KiCam Teams with Bookmasters for Nationwide Distribution, Sales

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KiCam Projects has signed an agreement with Bookmasters, Inc., for nationwide sales and distribution of its trade books.

The partnership will provide greater exposure and reach for KiCam’s authors, helping to spread their messages to more retailers and consumers.

“This is an exciting step for us as we continue to grow and try to change the world, one great story at a time,” says Lori Highlander, president and founder of KiCam. “Our goal is to provide a larger platform for our authors to touch more lives with their powerful stories.”

KiCam focuses on publishing true stories of survival and recovery, whether from illness, addiction, tragedy, or other challenges. KiCam also offers its authors and collaborators the opportunity to designate a portion of the proceeds from their projects to be donated to a nonprofit organization.

Founded in 2015, KiCam published three books in 2016 and released the illustrated children’s book A Corner of Heaven on Jan. 17. Eight more books are slated for 2017 publication.

Bookmasters, based in Ashland, Ohio, is one of the largest providers of integrated publisher services in the United States. For more than 40 years, Bookmasters has offered services to publishers and authors such as book manufacturing, print sales and distribution, warehousing and fulfillment, eBook sales and distribution, and editorial and design services.

Bookmasters is owned by Follett Corporation and is a strategic partner with Baker & Taylor, premier worldwide distributor of books, digital content, and entertainment products. Bookmasters’ sales team works directly with large wholesalers, retailers, and online sellers and has deep reach into the Christian and specialty markets, as well.

“Greater exposure is key to the success of any book, and working with Bookmasters will enable our authors to reach more readers,” Highlander says. “The mark of KiCam’s success is how well we serve our authors, so we’re delighted to be making this leap forward.”

Teacher, Student Team to Support Grieving Families

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A Corner of HeavenWhat started as a simple first-grade assignment in small-town Ripley transformed into a loving bond and a powerful book designed to make a lasting impact all around the world.

When the children’s book A Corner of Heaven releases Tuesday, author Laura Dewire and illustrator Kailen Offutt will offer their gift to grieving families here on earth and pay tribute to those families’ angel babies.

“When Kailen was my student, she drew a family portrait that included her baby brother, Kulen, in the upper right-hand corner. She explained to me that he lives in Heaven,” says Dewire, a teacher at St. Michael School. “Kulen had been born sleeping, and his family still celebrated his life.”

Dewire became close with the Offutt family and soon developed the idea for a book that could help the older siblings of babies lost through miscarriage or infant death. Passionate and inspired, Dewire wrote the text in only 20 minutes and paired her words with the illustrations created by Kailen, now 9.

A Corner of Heaven will benefit Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a nonprofit organization that provides remembrance photography for bereaved families like the Offutts.

“The book has been such a source of healing and joy for both the Offutt family and for me,” says Dewire, a Miami University graduate. “It still astounds me that out of something so painful and tragic, something beautiful and lovely was created.”

Dewire and the Offutt family will celebrate the launch of A Corner of Heaven with a reception at 11 a.m. Sunday at the St. Michael Parish Hall. They also will hold signing events at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Union Township Library in Ripley and at 1 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Adams County Library in Peebles.

“My prayer for this book is that it can be for other families what it has been for the Offutt family,” Dewire says. “I hope it can be a shining light of peace for families. I hope it can serve as a reminder that God can make something beautiful out of something broken. I hope it heals. I hope it protects. I hope it serves.”

A Corner of Heaven can be purchased in hardback for $16.95.

A Corner of Heaven (Maysville Ledger Independent)

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The Fix: A Group Study Guide

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The FixSharon Leder’s novel, The Fix: A Father’s Secrets, A Daughter’s Search, is such a personal story, it took her some thirty years to complete the book.

Why go to such great lengths? Because Sharon knew in her heart that her story of growing up the daughter of a heroin addict would resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

In particular, Sharon sought to connect with young readers, children and teens who are experiencing the confusion, pain, sadness, and anger common in households battered by addiction.

As a companion piece to The Fix, Sharon created a brief study guide designed to stimulate reflection, discussion, and even role-playing in a communal setting. This could be a classroom, an addiction-recovery group, or a support group—any gathering of people who want to better understand the causes and effects of addiction in order to find peace and healing.

To access the two-page study guide, simply click here: The Fix Study Guide.

KiCam Welcomes New Author: Aimee Ross

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Aimee RossKiCam Projects is delighted to welcome our newest author, Aimee Ross, whose debut book will release in March 2018.

Aimee, of Perrysville, Ohio, has a remarkable story to tell of living through the “perfect” heart attack, later surviving a horrific car crash, then rebuilding her life and finding love and contentment along the way.

A  mother of three, Aimee is also an award-winning educator with a passion for reading, writing … and Ricky Martin.

“I am a huge fan of poking fun at myself,” Aimee says. “My sense of humor is one of my best assets. I love to laugh, I love my job; I’m a diva, a huge dork; and I really did marry Prince Charming. The best part? I have this crazy story to tell about myself that finally feels ‘crazy’ and not defining. Thank God.”

We’re thrilled to be partnering with Aimee to tell her story. If you’ve ever gone through a major life change or had to reconstruct your self-image—in Aimee’s case, both literally and figuratively—you’ll want to mark your calendar for March 14, 2018.

Welcome to the KiCam family, Aimee!

Rave Reviews for ‘Beautiful Scars’

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Beautiful ScarsWe’ve been delighted by the outstanding reviews we’ve received for “Beautiful Scars,” by Kilee Brookbank and Lori Highlander.

Here’s a recap:

Foreword Clarion Reviews: “This book will touch the hearts of mothers and daughters across different life experiences, and it will provide hope and encouragement to people who have lived through traumatic injury and recovery or helped children through such a harrowing process. Both Kilee and her mother offer their honest insights, not denying the pain and despair they felt, even as they cling unwaveringly to hope.”

Ryley Reads: “This is such an emotional, inspiring story, it is hard for me to put into words how I feel about this book. … In terms of writing, I think everything flowed well, I liked the alternative perspectives, and I really loved the parts where Cameron added his thoughts.”

Live to Read: “I really liked that the story was told from the perspective of Kilee and her mom, Lori. Lori’s perspective made me think about the emotions and difficulties moms go through when something happens to their children. … I found the book interesting and a worthwhile read as a whole. I learned much more about the aftermath of a burn than my sister or I do in medical school. This book is worth a second look!”

We’re thrilled and grateful for all of the positive feedback!

If you’ve enjoyed “Beautiful Scars,” please consider leaving a review on Amazon.com. Positive reviews lead to better promotion on Amazon, which is a huge boost for independent publishing houses like KiCam Projects. 

(Extra)Ordinary Review: J Bronder Book Reviews

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