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.