Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Johnson.
Kyle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The story of Dapper Moose Entertainment doesn’t start off in a happy place. You see, I had been battling a mystery illness that caused excruciating pain in my lower back and tailbone area. During that time, I was a social studies teacher in the city. My illness finally took me out of teaching for good in January of 2018. My son, Henry, was only a few months old. I haven’t been able to go back to teaching since.
For almost two years, I was depressed and suicidal because of my illness. It completely changed my life. Therapy helped me get my head right, and in October of 2019, I started developing my business while flat on my back.
I was previously a journalist (reporter and copy editor), so I returned to what I love doing: writing. For several years, writing had been my escape. It was my way of healing. It was my happy place. I wrote everything I could. After querying different projects to agents and publishers and receiving positive feedback, I decided to start my own publishing company. In July of 2020, I released my first book, The Cacklecoggler. It’s a touching picture book about kindness, understanding, and acceptance. I teamed up with a friend I made while teaching, Alex Hummel, who is supremely talented.
Our book has been highly regarded by parents, critics, kids, teachers, and librarians. It has really only been available online, but that’s all changing soon. Our books are soon going to be available in local bookstores, gift shops, libraries, and a number of other exciting outlets.
This year is a monumental year for my business. Later this spring, after some more funding becomes available, Dapper Moose Entertainment is releasing its newest children’s book, Mouse the Cat. This picture book is a heartwarming tale of finding where you belong. Then, in the fall, I’ll be releasing my adult mystery, Harm Limitation. The first book in the Downey O’Shea series is about what a rookie reporter chasing a story does after the story starts chasing her back. Full of thrills, ethical dilemmas, and twists, Harm Limitation will quickly become a favorite of many avid readers.
There is so much more to talk about with the business. Whether it’s where I’ve been or where I’m going, I am happy to talk about it and share my story with others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I touched in this in the previous question, but health issues derailed my life. A mystery illness (likely autoimmune) rendered my disabled. I was depressed and suicidal for two years before I started planning for Dapper Moose Entertainment.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am proud that I can write a variety of genres and styles extremely well. There is a lot of versatility in my work. Right now, the first two books that I am publishing are picture books, but there are many other stories that will be released in the next few years. I have a number of stories completed and plan on writing more as time allows.
I am most proud of:
1. The quality of my products.
2. My heart. I have risen from the ashes, and I will not stop until I am successful.
3. My slogan is Changing. The. Game. and that’s exactly what I am doing. I do everything for my business except the illustrations. That means I write, design/layout the books, market the books, work with retailers, handle the shipping, run all the creative and financial aspects of the business. I do it all. And, it’s done extremely well.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Generally speaking, I loved family get-togethers. Laughing, having fun, playing games. All of that left a mark on my soul. That’s my goal for this business: to provide people with happiness and a means to forget about life for a while.
Pricing:
- The Cacklecoggler: $18.00
- Mouse the Cat: $18.00 (to be released later this spring)
- Originally designed shirts and apparel: starting at $14.00
Contact Info:
- Email: dappermooseinfo@gmail.com
- Website: DapperMooseEntertainment.com
- Instagram: @DapperMooseEntertainment
- Facebook: @DapperMooseEntertainment
- Twitter: @moose_dapper
- Youtube: @dappermoosebooksandgames
Image Credits
Kyle Johnson
Dapper Moose Entertainment
