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The AdventureKEEN Blog
Meet Molly Merkle – AdventureKEEN Publisher
![Blog_molly_publisher2023 Blog_molly_publisher2023](https://s13518.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Blog_molly_publisher2023.jpg)
Meeting authors is one of Merkle’s favorite responsibilities as publisher.
![Molly_SuzanneWelander Molly Merkle, Publisher, Suzanne Welander, author, and Trenton Foston, Marketing, all pose for a photo during a meeting in Atlanta, GA.](https://s13518.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Molly_SuzanneWelander.jpg)
![Molly_Stan Molly met with author and nature photographer Stan Tekiela in Minnesota.](https://s13518.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Molly_Stan.jpg)
![Molly_CaryJGriffith Molly, Brett Ortler, Acquisitions Editor, and Cary J. Griffith, author of the Sam Rivers thriller series, met in Minnesota during a book signing.](https://s13518.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Molly_CaryJGriffith.jpg)
Bob Sehlinger, co-founder of AdventureKEEN and publisher of The Unofficial Guides, said, “For years, we’ve counted on Molly’s vision for growth, addressing the needs of our readers, and nurturing the extraordinary people who work for the company. Through the hardships and challenges that are a fact of life in entrepreneurial publishing, Molly has been our rock: mission-oriented and unflappable. She has also been our leader, our head of house, in all except title. Now she deservedly wears the mantle of publisher.”
Merkle started her career with the company more than 30 years ago and has excelled at cultivating relationships and developing books that are a good match for the company’s editorial and sales capabilities. “We are proud to be an indie press in mutuality with indie book and specialty retailers who support our program,” Merkle said.
While Merkle retains COO responsibilities for development of the publishing program and heading up the company’s leadership team, she will focus on AdventureKEEN’s partnerships and author support through her role as publisher. It’s a role she has already proven fit for.
“We expect that Molly will continue her organizational excellence as our publisher, just as she mastered every position that she held prior. The company is thriving as readers discover the health benefits of engaging with nature, and she’s a big part of that success,” said Richard Hunt, president and co-founder of AdventureKEEN.
Merkle’s work to build a collaborative, nimble, and diverse workforce in support of the growing enterprise is essential for AdventureKEEN’s future. “It’s a terrific privilege to work with this team we have built, and I’m looking forward to the good work we can continue to do at the intersection of the book publishing, conservation, and outdoor recreation industries,” Merkle said. “We see real value in our publishing program and are passionate about the books we publish and messages we are putting out into the world.”
About AdventureKEEN: The company’s founding dates back more than 40 years, guided then and now by a love of being in the woods and on the water, by a passion for reading and books, and by the sense of wonder and discovery made possible by spending time recreating outdoors in beautiful places. AdventureKEEN’s mission is to share that wonder and fun with its readers, especially with those who haven’t yet experienced all the physical and mental health benefits that nature and outdoor activity can bring. In addition, AdventureKEEN strives to teach about recreating responsibly so that the natural resources and habitats we all cherish and rely on will be available for future generations.
AdventureKEEN is excited to share this announcement and to improve how we serve our authors, accounts, and readers. Join us as we celebrate and look down the trail to what lies ahead.
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Upcoming Author Events for October 2022
There are so many wonderful author events all around the country this October. Whether you’re looking for some spooky fun in New England, paddling the rivers across the state of Georgia, or pitching a tent with your family in Colorado, our authors are out there hoping to meet you and hear about your experiences. Check out the list of author events to see if any are happening near you!
Author L’Aura Hladik will be giving presentations and signing her two books: Ghosthunting New York City and Ghosthunting New Jersey.
- October 1: Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library, Brick, NJ, at 3 p.m.
- October 3: Hunterdon County Library System, Flemington, NJ, at 7 p.m.
- October 6: Gloucester County Library, Gibbstown, NJ, at 6:30 p.m.
- October 8: Ocean County Library, Toms River, NJ, at 3 p.m.
- October 13: Middletown Twp. Public Library, Middletown, NJ, at 7 p.m.
- October 16: Parsippany-Troy Hills Library, Parsippany, NJ, at 2 p.m.
- October 17: Emmaus Public Library, Emmaus, PA, at 6 p.m.
- October 27: Old Bridge Public Library, Old Bridge, NJ, at 7 p.m.
- October 29: Plumstead Branch of Ocean County Library, New Egypt, NJ, at 12 p.m.
Author Jeff Morris will give presentations and sign his books: Cincinnati Haunted Handbook, Nashville Haunted Handbook, Twin Cities Haunted Handbook, and Chicago Haunted Handbook.
- October 3: Delhi (Cincinnati) library at 7 p.m.
- October 25: Oakley Library (Cincinnati) at 6:30 p.m.
John Kachuba, author of Ghosthunting Ohio and Ghosthunting Ohio, on the Road Again will be signing books and attending author fairs.
- October 11: Cincinnati Public Library, Anderson Branch, Cincinnati, OH, at 7 p.m.
- October 15: Licking County Library, Newark, OH, 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
- October 20: Cincinnati Public Library, Madeira Branch, Madeira, OH, at 7 p.m.
- October 25: Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY, at 6:30 p.m.
- October 27: University of Cincinnati Emeriti meeting, Cincinnati, OH, at noon
Coauthors Kathryn and William Mayo will be signing their book The Mysterious North Shore of Lake Superior.
- October 1: Barnes & Noble, Miller Hill Mall, from noon until 2 p.m.
- October 8: Fitgers, in Duluth, from noon until 2 p.m.
The amazingly talented watercolor artist and Drawn to Birds author Jenny deFouw Geuder will be giving a talk and holding a book signing.
- October 8: Herrick District Library, at 10 a.m.
Paddling author Suzanne Welander will lead an afternoon paddle and sign her book Canoeing & Kayaking Georgia.
- October 27: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 2-5:30 p.m.
Out west, camping and outdoors author Monica Stockbridge will be signing her book Best Tent Camping: Colorado.
- October 29: REI Denver, Adventure Station, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
![feature_Trenton_Foston Trenton Foston](https://s13518.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/feature_Trenton_Foston.jpg)
Welcome our Newest Marketing Team Member
It’s the people who make AdventureKEEN exciting and fun, no matter which department they’re working in or what part of the country they call home. Get to know the members of AdventureKEEN through their day-to-day jobs, as well as their favorite things to pack for a hike.
We’d like to introduce you to Trenton Foston, the newest member of the AdventureKEEN Marketing Team. Trenton has lots of experience in digital marketing and brings a rich blend of skills. We’re so happy that he has joined AdventureKEEN!
In the coming weeks, he’ll start working closely with our imprints and authors to help spread the word about new titles, old favorites, and upcoming author events. Trenton is a terrific fit here and is already making a positive impact around the office in Birmingham.
So, if you see Trenton at a show, event, or even online, say “Hi!”
Welcome, Trenton!
#bewellbeoutdoors
![feature_Kimber_Natalie feature_Kimber_Natalie](https://s13518.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/feature_Kimber_Natalie.jpg)
Welcome New AdventureKEEN Team Members
It’s the people who make AdventureKEEN exciting and fun, no matter which department they’re working in or what part of the country they call home. Get to know the members of AdventureKEEN through their day-to-day jobs, as well as their favorite things to pack for a hike.
Kimber Sherrod, our new Account Manager, will be covering much of the Southwest and West. It’s a role she’s looking forward to filling, especially for the “opportunities to meet new people and motivate them to explore the gifts from Spirit Nature.”
Her positive attitude and joy for life would be an asset anywhere. And when it comes to a weekend hike, she makes sure she brings a few need-to-have items along.
“I always pack first aid supplies, Benadryl, and, of course, snacks!” Kimber says.
Natalie Blankenship is AdventureKEEN’s new Online Product Manager. Natalie focuses on making sure our website is helping our online customers. This includes everything from passing along order tracking information, sharing coupon codes, and building out our growing newsletter The Goods.
Natalie’s focus on helping others extends to her pack, as well, especially when she’s planning a hike with her dog, Halli.
“If I’m out walking/hiking, Halli is always going to be with me, so my pack will include her travel water bowl, leash, and enough water for both of us!” says Natalie.
Those are two of the newer faces around the AdventureKEEN offices. With their energy and sights set on serving account and website customers, you might just bump into one of them soon. Be sure to tell them hello!
Shop Local Live Local Donates Money to BINC and Indie Bookstores
We are so excited to share the results of last year’s SHOP LOCAL, LIVE LOCAL campaign, in support of BINC and independent bookstores. In 2021, AdventureKEEN and indie bookstores raised a total of $10,381 for the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc). A matching $10,381 is being dispersed and mailed to 303 participating independent bookstores.
From AdventureKEEN President Richard Hunt: “If there’s a maxim that all booksellers and publishers endorse, it’s that reading is good for everyone. Thankfully, there is a group that defends the good work of independent bookstores and comic shops across America: Binc, superheroes of the book biz. Every year at about this time, as the cold, gray days of winter weigh upon us, we get to tally the SHOP LOCAL, LIVE LOCAL donations, and voilà—everything brightens and warms. We look forward to continuing our commitment to Binc and indie booksellers for years to come.”
Pam French, Executive Director of Binc, adds, “Richard and the team at AdventureKEEN are inspiring partners in our mission to help booksellers who are hit with a financial need from severe hardship or emergency. We’re grateful for AdventureKEEN’s long-standing advocacy and support of booksellers. Their support through the SHOP LOCAL, LIVE LOCAL campaign not only provides a generous donation to Binc, but AdventureKEEN is also sending a give-back to the stores who participated in the program in 2021. Thank you for spreading good across the country, and for demonstrating that when we work together and support each other, our communities thrive.”
The Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that coordinates charitable programs to strengthen the bookselling and comic bookstore retailing communities. Established in 1996, the core program provides assistance to bookstore and comic bookstore owners and their employees who have demonstrated financial needs arising from severe hardship and/or emergency circumstances. Since its inception, the organization has provided over $11 million in financial assistance and scholarships to more than 10,000 families. Support for the Foundation’s programs and services comes from all sectors of the book and comic industries. The Foundation was imagined and built by booksellers and proudly continues to be their safety net. It is Binc’s vision to continue to build a caring community of book and comic sellers. Additional information can be found at bincfoundation.org.
Through SHOP LOCAL, LIVE LOCAL, AdventureKEEN hopes to help readers find new outdoors activities and to reinforce the importance of shopping locally. The goal of the program is to enlarge the scope of support to Binc and provide an equal-dollar benefit to all participating bookstores. AdventureKEEN understands, emotionally and financially, especially after the past 2 years, the operational challenges and intrinsic rewards of selling books. Independent bookstores and independent publishers add immeasurably to their communities; it is amazing what book lovers can accomplish together. AdventureKEEN is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to donate to Binc again this year. We invite you to join our SHOP LOCAL, LIVE LOCAL campaign.
Any bookstore looking to participate in SHOP LOCAL, LIVE LOCAL can sign up here.
AdventureKEEN Founder & Publisher Inducted into Paddlesports Hall of Fame
This is such a strong way to finish out the year! This upcoming weekend the Southern Appalachian Paddlesports Museum (SAPM) will host their 2021 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This year Bob Sehlinger (Hoover/Inverness), who is currently owner & publisher of AdventureKEEN based in Birmingham, AL, will be inducted as part of the inaugural class. The induction ceremony will take place at the Southern Appalachian Museum in Asheville, NC.
Administered by the SAPM, the Southern Whitewater Hall of Fame “honors more than fifty heroes of our sport—Innovators, Pioneers, and Leaders—who have made it so that our region has become a worldwide mecca of whitewater paddling.
To merit induction, a nominee must have exhibited one or more of the following qualities in ways that have profoundly and positively impacted the sport of whitewater paddling in the Southern Appalachians: As an INNOVATOR by creating new methods, technologies, or products; as a LEADER among people in organizations or movements; or as a PIONEER who defined new pathways for others to follow, particularly in paddling sport.”
Bob Sehlinger has years of experience as a paddling guide and as a publisher and guidebook author, since moving to Birmingham, AL in 1982. Sehlinger is being recognized as the founder of SAGE, Inc., a provider of outdoor skills courses to thousands, and as an early leader in the outfitting industry, including serving as president of Eastern Professional River Outfitters Association. He is also the author of five guidebooks on canoeing and kayaking.AdventureKEEN is a leading independent outdoor activity and nature book publisher based in Birmingham. Sehlinger has guided the company through a long period of growth since founding his original outdoor publishing imprint, Menasha Ridge Press