Coming Attractions: ‘Beautiful Scars’

KileeVideoIf you’re like us, the trailers are your favorite part of going to a movie.

So we’ve produced a book trailer for “Beautiful Scars,” which releases May 17. (Books are en route from the printer as we speak!)

Thanks to our filmmaker, Lanny Brannock, this video allows co-author Kilee Brookbank to tell why she’s so passionate about sharing her journey with the world, from writing a book to starting the Kilee Gives Back Foundation.

Please take just two minutes to learn more about Kilee and her mission to turn her life’s greatest challenge into a positive and meaningful experience that helps other people.

WATCH THE VIDEO

 

 

 

* Some footage used courtesy of WCPO-TV.

 

Cameron Brookbank headshot

Cameron’s Story: ‘Always Have Hope’

Cameron BrookbankIn “Beautiful Scars,” Kilee Brookbank and Lori Highlander tell the story of their recovery journey after Kilee was severely burned when the Highlander home was destroyed by fire in 2014. The journey wasn’t only Kilee and Lori’s—the whole family, especially Kilee’s brother, Cameron—had to adjust to changes, new stresses and the range of emotions that come with surviving and moving on from a tragedy.

Here’s an excerpt of Cameron’s chapter of “Beautiful Scars,” in his own words:

Kilee’s story is positive and shows that a lot of bad can happen, but if you do what it takes to overcome it, it’ll be OK in the end. My story is to always be there for someone no matter what, because you don’t know what could happen.

Time means everything, and everything happens in a split second.

I want to make sure Kilee is OK all of the time, wherever she is. I just want her to know that if something ever happens, I’ll be there. I wasn’t there for her that day, but I will be every day from now on.

The most important thing to me is that she is alive and everything is getting back to normal—just our everyday life and not stressing about the house or Sis healing; everything is fine. Back to the way it was . . . normal.

I thought she’d be worried about her scars, but somehow she’s not. That amazes me. I’d probably be the biggest baby in the world. I don’t know how, but she has been really, really strong during everything. Her mindset was that if she didn’t do what she needed to, it would take longer to become fully recovered.

I’ve learned to be more caring now. I mess around a lot, but when someone I love leaves, I tell them I love them, because that morning I didn’t tell Kilee that.

She has taught me to never give up and always have hope.

Book signing: May 18 at Shriners – Cincinnati

We’re delighted to invite you to our first book signing for “Beautiful Scars,” from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Cincinnati.

Come meet our authors, Kilee Brookbank and Lori Highlander, and get your copy of our premium-edition hardback for the special-event price of $20.

We’re so grateful to Shriners – Cincinnati, first and foremost for the incredible care they provided for Kilee and now for their support of “Beautiful Scars” and KiCam Projects. That’s why a portion of the book’s proceeds will benefit Shriners – Cincinnati. You can be sure that your purchase will be helping a tremendous organization!

In addition to the signing in Cincinnati, we’re working with Shriners to schedule events at the three other burn centers around the country: Boston; Galveston, Texas; and Sacramento, Calif.

Stay tuned to our blog and social channels for information about future signings and other events.

We appreciate your support, and we look forward to seeing you at Shriners – Cincinnati on May 18!

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!

Beautiful Scars

Introducing ‘Beautiful Scars’

Beautiful Scars coverWe’re thrilled to show off the cover of our first book, “Beautiful Scars,” which will be released this May.

The cover features an image of the hands of Kilee Brookbank, one of our co-authors, who survived being severely burned in a house explosion in November 2014.

Manuscript editing is in process, and we’re only two months from going to the printer. It’s an exciting time at KiCam Projects!

We’re glad to have you along for this journey. Stay tuned for the chance to pre-order “Beautiful Scars” and for updates on giveaways and book signings.

An Extraordinary, Normal Life

I’m Kilee Brookbank, and my book, “Beautiful Scars,” will be the first book published by KiCam Projects. It comes out in May, right around the time I’ll graduate from high school.

A year ago, I was just returning to school after spending 38 days in Shriners Hospital for Children-Cincinnati recovering from second- and third-degree burns over nearly 50 percent of my body. My house had exploded with me inside.

I struggled to tie my shoes, open doors and put my makeup on. My mom, Loriwho wrote the book with me—and my family had to help me with literally everything I did. I wasn’t sure I’d ever have a normal life again, or what “normal” even meant anymore. I had to go to several hours of physical therapy every week and wear heavy compression garments under my clothes to help my scars heal.

It’s hard to believe that now I’m getting ready for another Homecomingand I’m going to wear the cutest dress I can find!and I’m applying to colleges and thinking about my future. Not just my future a few months from now or even a year from now, but my whole life: college, career, family, everything.

I’ve been accepted at Xavier University, and I’ve also applied to Miami University here in Ohio, as well as NYU and Columbia. I visited New York in December with my mom, and I really liked it! I haven’t made up my mind yet, but I’m so excited to have so many choices.

Throughout my recovery, I’ve tried to stay positive. It certainly wasn’t always easy, but now when I look back, I know that the explosion and the pain and the scars all happened in order to lead me to where I’m supposed to go in life, to find what I’m meant to do.

In addition to the bookwhich I’ll spend a lot of time this summer promotingI’m also working with my family on the Kilee Gives Back Foundation. Last year we hosted our first golf scramble, which was a huge success, and now we’re focusing on adding more events and projects to raise money for Shriners and for other organizations and people in need.

It’s been 14 months since the accident. In some ways, my life is the same as it always was: school, soccer, family, friends. But in other ways, I know I’ll never be the same. And I’m grateful for it.

When I leave for college, wherever I decide to go, I know I’ll be ready for whatever life throws at me. And I’ll know how to make every day and every experience count.