Who We Are: Schmidt Kaye & Company Professional Literary Services

Is there a book in you? Or is it mostly out, but you're beginning to have second thoughts? Our Author Questionnaire can help you decide what to do next. (Warning: it's not for the timid.)

We've got you covered! Visit our new book cover design gallery.

Who are our clients?

Schmidt Kaye & Company is a unique collaboration of talent dedicated to the creation and promotion of that most venerable art form: the book.

Though we welcome the trend in electronic publishing and feel it holds many exciting possibilities - which we ourselves are eagerly exploring - we also firmly believe that the book as we know it will always be with us.

SK & C represents the new wave in print publishing, bridging the gap between traditional trade publishers and vanity presses. Accordingly, we work with authors in every step of making a book — from concept to finished product — offering a menu of services that includes manuscript preparation (ghostwriting, co-writing, or editing), page layout, cover design, printing supervision, and even creation and design of promotional materials.

But who, really, are Schmidt Kaye and Company?

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"Honest, Mom, I was just washing it!"

Ron Kaye is a writer, editor, graphic designer and marketing / promotional consultant with nearly thirty years of experience in a corporate environment and as a free-lancer.

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His years on the corporate fast track are balanced by his experience as an independent contractor, providing him with a fresh perspective on communicating with highly diversified demographic elements. He possesses a keen business sense, along with a deep commitment to the concept of client advocacy, and is never hesitant to "go toe to toe with anybody on behalf of my clients."

Among Ron's many projects are D.E.P.T.H. of Behavior: The Truth About Weight Loss, by Dr. Tom Nicoli, one of the world's most successful certified hypnotists; and Winning The Referral Game by Genie Fuller, who has often been called "the dean of networking." You can find out more about both of these books on our Clients/News page.

Ron also did the bulk of the editing, as well as layout, graphic design and production oversight for football legend Earl Campbell's authorized biography, The Tyler Rose. Ron was the founding president of the Authors & Publishers Association (APA; formerly the Association of Authors and Publishers, and before that, the Houston Publishers and Authors Association); he served four terms in this capacity, and is currently serving again as interim president. APA is devoted to perpetuating and elevating the craft of book production and marketing, and to simplifying and demystifying the publication process for all authors. In his "night job," Ron is a meditation teacher and author of the forthcoming book, You Can't Get There From Here-- But That's Okay; You Never Really Left (Houston, Moonshadow Press). When not writing or designing books, Ron can be found in the company of his "Italian girlfriend," a bright red Moto Guzzi Jackal.

Got a book design project? Give Ron a holler. (713) 463-9263

Coming soon... more photos of Ron, if Connie can ever pry the digicam out of his hands!

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No, look closer. That's the INDEX finger.

Connie Schmidt, who describes herself as having "a passion, bordering on an obsession, for the printed word," is a writer, editor and graphic designer.

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Having spent several years as a copywriter, newsletter editor and publicist at the in-house ad agency of a consumer electronics corporation, Connie has been an independent service provider since the late eighties. She has produced ads, brochures, newsletters and other promotional material for a wide variety of clients - from computer geniuses to artists to clinical psychologists to private detectives.

In the past dozen or so years, however, she has become increasingly involved in the writing, editing and design of books. Among many editing projects are Finding A Keeper: A Handbook For Single Women Over 35 In Search Of Mr. Right, by Myra Kaplan; and Out Of The Blue ~ "Clay It Forward" by Jeannie Holleman, an unauthorized tribute to former American Idol star Clay Aiken and his passionate fans. (The latter book has caused quite a stir lately on some of the Clay fan boards; SOMEONE doesn't want to see it published. Hmmm......) One of Connie's favorite projects from a few years back was Cracking the Love Code: Six Proven Principles to Find and Keep Real Love With the Right Person, a book by relationship expert and "Love Coach" Janet O'Neal, who founded the video dating service Friend Connection. Cracking the Love Code was initially self-published, was very successful, and was picked up by Broadway Books, a division of Bantam Doubleday Dell.

In her "night job," Connie is a humorist. Several years ago she published a book, if you can call it that, titled, Cosmic Relief: Honoring and Celebrating the Global Paradigm Shaft (Houston: Misguided Angel Press), a parody of the New Age and other related aspects of contemporary culture. (Now a scintillating web site too...which, come to think of it, is badly in need of an update. For now, you'll have to forgive the dead / outdated links and all...hopefully they aren't smelling up the place too terribly...but at least the Bad Poetry is still good; it has a long shelf life.)

Got a ghostwriting project? Connie is waiting for your call. (713) 463-9263

Below: Connie & Ron with client Joseph "Doc Joe" Agris, M.D., who is one of the Bayou City's most renowned cosmetic surgeons and one of the world's busiest "medical missionaries." He's also an acclaimed photographer and author, his most recent book being White Knight In Blue Shades, the authorized biography of TV personality and consumer advocate Marvin Zindler.

But who is/are "& Company?"

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Shown above as a mere pup is Rex, our 100% purebred Doberweilerdor (Doberman/Rottweiler/Black Labrador mix). Rex was a rescue dog, adopted through the Homeless Pet Placement League of Houston. He is much bigger now and weighs more than Connie. He keeps us safe from dangerous UPS men and anyone else who dares to ring our doorbell. (Religious solicitors beware! :-)) But he's always open to phone calls from clients who need ghostwriting, editing or book design! Call him or us at (713) 463-9263.

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Below is an old photo of Ron with his pal Jim. He hopes someday to have another mule...but then, considering how stubborn Connie can be, who needs a mule? :-)

Thinking of hiring a ghostwriter, editor or other type of literary collaborator? Don't be afraid, but do be realistic in your expectations. Do yourself and your book a favor, and find out What To Expect When You Hire a Literary Collaborator.

Well, there are those assorted quadrupeds who share our home office, such as Rex over there on the left, but frankly, we can't get 'em to do much with books except eat them. We believe in hiring from within, but in this case it just wasn't feasible, so we have chosen to outsource instead (but not to India -- not yet, anyway).

To this end, we maintain a network of associates - other writers, editors, artists, designers, marketing specialists and, of course, service bureaus and printers, whose talent and expertise we draw upon as necessary. In other words, if we don't do it, or if we're simply too swamped to handle your project, we'll find someone for you who can.

Above: Connie with her personal assistant / bodyguard.

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Below: Connie & Ron at a recent Ghostwriters' Convention...hmmm...the poster maker left a couple of letters off of the word, "Books"... Actually, this was taken at a fairly recent Halloween party. Connie went as herself, and Ron went as one or more of the Village People.

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HERE ARE SOME OF OUR CLIENTS...

Want more information? Give us a call at (713) 463-9263 (serious inquiries only, please).

We recommend that before calling,
you read all of the pages linked on the Reality Checks page,
as well as our Fees page.

Or e-mail us at moonshad@swbell.net

Or send us a snail mail:
8919 Friendship Road
Houston, Texas 77080-4111

SCHMIDT KAYE & COMPANY PROFESSIONAL LITERARY SERVICES
Ron Kaye & Connie L. Schmidt
8919 Friendship Road • Houston TX USA 77080-4111 • (713) 463-9263 • 9AM-5PM Central Time M-F
e-mail: moonshad@swbell.net