Kim Gottlieb-Walker ’68
After a 50-year career as a photographer and two successful coffeetable photography books (“On Set with John Carpenter” and “Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae”), Kim Gottlieb-Walker ’68 has recently published her first novel, “Lenswoman in Love – a novel of the 1960s & ’70s.”
Gottlieb-Walker began her career as a photographer shooting UCLA guest speakers, including Daniel Ellsberg, Shirley Chisholm and Dr. Spock, and often shot the photos to accompany underground press articles on Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and others for film-school teacher, Bill Kerby, in the late ’60s.
The novel is Loosely based on her early career, but reimagined as a coming-of-age, second-chance romance. A synopsis:
While at UCLA, fearless young photographer Maddy Garfield shoots love-ins and police riots in the turbulent 1960s, and after graduation, deals with bikers, rock stars, arrogant diplomats, egotistical actors, and enigmatic Rastas in the ’70s. But every time she encounters the charismatic-but-elusive future director who gave her a mind-blowing first kiss, her desire grows, fueling her unfulfilled fantasies. When she finally works on a Western he’s directing in Colorado, will she finally have her second chance with her first love or will her imperative to always “get the shot” jeopardizes her career and the life of the man she loves?
“Lenswoman in Love” provides an insider’s view of the most colorful and creative decade of the twentieth century. It will resonate deeply with those who experienced those vibrant times — and anyone who wishes they had.
The novel has won over a dozen awards, including:
First place winner in the International Impact Awards for women’s fiction, historical fiction, historical romance and female empowerment;
First place in the National Indie Excellence Award for romance;
Penmaster Award for best debut novel of 2025;
Winner in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards for romance;
National Honor Alliance Literary Awards winner of category awards for fiction–romance and fiction–historical and fiction book of the year
It has also received praise from reviewers and readers:
“Kim was my still photographer for many years. She was a great photographer and she’s equally good at writing novels. “Lenswoman in Love is a blast.” — John Carpenter, director.
“It’s no surprise that Kim Gottlieb-Walker’s wonderful “Lenswoman in Love” is as soulful and true as her much-lauded work in photography. Gorgeous with detail and gloriously filled with heart and adventure, this is the literary equivalent of a great song with the kind of magic that lingers for days.” — Cameron Crowe, filmmaker and rock journalist. “…a rich evocation of another time — the ’60s and ’70s, from the West Coast to Swinging London — seen through the eyes of a passionate and talented young photographer. Her camera takes her inside recording studios and onto film sets, and her heart takes her on a journey of soulful self-discovery…” — Steven Rea, author of “The Hollywood Book Club”