Ken Kappelmann - from scientist to fantasy novelist

Ken Kappelmann has found an interesting balance. From scientist to fantasy novelist, from microbiology to fire-breathing dragons, from working in a lab to populating the imaginary land of Troyf, it’s all in a day’s work. Throw in a job in sales and manufacturing, a wife and three kids, and it makes for an interesting life.

Ken Kappelmann

Ken has a degree in cellular biology from the University of Kansas, and a graduate degree in microbiology from Oregon State University. He continued down that scientific path to Switzerland. “I took a job in a university in Switzerland because I thought it would be cool,” Ken said. But as it turns out, doing research during the day at the University of Lausanne didn’t open a lot of doors socially. “I had no friends, nothing to do, and I couldn’t speak the language,” Ken said, referring to the French-speaking region in which he lived.

So he found a unique way to deal with those quiet evenings and weekends. He started writing. This was in 1992, before word processors were part of everyone’s household. When Ken started writing, he quite literally put pen to paper, filling notebook after notebook. During the year he was in Switzerland, he wrote three books, a trilogy that would become the Hidden Magic Chronicles.

The notebooks remained with Ken through the next years, included with his possessions each time he moved. He eventually typed them onto 5 ½” floppy disks, then the smaller 3” hard disks, and created a printed copy that he kept in binders in his closet. Then one day in 2010, his wife, Denise, found the binders and began reading.

“She didn’t like that type of book,” Ken said, “but she read it anyway, and then she told me I should try to get it published.” So Ken started sending it to publishers. He tried to get an agent, but couldn’t find an agent who would take him unless he was published. A catch-22. He contacted about 30 publishers, and the rejection slips started piling up. He decided to try another 20 publishers. Then an amazing thing happened. Before he heard back from any of the second group, and a mere three and a half months from when he sent out his first submission, he was offered a contract from a publisher in the first batch.

Tate Publishing wanted all three books. “It was a non-negotiable contract because I was a first-time writer,” Ken said. He didn’t receive an advance, but neither did he have to do any rewrites. Tate is a Christian publisher, and does not accept graphic material or language. Ken’s novels do contain fighting and death, but nothing graphic, so they met the criteria.

Ken’s first book, “The Return of the Dragons,” was released in July. It won 2013 Fantasy Book of the Year at the Halloween Book Festival held in Hollywood, California. The second book, "The Dragon Unknown," is scheduled to be released next summer. The third novel should be out by the end of 2014.

Wannabe writers generally receive the same advice: write what you know. Ken, who enjoyed reading fantasy novels as a kid, followed that advice. Not only did he write in his favorite genre, but he created characters from people he knew or had known. “At least 25 characters from my high school or family are in it,” Ken said. For example, his high school sweetheart's new boyfriend is the main dragon, the bad dragon, which by the way they know and are okay with, Ken added.

Ken graduated from Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, and he said that about half of his graduating class of approximately 300 bought his book. He has done a series of book signings and appeared at sci-fi conventions and book fairs. The novel’s first printing of 600 copies sold out in two months, and Ken estimates that about 1000 to 1200 copies have been sold to date.

Because of the book, Ken has reconnected with many of his high school classmates, and met a variety of people who like fantasy books. At the recent Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, where he had a book-signing tent set up every weekend, he met another interesting group of people. “There were a group of dragon worshipers,” Ken said. “They had dragon tattoos. They wanted to know if my dragons were good dragons or bad dragons.”

Ken’s novels were created as a trilogy, but Tate Publishing has asked him to continue the series with a fourth book. He has written a few chapters and an outline, but doesn’t plan on hitting it hard until the second book comes out. He is busy enough in his day job overseeing the manufacturing for Original Juan Specialty Foods, and promoting his first book.

There is no overt Christianity in Ken’s fantasy novels, though theological themes are a large part.  You can find sin, grace, compassion, forgiveness and faith to name a few. The novel details the adventures of a group of companions facing challenges, making choices, and trying to overcome the tyranny of the Dragon Oppression. The book is geared for readers ages 18-35, but Ken said that readers as young as age 10 would get something out of it too.

You can find a copy of Ken’s book at Barnes and Noble, and it can be ordered online. Visit Ken’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HiddenMagicReturnoftheDragon for more information. If you would like a signed copy of the book, send an email to KappelmannBooks@yahoo.com. 

Fran Martinsen - a love for hospice care

A death gave birth to a dream. With the dream came determination. The determination was grounded in faith. And the result sits on a tract of land at 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri.

Arnie & Fran Martinsen

This story begins a little more than 11 years ago, when a man named Peter lay near death in a care facility in London. His wife and child were nearby, and had been throughout his six-year-long battle with cancer. Then, for the last week and a half of his life, his parents, Arnie and Fran Martinsen, and his sister flew to London to be with him. And this is when Fran Martinsen’s personal experience with Hospice began.

“We were greeted by angels,” Fran said. “It was total care. They found us a bed and breakfast nearby. They gave us names of near-by restaurants.”

Arnie and Fran remained with Peter and his family in London until Peter passed away. But from death comes resurrection, and so on the plane ride home, an idea was born. “We said we’ve got a new mission in life,” Fran said, “and that was to build a new hospice house.”

At that time, hospice care was available, though not in a facility dedicated to end of life care for patients and supportive care for their families. Kansas City Hospice was founded in 1980, and hospice workers met with patients primarily in their homes or hospitals. From 1995-2003, KC Hospice was a member of the nonprofit, multi-hospital system called Health Midwest. When the hospital system was sold in 2003, the hospice house once again became an independent, community-based organization. Enter Fran and Arnie Martinsen.

 “I met with the president of KC Hospice, Elaine McIntosh,” Fran said. “It was one of those ‘Let’s go to lunch’ meetings, where I knew what I wanted, but she didn’t know.”

As they talked, and Fran shared her idea of building a hospice house, Fran said she saw Elaine’s eyes light up, because her idea coincided with what Elaine had been wanting. Their lunch meeting turned into a 3 ½ hour-long discussion, and they both came away with a determination that their goal would be accomplished.

Under the guidance of a team of community leaders, a flurry of fundraising campaigns, networking, working out legal ramifications and finding a site ensued. “It was God-driven,” Fran said. And indeed it was, because the non-profit Kansas City Hospice House and Palliative Care opened its doors in April, 2006. It started as a 16-bed facility, and has doubled in capacity.

Here are some of the facts: It serves more than 2,000 families a year; is the largest and most comprehensive hospice in the region; has more than 250 employees and more than 400 volunteers, provides services to all in need regardless of patients' financial circumstances, and serves three counties in Kansas and six in Missouri. It contains a chapel, kitchen and laundry facilities, porches, patios and plenty of space for family.

But the facts don’t really tell the story. The real story is the people who have been served with kindness, compassion and love. Such as the man in his early 40s who said that one of the things he would like to do before he died was to pet a pony, because it brought back such warm memories. KC Hospice House made that happen by contacting a local stables owner, who brought out a horse within hours. Fran said that the man passed away the next day, with his special request fulfilled.

Then there was the high school student who was going to miss his prom. So KC Hospice brought the prom to him by decorating the courtyard, offering a special dinner and providing music. The rest was handled by his girlfriend and friends, who joined him for this special night.

Another special story involved an infant who came to Hospice House from the hospital after birth. “A staff member always carried that baby around,” Fran said. “She went to a lot of meetings, because someone always had her in their loving arms.”

Fran said that in addition to hospice, she has seen palliative care begin to mature. “It’s a growing piece of health care,” Fran said. “Sometimes people wait too long to access palliative care. It is difficult to realize what a helpful service it is.”

Pain management is a major function, but there’s also emotional and spiritual support, help with understanding options, and assistance with transitions. Fran has been a nurse and health educator all her adult life, so she has a deep understanding of the difference good care can make for people who are seriously ill.  She hopes that more and more people will take advantage of such a compassionate option.

Fran, who continues to serve on the board of Kansas City Hospice House, never forgets that this dream came about because of her son. In fact, she etched his name in the concrete under the carpet of the chapel floor. But what brings him to mind the most is every time she places her hands on the big brass door handles to enter the hospice house. She said, “I think, Pete, I wish you were here, but if it hadn’t been for you getting sick, this might not be here.” And so his spirit lives on in the care of thousands of families each year.

If you would like to support Kansas City Hospice House and Palliative Care as a volunteer or financially, don’t hesitate to visit kansascityhospice.org to get connected.