Our sister company, Eckhartz Press was founded in Chicago in 2011 by Rick Kaempfer and his long time collaborator and friend David Stern. The name “Eckhartz” is a tribute to the men that gave them their creative genes; Kaempfer’s father Eckhard, and Stern’s father Fritz. Eckhartz Press is a boutique Chicago publishing company dedicated to serving the brave new 21st century publishing world; the laughing “E” logo a constant reminder that life is too short – don’t ever lose your sense of humor.
After four years, twenty books published (including books written by Chicago celebrities John Records Landecker, Joel Daly and Rich King) and thousands of books sold, Rick and Dave decided that there was a dire need for a good reasonably priced resource for authors who needed guidance with the many facets of the publishing and self publishing.
That’s why Eckhartz Press now also offers our author services on an ala carte basis for non Eckhartz Press authors. Whether you’re someone who has a great story to tell, but doesn’t quite know how to shape it into a book, or someone who has a completed manuscript that needs editing, or cover or interior design help, or someone who needs help with marketing through e-campaigns, booking media interviews, coaching media appearances, press releases, social media, web design, or producing audio or video promotional material, Eckhartz Press can help. The publishing world is changing on a daily basis, and it’s easier and more cost effective than ever to self-publish a book. On the other hand, there are so many things that go into creating and selling a quality self-published book, and very few potential authors have the expertise to do all of them. Welcome to Chicago Author Solutions.
Please explore our site and contact us with any questions.
Rick Kaempfer is the co-founder and publisher of Eckhartz Press in addition to being the co-author of three Eckhartz Press releases, “Father Knows Nothing”, “Records Truly Is My Middle Name” (with John Records Landecker) and “The Living Wills” (with Brendan Sullivan). Rick has been published several times before (including a novel “$everance” and a how-to-book about radio called “The Radio Producer’s Handbook”), but he was also a member of the media for more than twenty years as the producer of two highly acclaimed radio shows (Steve Dahl & Garry Meier and John Records Landecker), and still covers the industry as the media critic for the Illinois Entertainer. He has watched the media landscape change over the past thirty years from a front row seat, and is excited to use that experience as the publisher of Eckhartz Press.
Rick’s extensive list of media contacts is an invaluable resource for our author/clients; he’s been on both sides of the media world, and understands it in ways that public relations professionals often don’t. His varied writing and editing experience also allows him to help authors in virtually every genre.
David Stern is the co-founder and publisher of Eckhartz Press, and the author of the “The Balding Handbook”. After a 20+ year sales and marketing career, and a ten year stint as a principal in a Chicago advertising agency, Stern comes to Eckhartz Press uniquely qualified to tackle the realities of an ever-changing publishing landscape. He and Kaempfer have been collaborating in one form or another since they met at the University of Illinois in the early 1980s (when both must have been mere children). Stern is also one of the officers of Eckhartz Press’ parent company Just One Bad Century, Inc, and proud to call himself a life long (“City Boy”) Chicagoan.
Dave’s 20+ years in the sales/marketing world have given him a wealth of experience in all different forms of marketing; something our author/clients have taken full advantage of these past four years. He also worked in the production side of the business for many years and his contacts in the printing/paper business allow our author/clients to work with the most cost effective and local options. But perhaps most importantly, Dave is known for his out of the box thinking (as evidenced by his creation The Pothole Store). He can unlock avenues that more conventional thinkers don’t even see.
