About me:

Hey there! I’m K.D. Kemp, an archivist and writer living in Washington, D.C.

By day, I write code and explore emerging technologies to make archival records more accessible to people. I have a Master of Library and Information Science and I'm a Certified Archivist. Throughout my career, I've worked in school and public libraries, museums, as well as some other pretty cool places like the National Archives and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

I'm passionate about translating complex topics on science, technology, media, and history into accessible and engaging narratives for young readers. I have been interviewed as a subject matter expert by Rolling Stone, CNN, U.S. World News, and Smithsonian Magazine.

My current projects include a middle grade nonfiction book about Y2K and what it can teach us about today’s technology fears, as well as an upper middle grade mystery about a group of friends who investigate seemingly supernatural activity in their wild and strange hometown. Think Stranger Things meets The Babysitter's Club! Both my non-fiction and fiction strive to teach kids to be curious and think critically without losing their sense of wonder.

I’m available for work-for-hire, freelance, ghostwriting, and educational writing or consulting for early reader through middle grade. You can contact me at hello@kdkemp.com.

When I’m not working or writing, you’ll find me SCUBA diving, collecting physical media, repairing retro technology, or hitting the road with my 35mm camera. I’m passionate about media literacy, digital autonomy, and open access to information.

I’m on a mission to reclaim the Weird Wild Web that was built on exploration instead of exploitation. This website is an attempt to do that. It is a love letter to the old Internet, coded clumsily by hand, and modeled after many of the sites that I grew up with. It is ad-free, algorithm-free, and AI-free.

Press:

North Jersey News - First vinyl. Now CDs and DVDs. Are you ready for their return?

Rolling Stone - Physical Media is Cool Again. Streaming Services Have Themselves to Blame.

Smithsonian Magazine - The Animals That Helped Win World War I

Who I'd like to meet:

Kids who ask "why?" one too many times.

Teachers, librarians, and guardians looking for books that encourage kids to be skeptical without becoming cynical.

Anyone curious about a career in archives or libraries. I'm always happy to offer some guidance!

Literary agents who love middle-grade fiction and nonfiction with research-driven storytelling.

Physical media enthusiasts.

Guerrilla archivists and data hoarders.

Basically anyone who believes the internet can be weird and wonderful again.

Feel free to drop me a line at hello@kdkemp.com.