Rick Kaempfer

Back in the D.D.R is Rick Kaempfer’s 8th book, and his third novel. This one is personal, as it is loosely based on his own unusual childhood. Rick has previously written about his favorite baseball team (EveryCubEver), his former broadcasting career (The Radio Producer’s Handbook, Records Truly is My Middle Name, and $everance), and his humorous struggles with parenting (Father Knows Nothing). Kaempfer also teamed up with improvisation guru Brendan Sullivan to co-write a novel called The Living Wills using improvisational techniques. Rick is the co-publisher of Eckhartz Press (with David Stern), the media critic for the Illinois Entertainer, and the co-host of three podcasts, Minutia Men, Minutia Men Celebrity Interview, and Free Kicks (all with the Radio Misfits Podcast Network). Before turning to writing and publishing, Rick was the executive producer of two National Radio Hall of Fame shows based in Chicago, the Steve & Garry show (WLUP AM 1000) and the John Records Landecker show (WJMK). He is the father of three sons, and lives in suburban Chicago with his wife Bridget.