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Book Expo America Wrap-up

After attending our first Book Expo America in Chicago earlier this month, our brains have been spinning trying to process it all.

BEA, the country’s largest book fair, represents every aspect of publishing—and then some! The floor was filled with the biggest publishers around, as well as self-published authors making bold investments in their futures. Booths abounded, seemingly for miles, with everything from printers and distributors to publicists and consultants. You could find something from every genre (even the Scientologists had a booth), for readers young and old alike, in print, digital and audio formats.

As newbies on the scene, we felt at times that there was almost too much to take in. Here were the highlights for KiCam:

* We met our amazing publicity team from PR by the Book. It was our first face-to-face meeting with the crew from Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tenn., and we couldn’t be more pleased to be partnered with this dynamic and delightful group.

* We made great connections at Publishers Weekly, Foreword Reviews, IngramSpark and the Independent Book Publishers Association.

* We got an inside look at how the gatekeeping process works in the book world. It’s challenging, but it’s not going to stop us!

* We got to see Kenny Loggins (!) and Sebastian Junger (!!).

* We were floored by the number of coloring books on the market for adults. Whoever came up with that idea must be sipping umbrella drinks on a private island right now.

* We brought home more tote bags and books than we realized we could carry.

* We grabbed as many catalogs as possible. What better market research, right?

BEA gave us at KiCam a chance to see how far we’ve come in a short time, while also challenging us to keep getting better, learning more and aiming higher.

One step and one great story at a time, we will change the world. 

12 Weeks and Counting

Beautiful Scars PressKit

Editing our Beautiful Scars Press Kit

It’s been said that publishing a book is a bit like having a baby, which means we’ve entered our final trimester and are starting to wonder if we’ll ever be able to see our feet again.

Our first book, “Beautiful Scars,” will be released May 17only 12 short weeks from yesterday. This week, we’re uploading files for review copies, which will be sent to media outlets far and wide to generate reviews, articles and interviews. We’re working with a fantastic publicity firm, PR By the Book, that will help us gain the exposure we need to make “Beautiful Scars” a nationwide success and share Kilee and Lori’s story with the widest possible audience.

We’re also working with Shriners Hospitals for Children to schedule book signings at the burn-care units in Cincinnati; Boston; Galveston, Texas; and Sacramento, Calif. We’ll announce dates when they are final—it’s going to be a fantastic summer!

(There will be at least 2-3 more Cincinnati-area signings, as well.)

In addition to “Beautiful Scars,” the small but mighty KiCam team is working on launching the Kilee Gives Back Foundation, refreshing KiCam’s logo and branding, and acquiring books for fall 2016 and spring 2017 release. We’ve received some outstanding submissions, and we’re actively in pursuit of more stories of survival and recovery that will inform and inspire audiences around the country and throughout the world.

Oh, and did we mention that our first documentary film is in progress?

There’s a lot going on at KiCam! (And if you know Lori, you know she wouldn’t have it any other way.) We appreciate your support and encourage you to send us your great story ideas.

Stay tuned to our blog and social channels for official event and appearance announcements coming soon!