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By Kenny Kemp
Kenny Kemp Signs Three Book Deal with HarperCollins
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Kenny Kemp, author of Dad Was A Carpenter, has
been signed to a significant three-book deal with HarperSanFrancisco,
the inspirational imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, the world's
largest English language publisher.
"We are very excited about this project," says Gideon Weil, Kemp's
editor at HSF. "Kenny pitched it to us last spring and everyone here
agreed it was a truly inspired idea. I wish I could tell you more
about it, but the idea is so incredible that we've all agreed to try
to keep it under wraps for now."
However, Joe Durepos, Kemp's agent, did reveal that the book series
will be a historical fiction set in Palestine. "It's an incredible
concept and Kenny is the perfect guy to write it." Durepos also
disclosed that the deal was in the mid-six figure range.
Kemp says the concept came out of his pondering of the Bible. "I'm
interested in reducing the distance between God and man. I struggle
to feel more connected to God, and my writing reflects that desire.
And as a kind of "faithful skeptic," I've found my experience is also
that of a great number of people for whom traditional religion is
very confining."
Kemp's previous book, the memoir Dad Was A Carpenter, won the Grand
Prize in the 1999 Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards and was
soon snatched up by HarperCollins and re-released this last May to
great acclaim. Kemp was invited to Book Expo in Chicago this last
June, and was one of several writers feted at a party given by Jane
Friedman, HarperCollins president. He also participated in a very
successful book signing at the convention.
"This deal is a reflection of how we feel about Kenny," said Gideon
Weil, Kemp's editor. "We've been wanting to make him a house author
because he is that most rare combination: a great storyteller who
touches the heart lightly but powerfully. And we are hopeful that
this new project, the first volume of which is tentatively titled The
Welcoming Door, will establish Kenny as a major American
inspirational writer. Dad Was A Carpenter has been successful for us
and we are confident he will not disappoint with his next book."
Kemp is also a contributor to Writer's Digest magazine, which will
feature an article by him about his self-publishing experiences in
this summer's annual self-publishing issue.
By Alan Smithee, Jr.
Source:
Building on Success: Kenny Kemp Signs Three Book Deal with HarperCollins
Alta Films &Press News Release 9Jul01 US CA SanF A2
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