I am a freelance writer and editor.

Based in London but working with book publishers, newspapers, magazines and authors worldwide, I can perform a variety of roles depending on the project, working as author, ghostwriter, editor, commissioning editor, managing editor, or consultant.

I specialise in non-fiction books, especially music, photography and biography. Although my expertise is not limited to illustrated books, I have the editorial experience to handle major illustrated projects right through to delivery.

Current editorial projects include volumes on photography and popular science, as well as music.

Previously I spent eight years in-house at Genesis Publications, where I worked as Editor, Managing Editor, and finally Senior Editor.

The artist I have been most closely associated with is the great Indian sitar player, Ravi Shankar. I was the ghostwriter on his autobiography, Raga Mala, and together we are currently putting together a new volume of photography covering his life, as well as a new edition of Raga Mala.

Other major music projects on which I have worked as editor include the Number One bestseller The Beatles Anthology (British Book Awards Illustrated Book of the Year 2001), the autobiography of Sir George Martin, and Moonage Daydream by David Bowie and Mick Rock. Further details can be found on the Beatles and Editor pages.

My first book as author is Rock Faces, a survey of twelve of the world's leading music photographers. It will be published by Rotovision in September 2004.

Details of some of my other writings, on music, photography and current affairs, can be found on the Writer page.

I hold university degrees from Oxford (BA in Politics Philosophy & Economics at Hertford College) and Leeds (MA in Modern International Studies).

I am fully conversant with Quark, Photoshop, Acrobat, InDesign, Filemaker Pro, Office and Dreamweaver. I design and maintain this website myself.

As well as working on photography books, I am a practising photographer myself, and have had some images published, including a portrait of Ravi Shankar which made the cover of the Swedish magazine Musik. Some other examples are featured in the Photographs section.

Other interests include cinema, music (all sorts), sports (cricket, football, swimming, walking), and travel (especially in India).

contact Oliver Craske

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