We recently connected with Laura Kemp and have shared our conversation below.

Laura, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’ve found meaningful projects in unexpected places. A while ago, I started a FB Group called Kemp Camp, and it’s been going strong for over 3 years now. I thought the bulk of the content would be about my books, and at times it is, but I’ve found the most rewarding aspect of my group is the community it has provided for people, apart from my novels. We do monthly birthdays, and the response is just overwhelming. It seems everyone is ready to spread a little love and acknowledge someone on their special day. We also bring other authors in to share their stories, and have funny questions to answer on Fridays. I also do an inspirational quote on Sunday and then I don’t post the rest of the day. It’s my day of peace and I need to step away and people seem to expect and welcome that as well. I’m just so thrilled that this little group has grown to over 3,000 people who just want to share the good things in life. It’s become much more than a place to talk about books, and I welcome anyone reading this article to join up.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Laura Kemp and I write novels set in my home state of Michigan. I’ve always wanted to write, and did so in middle/high school. I also went to WMU and studied creative writing. I would like people to seek out my books and hopefully appreciate them as a little gateway glimpse into the beautiful world of the Great Lake State. I also want my common themes of love, decency and integrity to shine through and offer hope in a world that sometimes seems lacking in it. I encourage anyone to read my Lantern Creek Series of books for a fun, quirky and at times suspenseful romp through some places they might recognize!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The first contract I signed was with an less-than-scrupulous publishing house. After many repeated attempts to straighten things out, it became clear they weren’t operating under the same standards that I was. I had to ask for my rights back, and they refused. As much as it hurt, I had to accept the fact that they would always have some form of control over my Lantern Creek Series. I did, however, re-format them, re-cover them and re-release them on my own. I lost all of my reviews in the process, since they would not release the rights, but I am slowly earning them back. I sometimes am jealous of other authors whose publishing houses simply agreed to let them go, but I know this experience has made me stronger.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of this life is connecting with other people. I love meeting readers at my own events and the events of other authors. I also do a ‘book talk’ for 7th graders every year in the school I work in. Those days always fill my heart with joy because students always come up and ask me to support them in their own writing efforts. I love feeling like I have a little part in the legacy they will create.   

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laurakemp.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lkempwrites/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2321288757959884