Writing Services

Focus

Fiction, particularly historical fiction, fantasy/horror/sci fi, literary, women’s fiction, and contemporary, in both the adult and YA spaces. She is open to others but would need to determine if the work is compatible with her knowledge and skill set. Please note that a sensitivity read is not a developmental edit. It is limited to a read for offensive content, misrepresentation, stereotypes, bias, lack of understanding, etc., if you are writing about Russia and/or Slavic culture and are yourself non-Slavic.

Experience

Olesya was born in Moscow, Russia to a Russian and Ukrainian family. She has personal experience with the language, culture, and history of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Her book The Witch And The Tsar, a historical retelling of the maligned witch Baba Yaga, is inspired by Slavic folklore, mythology, and history, and was published September 20, 2022 from Berkley/Penguin Random House. She also has significant experience in performing sensitivity reads. Please refer to the testimonials below for her recent work with published and soon-to-be published authors.

Rate

$0.015 per word

Testimonials

Olesya’s feedback on my novel was exactly what I’d hoped for: specific, actionable, well informed, and generous. She’s fast, communicative, and deeply in tune with the mood and needs of my book. Her review was like turning up the sharpness on a photograph, bringing all the details into clearer focus. I’m so grateful for her expertise!
—Allison Epstein, Author of Let the Dead Bury the Dead (Doubleday Books ’23)

Olesya went above and beyond in her cultural read of The Soviet Sisters. Besides checking the usual issues of the Russian language, customs or locations, she gave me nuanced insight into how a native Russian might think or feel about aspects of the story that I was less sensitive to. Without her help, my book would have been less authentic, less of what I hoped it would be. If you’re looking for deep, thoughtful insight from a Russian perspective, I can highly recommend her!
—Anika Scott, author of The Soviet Sisters (William Morrow, July ’22)

When depicting a culture that is not one’s own, a sensitivity read is imperative to ensure you are treating the culture with the proper respect. Olesya Salnikova Gilmore provided this necessary sensitivity review for my historical novel, Daughters of Victory, which takes place during the Russian Revolution and WWII Soviet Union. Authenticity is not an experience that can be uncovered in a research book, and I am endlessly grateful to Olesya for being that source of authentic knowledge, providing such prompt, thorough, educational feedback, and for her willingness to give my story the expert eye it needed, one I was unable to give through my own experiences. Her insight was invaluable to the story and to helping me understand the nuances of people, place, and setting that breathe life into the unique beauty of the Russian culture. My eternal thanks!
—Gabriella Saab, author of Daughters of Victory (William Morrow ’23)

Olesya is a fantastic resource for Russian and Slavic culture. As an Italian-American writing about Russian characters and a Catholic writing about Orthodox believers, I needed Olesya’s help to make sure my story rang true and that the cultural details I included were accurate and respectful. When she needed to set me straight, she did so with kindness and diplomacy, while still helping me make my manuscript the best it could be. Olesya is a true treasure!
—Rose de Guzman, Author of The Lion and the Eagle