Kevin O’Donnell. File photo.

Kevin O’Donnell’s 2024 large-format book of photography and essays, Behind The Door: Profiles of a Peninsula, is the 2025 winner of the Next Generation Indie Book Award for Best Regional Book (Non-Fiction) by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group, Inc.

In addition, Behind The Door was a finalist in the category of Best Overall Design (Non-Fiction). The 184-page book chronicles Door County’s more obscure history, culture, traditions and people. O’Donnell is an author, photographer, YouTube content creator, storyteller and year-round resident of Clay Banks who contributes to the Peninsula Pulse and Door County Living.

“The author transports the reader to a world of breathtaking beauty and captivating stories,” the judges’ commentary read. “The large-format, meticulously crafted book has over 140 stunning photographs, complemented by 29 essays and poems, which provide a vibrant portrait of this unique Great Lakes peninsula in Door County. Behind The Door is a sensory invitation to fall in love with a place and its people.”

File photo.

Established in 2006, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards is the largest international awards program for indie authors and independent publishers. 

Behind The Door also received the 2025 IPPY Gold Medal Award from Independent Publishers in the category Cover Design, Large Format (Non-Fiction). The IPPY Awards are the longest-running unaffiliated contest open exclusively to universities, foundations and independently owned and operated publishers.

O’Donnell’s award-winning book was recently released in a softcover second edition. The book is the same size and format as the original hardcover, with updated essays and a few new photographs.

Behind The Door is locally available at Novel Bay Booksellers, Door County Maritime Museum, Cana Island, Death’s Door Museum, Write On, Door County, ARTicipation Studio and Gallery, Yardstick Books, The Belgian Delight, The Ridges Sanctuary, O’Meara’s Irish House, Maxwell’s House, Fair Isle Books and Kick Ash Coffee. It is also available online at kevinodonnell.photography.