Rosário Araújo is an editor at Lisbon-based publishing house Oficina do Livro and an author of children’s books.
Name Rosário Alçada Araújo
Job title Editor and writer of children’s books
Company Oficina do Livro
Job Description After qualifying as a solicitor, Rosário Araújo decided to indulge her love of language instead and has been writing imaginative children’s books since 2004. Her books published by Gailivro, QuidNovi and Impala.
Her interest in writing has also led to her becoming the editor of children’s books at publishing house Oficina do Livro.
As an editor, Rosário is in charge of liaising with authors, illustrators, translators and copy-editors at the different stages a project goes through until it becomes a book.
Q: How long have you been an author and editor?
A: I published my first book in April 2004 and I started to work as an editor in January 2005.
Q: Where are you based?
A: In Lisbon, although I often travel to visit schools.
Q: What attracted you to becoming an editor and author?
A: I love children’s books. Long before I started working as an editor or as an author, I would spend whole afternoons in bookshops and libraries discovering and reading new titles. Children’s books play with the imagination and call our attention for the significance of language, and that is very important to me. A good children’s book should be a good book for any age. The challenge of taking part in the making of a book from the outset and the opportunity of seeing the result is very rewarding.
Q: What qualities equipped you for the job?
A: I always say that I landed in this job mainly by loving children’s books. Of course, you need to have some sensibility for the child’s world as well as other skills related with language and literature. But you really have to like it! My degree is in Law and I started my working life as a lawyer and a solicitor for four years. I would never have succeeded at my new career if it wasn’t for my passion for children’s books.
Q: What do you do in an average day?
A: For four days a week I work as an editor at the publishing house. I read, I analyse new books, and I think about new projects. I communicate with writers, illustrators, designers, translators, and publishing companies from abroad. As the projects are usually very different I never feel the burden of routine.
One day each week I visit schools to talk to children who have read my books. If I am coming up with a new book, I write, but this does not happen every week, or even every month! Sometimes I go to bookshops for “Storytelling Time” (“Hora do Conto” in Portuguese), and tell one of my stories to the children.
Q: What do you love most about it?
A: It’s marvellous to see a book take shape and to feel that you are part of it, especially when you really like the book – the text, the plot, the illustrations – and can see ways of improving it. When you edit a book you feel it becomes a little bit yours.
As an author, it is wonderful to exploit the power of imagination. It is also rewarding to meet the readers of my books (including adults) and listen to their feedback. And it is also amazing to see how my family and my friends support me and are really happy every time I launch a new book!
Q: What is the most challenging aspects of the job?
A: When you’re editing a book you have to be very meticulous. You have to pay attention to each detail, from the text to the illustrations, while balancing your opinion of the book’s content with the author’s opinion. You always have to maintain some distance in order to have a critical eye about the project, and at the same time you have to have enough peace of mind to think about new projects and to welcome new editorial opportunities.
As an author I think the most challenging aspect is to continuing believing in my ability to always make up another story. It’s an act of faith, especially when I finish a story and have to start thinking about the next one.
As an author I sometimes struggle to find time and inner-space to conceive and write a story. It’s not only a question of having “spare” time to write - it’s also about withdrawing from my busy life. It’s not easy, but it’s an interesting challenge. When I can make it work, I have a really good time enjoying my own story and discovering how the plot can be developed.Q: Are you working on any particular promotions or projects at the moment?
A: A new book of mine has just come out and I think the best way to make it known is by going to schools to speak with children about my writing. The book is called "A Caixa de Saudades", which means "The Box of Memories".
Recently I started running creative writing workshops for children aged between eight and ten, which has been fascinating. Children have so much imagination!
Q: Have there been any particularly memorable moments in your career?
A: The day I launched my first book, my friends and family were really excited and I felt incredibly supported by them. People came from far away for the event, even a friend of mine who lives in London! I will never forget that day.
Q: What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
A: I do yoga twice a week, and at the moment I am learning to play the piano. I often go for walks on weekends. And, of course, I love to read and to write!