Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Newhouse.
All right, thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My Dad has been a children’s books writer as a hobby (he was an award-winning teacher for work) for decades, including having one book series (The Rockhound Science Mysteries) that was published and being shopped to Discovery Channel for a TV cartoon (Britney Spears’ lawyer was representing him). So when the publishing company went bankrupt, and the deal fell through, my Dad decided to start his own publishing company. For years, he ran it as a hobby. He’s always been an incredible teacher, presenter, and father, but he never really had a business acumen (he loved just giving books away – seeing kids smile was his payment).
He knew however that I had an entrepreneurial spirit and would occasionally suggest that I take it over. I was always very happy in my job (I design online graduate courses for colleges across the country) and didn’t feel like publishing would be of interest (I also keep extremely busy with volunteer work and performing in musical theatre/opera). Then, I realized how running a publishing company could be a way to give back to the world.
I called Dad one night with curiosity, and we started planning together. Once we knew we were on to something, we created an official L.L.C., Newhouse Creative Group, dedicated not only to “inspiring the readers and writers of today and tomorrow” but to giving back through publishing. Most of our books give back to the world either through their message or financially or both (My book, for example, My Tío’s Pulse, a picture book about the Pulse Nightclub tragedy, donates all of the profit back to charity).
Since then, we’ve found an author family of 20+ traditionally published authors, created a set of affordable professional self-publishing services, and have given back thousands to various charities throughout the country. This interview actually comes at a perfect time as we’ve just expanded through purchasing an almost 100-year-old publishing company.
Hastings House was founded in 1936 and, over the years, has had quite a reputation, including authors like Jack Lalanne as well as their Daytrips series and holding the rights to over 625 books (I have the card catalogs sitting in my garage with every title on them. I’m currently working on scanning them all in)! Unfortunately, the company has gone through some bankruptcies since then; many of its books have gone out of print, and its reputation is not what it used to be. By taking the company under the Newhouse Creative Group umbrella, I’m thrilled to be given the chance to revive its reputation and look forward to seeing what the future holds. I’ve been in touch with a few of the original authors and have some exciting plans in the pipeline already, including updates to the Daytrips series!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges is finding good help who will stick around. As a small business, hiring full-time staff is not an easy task. Like any business owner, I’m always saying, “I need another me!” I’ve been very lucky with my contractors, including a fantastic social media manager who I found through an apprenticeship program and have since hired for her services, but there’s always so much work and never enough hours to get it done!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Newhouse Creative Group?
Newhouse Creative Group is inspiring the readers and writers of today and tomorrow! As an award-winning publisher and creative firm, we pride ourselves on how much we’re able to give back to the world through the publishing industry. Our traditionally published books from our NCG Author Family aim to entertain and educate. We select our traditionally published authors and books because of the message they bring. Our children’s educational imprint, AimHi Press, offers books for kids and parents to help them laugh and see the world as a place where they can “AimHi” and learn without even realizing it! Our adult imprints offer innovative ideas and stories. Whether looking for a tool to help adults with memory recall or a short humorous anecdote to share with the family, NCG has you covered!
NCG ImPress Self-Publishing Services offers affordable professional self-publishing services for anyone. We believe that everyone has a story to tell, and NCG ImPress wants to make your publishing dreams come true! Using a streamlined system allows us to publish your work in a professional way that will cost you a fraction of what other self-publishers charge. Whether starting to plan your first book or marketing a series of published works, NCG Author Services has the tools to help you with everything an author needs to be successful.
Our newest division, NCG Training and Education, offers an opportunity to take yourself as an author to the next level by helping you create an online course to accompany your book. Online courses are a great way to gather additional income from your books, build a community of readers, and show your expertise. With my background in learning design, I’ll make sure your course is the best!
What I’m most proud of, though, is NCG Cares Newhouse Creative Group cares about our schools, children, and communities. That’s why a major part of our business is about giving back. Through NCG Cares, we’re partnering with others who want to make a difference in the lives of children. With programs like My Tío’s Pulse and NCG Earn and Learn, we’re “inspiring the readers and writers of today and tomorrow” and helping them succeed! Whether donating books and dreidels to an elementary school to teach about Hanukkah, partnering with a foundation researching Loons, or just giving back to a variety of charities, This is why we started NCG and why we continue to care! Have an idea of how we can work with you or your group? Let us know!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Along with my own performing in theatre, I’ve written and produced award-winning shows for the Orlando Fringe Festival! Selling Out: The Musical won the 2021 Patrons Pick as well as the “Most Nudiest” award of the Fringe and was a sold-out production. A lesser-known production (as I only did two performances) was my autobiographical coming out story told through Karaoke, Clive Long, at the Pegasus Gay Filipino Karaoke Club. I think it was 2018, and we performed at Breakthrough Theatre, which was a fringe venue.
Pricing:
- Books starting at $9.95
- eBooks starting at $4.99
- ImPress Self-Publishing Services starting at $497
- NCG Author Marketing Kit – $500 Introductory Offer
Contact Info:
- Website: NewhouseCreativeGroup.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/newhousecreativegroup
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/newhousecreativegroup
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithnewhouse/
Image Credits
Carsten Basile
