialization in Leadership. She has volunteered in many correctional facilities, sat on the board for a shelter for women and children, and fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars for her community over the last 20 years in her time with the Credit Union. Starting her career at a library, she was drawn away after 5 years, spending the next 15 years in banking and foreign exchange and working with small local companies and Fortune 500 heavyweights alike. With her role as President of FriesenPress, she has been able to incorporate her original passion back into her work.
Fast forward to today, Tammara is once again working in an industry that was her first love, and building a culture in the workplace that engages and delights employees who pay it forward to FriesenPress’ wonderful authors, offering them world class, personalized service. In her spare time, Tammara spends time with her daughter Emma and her dog Lucy. She loves whipping up a new recipe while sipping a glass of red wine and enjoys hiking and trying anything new that scares her…just a little.
You can follow Tammara Kennelly here
Visit My WebsiteQ&A with Vincent
As President of FriesenPress what have been some of the challenges you have experienced over the past few years in regards to the self publishing industry and the digital revolution in terms of books?
I think the most significant challenge that self-publishing has faced is the stigma; the label that it was plastered with early on of “vanity publishing”. The truth is, today self-publishers are producing books whose quality would rival any traditionally published book. Self-publishing is not seen as the last choice anymore. It is seen as the most flexible, empowering and economically advantageous choice.
Having said that, as the growth of the self-publishing industry explodes, it is incumbent upon the keepers to develop products and services that are relevant, value-laden, effective and affordable.
We not only need to respond to an ever changing industry, but also an economy that is constantly shifting. Whether it be a recession that restricts the consumers wallet, or the challenges we are facing right now with the weakening dollar.
Do you have any advice to aspiring writers?
Break the overwhelming task of writing a book into small digestible bits. Start with a mind map of ideas, create your outline and chapters and challenge yourself to write small pieces with great regularity. You won’t love everything you produce, but the discipline of writing regularly will help you hone your craft and will eventually produce something you are proud to call yours. By the way, we are our worst critics. Keep this in mind.
What are the ingredients for a blockbuster story to you?
Great character development. I want to love them, or hate them. I want to relate to them or not get it at all. I want to laugh with them and cry with them. I want to miss them dearly before I even read the last page. This was how I felt as I finished each book in Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series.
What story do you enjoy reading over and over again?
Robert Munsch’s “Love You Forever”. I will never forget the first time I read that book to my daughter. I still well up with tears when I read it to her.
How would you increase literacy?
Remind people that libraries are a wonderful place that are open to everyone and free. Not much is free anymore. Libraries still are. Having worked in a library shelving books for 5 years, I have an incredible attachment to and passion for libraries and the printed word. You can travel to any corner of the world, slay a dragon, cook an exotic dish, train a hamster, grow a garden, learn a new language, restore an old car and learn to read, all within the four walls of a library.
What is your favorite drink while writing and/or reading?
A nice deep dark earthy red Malbec.
What is your favorite tech brand? App?
My favorite app must be paired with another, for as a team they are a powerful force in my household. I love Pinterest for discovering new recipes and pinning them. So whomever in my household has cooking duties that day, they can just grab a recipe from my board. Pair that with Asana for keeping our grocery list up to date in real time and accessible whenever one of us runs into the store. Dynamic duo!
What is your favorite genre of music, artist?
Having lived through so many great decades of music I love everything from Kiss and Queen in the 70’s, to the long hair glam bands of the 80’s like Bon Jovi and Motley Crue, to garage band grunge in the 90’s like Nirvana and Pearl Jam to my tamer mommy days in the 2000’s listening to classical while pregnant (hey they said it was good for baby’s development!) to the likes of the Doodle Bops and Raffi. Pretty wide range! Today, my favorite concert experiences have been Jack Johnson outdoors at Deer Lake Park. Epic! And Bryan Adams recent “best of” tour. What a walk down memory lane. Sigh…
What is your favorite movie, tv show, superhero?
My all time favorite movie is Slapshot. Such a classic from the 70’s that makes me laugh every time.
What is your must have snack?
If I have a glass of Malbec, it must be accompanied by extra large green olives stuffed with blue cheese. Yum!
If heaven exists, what is the first thing you would like to hear from God when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Your mom has been waiting for you.
What ice cream flavor would you invent?
Why mess with perfection when pink bubble gum already exists. That’s my favorite!