Heather O'Connell - Designer
London, United Kingdom
Helping you negotiate the complex world of book production, turning your creative vision into a commercial reality.
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Overview
I am an experienced production professional, offering project management, production services, strategic buying and workflow consultancy.
Over the years I have worked on children's novelty books, high profile novels, non-fiction and everything in-between.
I provide a tailor-made service for my clients, to make the complex world of book production simple and easy to understand, helping them to avoid some of the costly and time-consuming mistakes that can be so easy to make.
I use my extensive network to ensure that their books are produced by the people best suited to their needs, making sure they get value for money and meet their schedules.
For my larger clients I develop buying strategies, to make sure every pound counts and help them to create the most appropriate workflows to meet their business needs.
Recent projects include:
The concept and delivery of the 'What's so Special about' dinosaur series for Dragonfly Press. (A full colour, illustrated series of children's non-fiction picture books.)
The production for Mayer le Boeuf, a small non-fiction author/publisher.
Production and operational support for Fridhem Publishing, a new micro-publisher of Scandinavian fiction.
I also teach the production and ops module on the UCL Publishing MA programme and provide production training to those working in the industry.
Services
Fiction
Adventure
Anthologies
Children's Picture Books
Classics
Crime & Mystery
Literature
Non-Fiction
Cooking & Food Wine & Spirits
Entertainment
Health & wellbeing
Music
Work experience
Group Production Director
Harper Collins
November, 2009
–
May, 2010
(6 months)
Production Director
Penguin Publishing
October, 2004
–
November, 2009
(about 5 years)
Portfolio (10 selected works)
What's So Special About Stegosaurus?
Nicky Dee
Stegosaurus is described as having a body almost the size of a bus, a head the size of a horse and a brain the size of a walnut! Discover how fast it could move with the Speed-o-Meter, how terrifying it was on the Scary Scale, and which of today's animals it most resembles.
What's So Special About Leaellynasaura?
Nicky Dee
Leaellynasaura was a turkey-sized herbivore that survived in a part of Australia that used to be much further south than it is today, attached to a vast polar continent. Discover how fast it could move with the Speed-o-Meter, how terrifying it was on the Scary Scale, and which of today's animals it most resembles.
T. rex is one of the best killing machines ever to walk the Earth! Discover how fast it could move with the Speed-o-Meter, how terrifying it was on the Scary Scale, and which of today's animals it most resembles.
What's So Special About Coelophysis?
Nicky Dee
Coelophysis is one of the best known dinosaurs, as thousands of fossils were discovered all in one place. Discover how fast it could move with the Speed-o-Meter, how terrifying it was on the Scary Scale, and which of today's animals it most resembles.
A radical reappraisal of mental illness Madness, melancholy, insanity, lunacy, craziness, loco: a dizzying litany of words are used to describe a condition we don’t truly understand. Despite centuries of scientific study, many mental disorders remain untreatable and their causes not understood. The consequences are terrible, both in human suffering and the economic impact of millions of unprod... read more
The Logic of Self-Destruction: The Algorithm of Human Rationality
Matthew Blakeway
Why do knowingly act in ways that undermine our own wellbeing, like loving the wrong person or staying in an unfulfilling job? Why are ideologies so compelling? Why are we so convinced that our own, deeply held views are irrefutable?The Logic of Self-Destruction argues that our beliefs are at the heart of our problems, and that if we can see the human brain for what it really is - a robustly l... read more
The Bitter Trade
Piers Alexander
My guide to making you a better cook. I can't tell you how long I've dreamed about writing this book. It's the biggest book I've ever done, and I've really tried to make it a timeless, modern-day classic. Whether you're a student, a young couple, an established cook, or a novice, I'll take you through a whole load of simple and accessible recipes that will blow the socks off your family and an... read more
A handy and easy-to-use guide containing more than 3,000 commonly found marks for all types of pottery and porcelain, with information on the makers, factories and artists they represent for on-the-spot reference. Line drawings illustrate the different styles and patterns. Everyone from the novice to the expert collector—and auctioneers too—will want to own this.
Miller's Collectibles Price Guide 1996-97
Judith Miller, Martin Miller
This is the only annual price guide to the ever-expanding field of collectables. Over 6000 fully captioned photographs are featured, covering a wide range of traditional and more unusual collecting areas, from aeronautica to walking sticks, breweriana and the up-and-coming fields of the 1950s and 1960s. Essential reference for both boot fair and auction.
Heather has 1 review
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Communication
Heather is an outstanding professional. She is extremely knowledgable, enthusiastic and adds value to every project. We have really enjoyed working with her. She is quite simply the best in the business. Highly recommended.
Read moreRubina Mian, July 2018
Thank you so much for such a lovely review.
Reply from Heather O'Connell
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