25 Things to Know about Keith Maginn
We recently chatted with Keith Maginn, author of (Extra)Ordinary: Inspirational Stories of Everyday People, and played a slightly long-form version of Twenty Questions. Here are twenty-five facts about this up-and-coming writer.
- I am the youngest of four kids.
- I love college football and am a lifelong Notre Dame fan.
- I was an Evans Scholar at Miami University. It’s a scholarship for golf caddies. Seriously.
- I have been writing for as long as I can remember.
- My favorite TV shows are Arrested Development, The Office, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits, and ESPN College GameDay.
- I am a big fan of Cincinnati Reds baseball.
- I enjoy a wide range of music (Pearl Jam, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Band of Horses, Johnny Cash, Dave Matthews Band, Hank Williams, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Marley, Kings of Leon, Waylon Jennings, The Black Keys, Jack Johnson, The Script, Mumford & Sons, Tim McGraw…). The two best written songs ever: “Imagine” by John Lennon and “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
- I was a firefighter for two years but decided to leave the department due to chronic health problems.
- After college, I served with AmeriCorps for two years (like a domestic Peace Corps). I was stationed with Habitat for Humanity in Knoxville, Tennessee. When my term was up, I stayed on with Habitat for about seven more years.
- I wish that I liked seafood, but I can’t stand it. Not even fish.
- I love to read and usually gravitate to nonfiction. My favorite books are Tao Te Ching, On the Road, Into the Wild, The Alchemist, and The Motorcycle Diaries. My favorite authors are Jack Kerouac, John Steinbeck, and Paulo Coelho.
- I played basketball, baseball, and soccer when I was growing up. Looking back, I wish I would have focused on soccer, martial arts, and yoga.
- I have had only three cups of coffee in my life. I do not even like how it smells, let alone tastes.
- My favorite season used to be summer, but nowadays I can’t decide between spring, summer, or fall. Though I love the holiday season, winter is not in the running. Whatsoever.
- I like doing yoga and Pilates.
- I prefer to be in a T-shirt, flip-flops, and cargo shorts in the summer; jeans and a hoodie in the winter.
- I am narcoleptic and could fall asleep pretty much anytime if given the chance. My brain skips restful sleep, so I don’t know how I would survive without 20-minute power naps.
- I try to meditate every day.
- My favorite movies are The Godfather Part II, The Shawshank Redemption, Good Will Hunting, Scent of a Woman, and Tombstone.
- My favorite color was blue until somewhat recently. Now I prefer green.
- I lived in Tennessee for ten years and liked it quite a bit. I couldn’t talk my family and closest friends into moving there, so I moved back home to Cincinnati.
- Driving around the country in an RV or Airstream trailer for a few months tops my bucket list.
- My biggest pet peeves are arrogance and inconsiderateness.
- The Dalai Lama is the person I would most like to meet.
- My proudest accomplishment: writing three books, including a very personal memoir, and putting them out there for the world to read.
Order your copy of (Extra)Ordinary: Inspirational Stories of Everyday People today!
The Beauty of Diversity
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One of the core beliefs behind our mission at KiCam Projects is that everyone has a great story to tell. (Our forthcoming book, (Extra)Ordinary: Inspirational Stories of Everyday People, is a testament to that!)
And when we say “everyone,” we truly mean “everyone.” As we round out plans for our first 18 months of publishing, we have authors and collaborators who are men and women; who range from grade-school age to the retirement years; who are white, black, and Latina; who are married and single; who live all across the United States, as well as in Canada; and who represent a variety of faith traditions and spiritual beliefs.
We write about this not to pat ourselves on the back, but because the diversity of our authors simply underscores that every single human being has something important to say. Each story is different, entirely unique, and worth sharing. A great story can be found in rural Ohio or in a large East Coast city. The trick is to look for it.
The news of late, both in the United States and around the world, has been terribly discouraging. That’s why we feel it’s more important than ever to celebrate stories of survival and recovery, to highlight strength, courage, and the will to overcome the seemingly insurmountable.
We believe that when you look for the positive in the world, you usually find it. And the best part is, you can find it in everyone, regardless of what he or she looks like or where he or she lives.
The beauty of diversity is that each of us is part of it. We’re each a thread in the timeless fabric of humanity; no one is exactly like any other individual.
Our differences, thankfully, are the very things that can unite us, and KiCam Projects is honored to play even a small part in bringing people together and honoring diversity.
Praise for ‘Beautiful Scars’
Our first book, “Beautiful Scars,” has received not only national media attention but accolades from renowned authors and advocates. Here’s what they’re saying about the book and the story of co-author Kilee Brookbank:
“It took me many years – decades even – to embrace my fire, my scars, my story, my gifts – the way that Kilee has naturally done in just a few short years. ‘Beautiful Scars’ is a reminder that we don’t always get to choose the path we walk in life, but we can always choose the manner in which we walk it. Kilee, a heartfelt thank you for the reminder.”
– John O’Leary, national bestselling author of “ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life” and inspirational speaker
“Kilee’s spirit shines through her every word. ‘Beautiful Scars’ is a down-to-earth primer on how to let our hearts define us, not our scars.”
– J.R. Martinez, actor, U.S. Army veteran, bestselling author and burn survivor
“Kilee’s ‘Beautiful Scars’ shares her story of hope. In one single moment, a tragic accident almost took her life and put her through months of physical and emotional challenges. Despite these obstacles, Kilee’s beautiful and joyful spirit demonstrate to all that there is life and hope after serious tragedy. This book is an encouraging story for burn survivors and anyone surviving trauma.”
– Julie Peetz, executive director, Burns Recovered
Welcome New Authors: Danielle and Christopher Jones
KiCam Projects is delighted to introduce new authors Danielle and Christopher Jones!
Less than a year ago, Danielle and Christopher lost their son, Christopher Junior, when he was only 10 days old. Junior was born with multiple congenital abnormalities due to a genetic defect that had gone undetected prior to Danielle’s pregnancy.
Though their son is not with them on earth, Danielle and Christopher honor him each day through the Angel Baby Network, which they founded to bring together other bereaved parents grieving the death of a child through miscarriage or infant loss. As Danielle says, when she started ABN, she simply wanted someone she could talk to and cry with.
The loss of Junior marked the lowest point of an exceptionally difficult two years for the Joneses that included the sudden death of a beloved relative, a car accident, struggles with employment and Christopher being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Through it all, the couple has grown stronger together, relying on their faith as they take each day as it comes, one step at a time.
Danielle and Christopher still dream of growing their family. Danielle wants to be the “zoo mom” who packs the snacks and goes on every field trip with her kids. Her journey so far has not been what she imagined, but with Christopher by her side, they’re turning their pain into purpose.
A portion of the proceeds of the Joneses’ book will benefit Angel Baby Network, which meets every other month to engage its members in a social activity that encourages fellowship and sharing. Members come from as far as Indianapolis to the Cincinnati area, and we’re certain that readers around the world will be moved and inspired by Danielle, Christopher and the legacy of Christopher Junior.
Look for the Joneses’ book in April 2017!
5 Reasons Why Indies Rock
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We know authors have a lot of choices when it comes to sharing their work—everything from hiring an agent and pursuing a large house, to hybrid publishing or self-publishing. Figuring out the best course can be confusing, and information can be difficult to come by.
Reaching out to a relatively small, independent publisher has its own list of advantages. And although what is right for one author might not meet the goals and needs of another, we think there’s a lot to like about working with an indie. Take a look:
1. Marketing and Publicity Support
One way a quality indie or hybrid publisher will distinguish itself is in its ability to market and promote a book. As one self-published author told us, “I thought writing the book would be the hard part. I was wrong.” Indeed, we’ve used the analogy before: Writing a book is like having a baby. Once the baby is born, the real work begins! With books, the biggest obstacles are found in attracting media attention and converting that coverage into sales. Though it’s certainly not impossible for a self-published author to do that, the road is easier when an author walks it with a publisher.
2. Smaller = Nimbler
Independent houses can respond to changes rapidly and follow trends easily. We’re not bound by layers of procedures and policies that dictate what we do and how we do it. KiCam, specifically, is a business founded on family that wants to tell personal stories. So we treat people as—wait for it!—people. Each project is unique, and so is its creator. We respect, treasure and honor that in the way we work with each author and each book.
3. We’re Open to Your Ideas
We know we don’t know everything. And although we bring decades of experience to the table, we choose to work with authors we know can teach us some things, whether it’s about publishing, publicity, marketing or life in general. We’re constantly learning, and we think that’s not only a good thing, but one of the best things about doing what we do.
4. We’re Non-traditional, by Design
Recently an author wrote to us with a submission she said she was sure many publishers wouldn’t consider. It was her memoir, as told in rhymed verse. The work was moving and meaningful, and it was exactly the kind of story we want to bring to life and help readers discover. Books might be black and white, but what connects with people’s hearts is almost never that simple or obvious.
5. We Take Risks
Frankly, once you’ve started a publishing company from scratch, all the risks that come after that pale by comparison! As one of our mentors once said, “If it doesn’t scare the heck out of you, it’s not worth doing.” So here we are.
If you’re an author looking for a home for your work, please visit our submissions page. We love to hear from writers who believe in our mission—to change the world, one great story at a time—and who have inspiring stories of survival and recovery to share.
KiCam Welcomes New Author: Sharon Leder
KiCam Projects is delighted to add Sharon Leder to our stable of 2017 authors.
Sharon, who lives in Brewster, Mass., brought to us a story so special that it caused us to rethink a few things. Sharon’s book is a personal story of a young woman, growing up in Brooklyn in the late 1950s and early ’60s, who discovers that her father is battling a heroin addiction. It’s her family’s secret, a topic that evokes shame, denial and blame.
Sharon uses fictional techniques to tell the true story of her life through the character of Sara, who is confused and angered by the painful secrets piling up around her. Though KiCam usually acquires strictly non-fiction, Sharon’s story captured our attention right away. We knew this was a perfect book for us.
Says Sharon: “Some experiences are too painful to write in first person, so my story is about my persona, Sara Katz, who struggles to love her father, a butcher from an immigrant family, a man she also fears and loathes, an abuser who can also show his loving side. Sara, who’s been her mother’s confidant since age eight, constantly challenges her mother’s second-generation tendencies to keep her father’s addiction secret, and her grandmother’s old-world impulse to deny her son’s ‘sins,’ even after his death.”
Sharon is retired from her career as a professor of literature, Women’s Studies and Jewish Studies, and an earlier version of her book was a finalist for the Merrimack Outstanding Writer Award (2015).
Sharon’s book, releasing in May 2017, is a true story about the shattering effects of addiction, a young woman catapulted into feminism and, as Sharon says, “coping with grief, and finding the courage to speak the truths that lead to healing.”
Welcome to the KiCam family, Sharon!
Be the Badger
Photo credit: Tatterdemalion! via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
A recent lunch with a friend and publishing colleague has surfaced a new mantra: “Be the badger.”
My friend, Ericka, has spent more than 20 years in publishing, working on projects of all shapes and sizes, including editing books for KiCam. She has an amazing way of putting things into perspective and bringing out the best in other people, both in their writing and in their daily lives.
I was telling Ericka about some of the challenges KiCam faces as a new, independent publisher, about some of the frustrating aspects of distribution and the difficulty in getting the heavy hitters to take you seriously (and take your calls).
Ericka quickly flipped the situation on its head, extolling KiCam’s mission, the uniqueness of our purpose and passion, and the flexibility of our mixed traditional/print-on-demand distribution method. She reminded me of all the reasons a writer would want to work with us (blog post on that coming soon!) and helped me see that being new and independent is actually a great thing during this era of publishing.
Everything is changing, so why shouldn’t we help drive that change?
I felt re-energized and ready to take on the world! That’s when Ericka brought up the badger, the scrappy little animal that just doesn’t care. It works, it perseveres, it never gives up. It’s perfectly delighted to be a badger; it’s not trying to be, say, a rhinoceros. It does its thing, and it does it well. “Be small, but think and act big,” Ericka says.
And so I must issue my pre-emptive apology to every media member, book blurber, interviewer, reviewer and potential partner out there in the world: I’m going to call you. And email you. And probably call you and email you again. Because it’s my job to be the badger for the good of KiCam Projects and our family of authors and filmmakers.
To those of you reading this post, I encourage you to be badgers, as well. If you’re an author, keep going after us publishers until the right one hears your voice! If you’re a fellow publisher, keep fighting the good fight. If you’re a reader and book lover, keep carrying the flag for the little guys, even as you enjoy the great work coming out of the major houses.
Be the badger you were meant to be! And never stop thinking, and acting, big.
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.