Natalie Bahm's Blog, page 2

Do You Stick to Your Genre?

Over the past few weeks I've been reading two very different books.  Both are by really big, extremely talented authors (and though I'm not going to name them, you can probably guess who...).  
One of these books is a brilliant conclusion to a brilliant series.  The author did what she does best and wrote a book every one of her fans will love.  I devoured every page.
The other book is a complete departure from what the author normally writes.  I pretty much hated it, and even though I'm the sort of reader who ALWAYS finishes what I start, I couldn't plow through this one.  I knew it would be different from what she'd written before, but it was TOO different for me.
A few years ago I went to a workshop about building a successful writing career.  The author talked about how she' never been able to stick with a genre.  She'd bounced all over from children's books to adult literary fiction.  She sold them all to different publishers and thought she was doing pretty well.  She loved each book and was excited to see all of them find places on bookstore shelves.  
She said it was a terrible career move.  The fans of one book didn't like (or didn't read) the others. So even though she had multiple books out, none did very well.  
I've toyed with writing different genres.  I normally write contemporary MG, but I've tried fantasy too. I have a dystopian YA that I think is kind of good.  I once dreamed of writing adults literary fiction.  
There are a few authors who are successful in more than one genre--like Shannon Hale and Neil Gaiman. But I think it's hard to do well.
Do you write in one genre or many?  Will you stick to a genre after you have a book or two published?

The Story I'm Afraid to Write

A few weeks ago, my brother asked me why I'd never written a serious story--particularly something about a sick baby.  I have real-life experience (with my little boy, Jayden, and my twin sisters who were born very premature), and maybe I could write something really meaningful.

I told him, I don't write stories like that because I don't want to relive any of the time when my baby was sick.  I've spent two years piling happy memories on top of the ones from the hospital, hoping they'd fade.  I write light, fun stories because that's where my mind wants to spend its time.

My brother nodded and let it go, but I couldn't stop thinking about what he'd said.

Then I had an idea for a book unlike any I've written so far. A serious book.  A book that would challenge me emotionally.

I've barely started and already I've ended every writing session in tears. The research is really, really difficult and the story is the most personal thing I've ever written.  It's likely I won't make it to the end and, even if I do, it would be a miracle if it was the sort of book anyone actually wanted to read.  But it is the book of my heart, and I really believe it's what I need right now.

Is there a special book you want to write someday?  One you're afraid to start?

How Book Sales will Help Jayden

Hi everyone!

It's been quite the weekend.  Thank you to everyone who has bought a copy of The Secret Underground or tweeted/blogged/facebooked about it. I wish I could give all of you a big hug! Every single sale makes a difference to Jayden's family.


I thought I'd tell you about just one big expense that Jayden's parents have on a regular basis.

Most parents know that formula can be super expensive, it's not unusual for a family to spend $20-$40 a week just on formula. Jayden's health issues, combined with food allergies, make it difficult to find a formula his tummy can handle.  The only one he tolerates costs between $70 and $100 per week.  That's over $3500 a year just for formula.  This is one of many expenses that make it difficult for Jayden's parents to make ends meet.

My goal for the book is to raise enough money to buy Jayden's formula for a year. I don't have a lot of sales data yet, but I know that during the pre-order period we raised enough to cover ten days, so we've only got 355 to go. :)

I'm going to keep a running total on the sidebar, so you can check up to see how we're doing.

Thanks again for all the support.  I really do believe it will make a difference.



P.S. The paperback is FINALLY up on Amazon!  And the Kobo and Google eBooks are now available too.  All purchase links are on the sidebar.

THE SECRET UNDERGROUND releases today!

Well, we're here.

Today The Secret Underground is available for purchase, and every single penny of profit will go to Baby Jayden and his family.  If you haven't heard about the project yet, watch this short video.


We're still working out glitches at a couple retailers. These are the places where it will be. The highlighted stores are live now.  I'll update as more sites go live.

The eBook is available on:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
Google
Kobo
Sony
Overdrive

The paperback is available on:

Amazon
CreateSpace eStore

Coming soon to most other online booksellers.

The audiobook is available on:
iTunes
Amazon
Audible

Thank you so much for all of your support.  It has meant so much to me and so much to Jayden's family too.

Last Minute Jitters

The Secret Underground comes out FRIDAY!!!

People keep asking me if I'm excited.  I attempt to smile and nod, but to be honest I'm way more terrified than excited.  I feel like I have a billion emotions about the book release and many of them are conflicting.

I want the book to do well for Jayden.  I want people to buy it and read it and leave reviews and tell their friends.

But I'm also really scared to have it out in the world where people can buy it and read and hate it and leave really mean one star reviews and tell their friends it sucks.

Yep.  It's a fun place to be. I'm wondering if this is how all authors feel.

Details

I've had the worst time staying on top of everything these past few weeks.  I've been trying to finish recording the audiobook and also trying to write blog posts for the kind-of-sort-of blog tour that's happening right now. Because of this, there's a few details I've probably forgotten to share.



Jayden is in the hospital right now.  He's doing okay, but he could definitely use some good thoughts and prayers.


A lovely blogger, Heather Kelly is hosting a Write-a-thon on September 28th to celebrate the release and maybe raise a little money for Jayden.  Join in!  It should be fun.


The eBook version of The Secret Underground is available for preorder on Amazon and iTunes. You'll be able to purchase it at all online book sellers (Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Google, Sony, Kobo, Overdrive, etc.) on September 28th.


The print version will be available on September 28th on Amazon (and maybe a few others).  We're working on getting it to every major online book seller (you should even be able to order from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore).  That should happen in the next month or two, hopefully in time for holiday shopping. 


The audiobook will be available through Amazon, Audible, and iTunes.  If all goes well, it should be up and ready by the 28th too.
That's about all!  I'm going to try to get some links on the sidebar for the blog tour posts.  Thank you so much for all the support!

Why

I've had some people ask me why I "picked" Jayden's family to get the profits from the book.  Why didn't I support some charity that helps a lot of people, instead just one little boy?


This is my answer:

Two years ago I had my fourth baby. He spent two weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.


I am convinced that there is nothing more difficult for a parent than watching a child suffer.  Those two weeks were the hardest of my life.  I've never cried so much or prayed so hard.

Today, my son turns 2. He is healthy and happy. I don't have to worry that he'll stop breathing or that he'll get a cold or flu that could end his life.




Jayden's parents still have to worry about those things.  They've lived two years never knowing if they'd have their precious baby one more day.  
I can't fix Jayden's problems.  I can't make him better. But I can do something to ease his parents worries.
I know it's not some grand cause, but it is a cause (and a family) I believe in.  I think maybe Emily Dickinson said it best:

If I can stop one heart from breaking,I shall not live in vain;If I can ease one life the aching,Or cool one pain,Or help one fainting robinUnto his nest again,I shall not live in vain.

What do you believe in?  What cause (or person) are you passionate about?  

Getting the Word Out

My super sweet friend and critique partner posted about The Secret Underground today.  It's also the first place you can see the book trailer (that isn't really a book trailer).  Please check it out here!

Social Networks: Which Ones Do You Need?

Thank you all so much for the kind words, congratulations, pre-orders, and especially for spreading the word about The Secret Underground! I'm so excited about this book.  It's a story I really love, and I hope others will enjoy it too.  Plus, I'm hopeful its sales will help out Jayden's family.

It's will be available on NetGalley for the next month.  If you'd like to review a copy please check it out!


For the past 3 years I've tried to keep my social networking simple.  I blogged (occasionally), I tweeted, and that's all I did. Even those two things felt like too much sometimes. It wasn't hard to resist the urge to join Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, Tumblr, LinkedIn or any of the other cool new networks.

I thought I was doing just fine with what I had.

Then I had a book coming out.

When I told some of my published author friends about The Secret Underground, their very first advice was, "You need to get on Facebook and Goodreads."

Then they explained that while I've been able to make writer friends through blogging and twitter, READERS don't hang out (much) in either of those places.  When I tried to explain that I doubt my target audience (9- to 13-year-olds) hangs out on any social network, my friends countered that while most kids don't have Facebook or Goodreads accounts, their parents, teachers, and librarians do.

I have smart friends.

So, convinced it was something I had to do, I opened Facebook and Goodreads accounts last week.  Now I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner.  It's probably not a great idea to start something new right before a book comes out.  It's tough to learn how the networks function while also trying to make friends. I have a feeling neither will be very respectable for months (or even years) yet.

The moral of this story:  START NOW.  Most networks don't take that much time and you'll be grateful to have friendships established when you have a book to sell someday.

How many social networks do you use?  Which ones do you get the most out of? Which ones are a waste of time?  (Please tell me!  I need to know.)


P.S.  If you friend me on Facebook or Goodreads, or add The Secret Underground to your Goodreads bookshelf,  I'll love you forever!

BIG News

Things have been a bit crazy around here, and I'm about to tell you why...


I am thrilled to announce my first book, The Secret Underground, will be released September 28!


The Secret Underground is a middle grade adventure about a girl named Ally who discovers all the boys in her neighborhood are digging a tunnel to an abandoned steel mill.

My family and I have decided to donate 100% of the profits from this book to baby Jayden and his family. Most of you probably know a bit about Jayden, since we did an auction for him earlier this year, but for those of you who don't, here is his story:


Jayden was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, just before the horrible earthquake in February 2011 that killed 182 people. He suffers from a combination of congenital problems including Hirschsprung's disease.  Because of this he's been through many serious surgeries during his short life.  He's almost died multiple times, but he's a strong little guy and whenever things look bleakest, he rallies and shows his doctors and family that he will fight to hang on. His family recently moved to Australia in order to be closer to a hospital that could handle his care.  They've been through SO MUCH.  Along with the stress and anxiety of dealing with Jayden's condition, they are also struggling financially because of the massive burden of caring for a chronically ill child. For more details check out his blog.


To support Jayden, my agent has helped me put together the perfect book package. We've worked together to create a print book and ebook (and probably even an audio book) that can be marketed 100% as a fundraiser. It's been quite an exciting (and busy) experiment! 

You can pre-order the eBook on Amazon and Apple.  It will be available at all other online book outlets (Nook, Kobo, Sony, etc.) soon. The print version should be available for pre-order on Amazon in the next few weeks and later this fall you'll be able to walk into to any bookstore and order a copy.

I'm so excited about this project and so happy to be able to do this small thing for Jayden's family. 

Stay tuned!  I'll be posting many more details in the coming weeks. 

Or, if you NEED to know more now, feel free to visit my website.