Kira Henschel, owner of HenschelHAUS Publishing, has always had a passion for words, so it comes as no surprise that although her career began in technical translation, it would eventually lead to publishing.

After earning bachelor degrees in international relations and geology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Henschel moved to Innsbruck, Austria, in 1979, to take care of her grandmother. In 1984, she established her own technical translation company with 60 freelance translators working in 32 different languages. The team translated technical documents in the fields of engineering, business and geology, as well as several books on various topics, before she sold the agency in 1990.

In 1992, she returned to the United States and earned a master’s degree in engineering management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. From there, she worked for Siemens Power Generation as head of translations. After a few years, she craved something different—something that would fulfill her. By 1996, she had become the production manager for a small specialty publishing house, where she learned the craft and the business of the industry. However, she didn’t stop there.

In 1999, Henschel founded a business-coaching firm that eventually grew into a book publishing and consulting business. The company’s focus is to help individuals get ideas from their heads to the paper. “I’ve always been a teacher at heart,” explains Henschel. “Both of my parents were educators, and it is a role I always felt I could do. I liked sharing knowledge and enjoyed helping people, so it seemed a natural fit.”

As her knowledge grew, so did the company. Henschel notes that, “Eighty-two percent of the population want to write a book.” Her vocation has become to help make that happen. Today, HenschelHAUS Publishing is an independent traditional publishing house that has helped more than 220 authors to produce timely, high-quality books, e-books and audiobooks.

Henschel provides a wide range of services. In addition to offering a complimentary 30-minute session by phone or in person, she provides manuscript reviews, typesetting, book and cover design, editing, proofing, layout, marketing support and product distribution and fulfillment. One area that continues to grow is self-publisher consulting, as people increasingly turn to the Internet to publish their books.

At HenschelHAUS, Henschel helps not only private coaching clients to set measurable goals and follow a proven process to put their ideas to paper, but also guides new and experienced authors to navigate the publishing process and create viable marketing plans for their books—one of the most important aspects of the process.

“Being an author is really about going into business for yourself,” she explains. “It’s about putting yourself out there and making yourself public. It’s about marketing and social media. People really need to know what they are getting themselves into. My job is to make the book available. The marketing is up to them, as it is even with larger publishing companies.”

Henschel says that most of the people with whom she works, such as life coaches, consultants and presentation speakers, want to write a book to establish themselves as experts in their fields. HenschelHAUS also publishes works of fiction and memoirs for those interested in leaving behind a legacy, as well as customized publishing of select children’s books and poetry.

“I truly believe everybody has a story to tell,” she comments. “I’m here to provide objective feedback as to whether it’s publishable. If the theme is good, I can help people organize their thoughts and ideas and make it into the best book possible, while still preserving a client’s individuality.”

Henschel offers monthly workshops and free teleseminars dedicated to helping individuals get an insider’s view of the publishing process. She is also working on a book of her own, The Heart and Science of Successful Authorship, which will offer advice about the entrepreneurial side of becoming a published author.

The diversity of the people and content is inspirational to Henschel. “I am a lifelong learner, and every new person, every new book, is a learning experience. It keeps me passionate. Helping get people’s words out to the world is something I truly enjoy.”

HenschelHAUS Publishing is located at 2625 S. Greeley St., Ste. 201, in Milwaukee. For more information, call 414-486-0653 or visit HenschelHAUSBooks.com.